Revolutionary War to Federalist period cutlass

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 10:39 PM

Capn, thank you for posting this remarkable example of the very kinds on weapons which actually SAW use in colonial, rural and as noted often maritime contexts. They were indeed typically 'ersatz' forms made in the manner of other contemporary forms, but with local blacksmiths and iron workers fabricating them in their own perspectives.

The stark clipped point I have seen referred to as 'inverted clip' and while often seen on machetes (many Caribbean forms) they seem to have been adopted from the exotic forms of swords termed colorfully 'scimitars'.

As you note, the canted hilt feature seems like it may have been intended to direct force of slashing or chopping cut, which was notably reasonable for a machete.....here noting that the machete was often a weapon as well as tool.

It would be great to see other examples of these types of sword, which are in my view, in accord with the Capn, anything BUT 'ugly ducklings'....they are very much folk art reflecting the resilience and rugged character of those who used them.

Page from Burton 1884 reflecting the types of swords whose influence off trade vessels might have influenced the profiling of this blade.

PS.....that display grouping is MUSEUM grade!
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Yesterday, 10:39 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,942	Capn, thank you for posting this remarkable example of the very kinds on weapons which actually SAW use in colonial, rural and as noted often maritime contexts. They were indeed typically 'ersatz' forms made in the manner of other contemporary forms, but with local blacksmiths and iron workers fabricating them in their own perspectives. The stark clipped point I have seen referred to as 'inverted clip' and while often seen on machetes (many Caribbean forms) they seem to have been adopted from the exotic forms of swords termed colorfully 'scimitars'. As you note, the canted hilt feature seems like it may have been intended to direct force of slashing or chopping cut, which was notably reasonable for a machete.....here noting that the machete was often a weapon as well as tool. It would be great to see other examples of these types of sword, which are in my view, in accord with the Capn, anything BUT 'ugly ducklings'....they are very much folk art reflecting the resilience and rugged character of those who used them. Page from Burton 1884 reflecting the types of swords whose influence off trade vessels might have influenced the profiling of this blade. PS.....that display grouping is MUSEUM grade! ' Attached Images