A navy cutlass i think, but ... where from ?

[fernando]

Dear Mark,

I must say i am smashed with such imense input, which will take me ages to digest.
One thing comes out of my residual knowledge, though; it looks more plausible that Spaniards (and Portuguese) copied British models than the other way round ... specially (or specifically) within this period, as already approached.
In the meantime i dare post some random details on the subject, to either enlighten it a bit or, which is more probable, add it further complexity.

In his work ARMAMENTO PORTATIL ESPAÑOL 1764-1990, Marceló Rubi illustrates and describes a SABLE DE ABORDAJE (boarding cutlass), with overall characteristics similar to the British P1845, except for the shallow blade fullers and the turning of the guard top (i miss the correct term ).
There is no certainty as to the date of this model but, as the example exhibited at the Toledo Factory reads 1859, it is thought such is the date of this pattern.

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[fernando]

Well known Spanish weapons historian Juan L. Calvó cites a 'third' model, used in the 1890 decade, which appears in one picture of the work EJERCITO ESPAÑOL de Luis Tasso, showing some seamen doing exercizes with such sabre (cutlass), which one would find equal to the British 1845, with a symetrical bowl guard, rimmed in its start. Mr.Calvó mentions that he has only seen one exemplar of these models, without any marks in its blade.

[M ELEY]

Thank you, 'Nando, for posting this information! I'm always looking for more knowledge on the evolution of the cutlass throughout its history. I was unfamiliar with this particular volume and that cutlass pic is awesome. It supports my earlier point that the pattern was copied. Good point, also, that it was more than likely copied from the Brit m1845. The example in Brinkerhoff's book marked "1819" remains a mystery and could have been so-marked to represent a special date, event, or ?
As you astutely point out, this information both adds to the knowledge we have, but also further opens the mystery ( if these were produced on a large scale, why don't they turn up more often? Were they produced for the navy or a private-purchase merchant fleet? Did these Spanish swords make their way to former republics such as Argentina, Brazil, etc? Remember our Brazilian cutlass we've discussed in the past?). In any case, thanks again for the reference. I'll file it away in my records...

[fernando]

There isn't much written stuff within my reach on the Naval area, but i will keep in mind to check on the possibility of the Brits having sent P1845 cutlasses to Portugal, on whatever condition.
So far i can only assume my example was acquired in Britain and brought over by someone, for any reason ... not probably a collector, judging by its poor condition lacking enthusiasm for such purpose.
I gave it some cleaning, based on (first dry and after wet) sand paper; the result is modest, a bit better at naked eye than in the pictures.
Say Mark, the black paint; the grip was surely painted black, as some traces remain in it, but the pommel ? was it also painted ? i don't think the guard was painted, as no traces there. What would you say about that ? ... and, such black paint finish would be mat or glossy?

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[fernando]

I was searching my couple books and found out what is supposed to be a true Portuguese boarding cutlass; in the catalogue of the fine collection of the Palace of Vila Viçosa.
This is considered the regular model of the Portuguese Royal Navy in the first half XIX century and still in use in 1863.
The hilt and grip are in iron and there is a slot for the lanyard. Blade slightly curved, with a false edge near the tip.

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[M ELEY]

Mat vs glossy finish- In truth, I've seen and handled both. It also depended on the type of material used during the japanning process. In the earlier cutlass, say pre-1800, they tend to have a flat finish, but whether this was from weathering over time or the advances in types of primer in the later century, I'm not sure. Likewise, one must be careful to look for honest aging, as modern spray paint has a glossy finish.

Your sword- Hmmm. Perhaps the guard has had the paint worn off faster then the pommel/grip? The pics don't tell a full story, as at first, I thought the guard had been primed. Judging from the extensive pitting, I'd say the guard seems to have taken the brunt as far as weathering. That being said, I do have that one cutlass that I posted awhile back with the sheet metal guard, late GR marking and ribbed iron cast grip. It's sheet guard had only a very light brown primer compared to the grip and blade. Not sure why this is.

That pic of the Portugeuse sword is the best. A m1803 on the 'Bay not that long ago had a grip just like this one (with the grip shaped literally for the hand), but I had never seen one and suspected it was a 'put-together". In retrospect, it was probably one of that particular model that had been produced in your country. Very interesting! BTW, judging from your new pics, this probably is the Brit pattern with a shortened blade (you can see where the ridge on the side of the blade originally would have come to the tip. I think it has wonderful character and I'm glad you gave it a good polish. Too bad we may never know for sure how it ended up in your neck of the woods, but the most likely case, I think, is as an import. The wear & tear came in it's long working life serving on a local merchant ship.