Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 24th March 2011, 06:08 AM

Hi Mark,
I really have to agree, Ive never seen this kind of etched lettering on one of these cutlasses, and the phrase along with the lettering style seem rather out of place. For one thing, the provacative phrase is placed on one side of the blade only, as if it was to be seen in being displayed. Since most shipboard cutlasses were rack items rather than personal issue, it would seem unusual that such an addition would be made to a single weapon.

It does seem that the lettering has been on the sword for some time however, and perhaps it was a personal heirloom item where the owner had served during the Napoleonic wars. There were hard feelings and mistrust harbored toward the French by the British far into the 19th century. Perhaps this was a later addition by an embittered veteran? It does seem ironic though as the British were allied with the French during the Crimean War and of course on good diplomatic relations later as well.

In looking further though, I am wondering if possibly there might be Civil War associations here. France was officially neutral however they were, like England, involved in intrigues. In 1864 the French blocked the sale of the ironclad CSS Stonewall to the Confederacy, and the ship was sold to Denmark. It was subsequently refused and finally by 1865 sold to the Confederacy as planned.
Since England was supplying weapons to the Confederacy, maybe this could have ended up there, and possibly the sentiments etched during such events with naval associated theme. Naturally it begs the question, why would there not be the usual Confederate motif along with it, and why only on one side. Regardless, it seemed worthy of consideration.

Interesting cutlass though.

All the best,
Jim

24th March 2011, 06:08 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,278	Hi Mark, I really have to agree, Ive never seen this kind of etched lettering on one of these cutlasses, and the phrase along with the lettering style seem rather out of place. For one thing, the provacative phrase is placed on one side of the blade only, as if it was to be seen in being displayed. Since most shipboard cutlasses were rack items rather than personal issue, it would seem unusual that such an addition would be made to a single weapon. It does seem that the lettering has been on the sword for some time however, and perhaps it was a personal heirloom item where the owner had served during the Napoleonic wars. There were hard feelings and mistrust harbored toward the French by the British far into the 19th century. Perhaps this was a later addition by an embittered veteran? It does seem ironic though as the British were allied with the French during the Crimean War and of course on good diplomatic relations later as well. In looking further though, I am wondering if possibly there might be Civil War associations here. France was officially neutral however they were, like England, involved in intrigues. In 1864 the French blocked the sale of the ironclad CSS Stonewall to the Confederacy, and the ship was sold to Denmark. It was subsequently refused and finally by 1865 sold to the Confederacy as planned. Since England was supplying weapons to the Confederacy, maybe this could have ended up there, and possibly the sentiments etched during such events with naval associated theme. Naturally it begs the question, why would there not be the usual Confederate motif along with it, and why only on one side. Regardless, it seemed worthy of consideration. Interesting cutlass though. All the best, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 24th March 2011 at 06:20 AM.