Primitive cutlass for I.D.

M ELEY · 1st March 2015, 06:54 PM

Well Colin, you know what I'm going to say! Perhaps the quickest naval enthusiast to jump aboard for an ID, I'd say it was a very nice early to mid-19th century cutlass, probably private purchase/merchantman. The painted wood and guard indicates nautical usage as the primer discouraged the saline air from rusting the hilt components. You will see this on many cutlass of the era (m1803's in particular).The very short blade made yours ideal for use on board crowded, cluttered ships and most were completely unmarked, as yours is. If you are ever in the market to sell it...

Mark

Here's one of mine, with the classic 'sheet' guard for comparison purposes-

www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12145

CutlassCollector · 1st March 2015, 08:16 PM

Yes, as Mark says a nice handy looking cutlass but I was wondering if it was perhaps earlier - possibly from the American Rev war. The crude workmanship and wooden handle may suggest that.
Regards CC.

1st March 2015, 06:54 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,207	Well Colin, you know what I'm going to say! Perhaps the quickest naval enthusiast to jump aboard for an ID, I'd say it was a very nice early to mid-19th century cutlass, probably private purchase/merchantman. The painted wood and guard indicates nautical usage as the primer discouraged the saline air from rusting the hilt components. You will see this on many cutlass of the era (m1803's in particular).The very short blade made yours ideal for use on board crowded, cluttered ships and most were completely unmarked, as yours is. If you are ever in the market to sell it... Mark Here's one of mine, with the classic 'sheet' guard for comparison purposes- www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12145

1st March 2015, 08:16 PM	#2
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 369	Yes, as Mark says a nice handy looking cutlass but I was wondering if it was perhaps earlier - possibly from the American Rev war. The crude workmanship and wooden handle may suggest that. Regards CC.