Question about 1804 British naval cutlass.

midelburgo · 2nd May 2023, 09:11 PM

I have been offered one of these cutlasses. It looks legit (measurements, weight) except that the inspector die is 12 under crown.

Annis and May say that all 1804s have inspector marks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8.

Does this still stand true?

The sword was with another one marked 8 under crown in a panoply.

Thanks.

Radboud · 2nd May 2023, 09:58 PM

It looks good to me. Can you post a photo of the inspector's mark?

midelburgo · 2nd May 2023, 10:18 PM

I have another picture.

And the other sword.

Radboud · 2nd May 2023, 11:45 PM

It might be that the 12 isn't an inspector's mark. It isn't unusual for these to be unmarked as well.

Maybe it was sold to a merchant ship? Only swords that went through the ordnance board inspection would have been stamped. Although that doesn't necessarily mean that it was Govt property since examples of private purchase cavalry officer swords that also have these stamps exist.

Rules and regulations were a lot more flexible in these times... I wouldn't let that stamp stop me from buying that 1804 all other things being equal. I'd prefer the other one, but more on the quality of the GR mark than anything else.

midelburgo · 3rd May 2023, 03:47 PM

Actually, at the end I am getting the 8 one.

CutlassCollector · 6th May 2023, 11:40 AM

Just caught up with this thread.
Yes I agree both these look good and I have not seen a 12 inspector's mark before either, but it looks like it could be one.

Remember, May and Annis were wading through centuries of paper documents back in 1970 (no web) so the fact that Viewer's Marks for 1, 3, 4, 6, and 8 were recorded as being made in 1788 does not rule out others.
In 1808 another 20,000 1804s were ordered. This order included four new manufacturers and in total there were nine companies recorded as making 1804s with only five of them linked to specific Marks by May and Annis.

It's a pity there is no clear crown above the 12 so we have to wait to see if another turns up. If it does this will be a rare cutlass!

2nd May 2023, 09:11 PM	#1
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 256	Question about 1804 British naval cutlass. I have been offered one of these cutlasses. It looks legit (measurements, weight) except that the inspector die is 12 under crown. Annis and May say that all 1804s have inspector marks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8. Does this still stand true? The sword was with another one marked 8 under crown in a panoply. Thanks. Attached Images Last edited by midelburgo; 2nd May 2023 at 09:26 PM.

2nd May 2023, 10:18 PM	#3
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 256	I have another picture. And the other sword. Attached Images

2nd May 2023, 09:58 PM	#2
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 261	It looks good to me. Can you post a photo of the inspector's mark?

2nd May 2023, 11:45 PM	#4
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 261	It might be that the 12 isn't an inspector's mark. It isn't unusual for these to be unmarked as well. Maybe it was sold to a merchant ship? Only swords that went through the ordnance board inspection would have been stamped. Although that doesn't necessarily mean that it was Govt property since examples of private purchase cavalry officer swords that also have these stamps exist. Rules and regulations were a lot more flexible in these times... I wouldn't let that stamp stop me from buying that 1804 all other things being equal. I'd prefer the other one, but more on the quality of the GR mark than anything else.

3rd May 2023, 03:47 PM	#5
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 256	Actually, at the end I am getting the 8 one.

6th May 2023, 11:40 AM	#6
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 330	Just caught up with this thread. Yes I agree both these look good and I have not seen a 12 inspector's mark before either, but it looks like it could be one. Remember, May and Annis were wading through centuries of paper documents back in 1970 (no web) so the fact that Viewer's Marks for 1, 3, 4, 6, and 8 were recorded as being made in 1788 does not rule out others. In 1808 another 20,000 1804s were ordered. This order included four new manufacturers and in total there were nine companies recorded as making 1804s with only five of them linked to specific Marks by May and Annis. It's a pity there is no clear crown above the 12 so we have to wait to see if another turns up. If it does this will be a rare cutlass!