A curious cutlass

Ed · 4th December 2025, 01:29 PM

I got this some time ago and recently took a closer look at it.

Looks like it was knocked together out of sheet metal for the guard. The grip is bone, it appears. The sheath is wood covered with leather (now mostly deteriorated). The fittings are unmarked, to my eye.

There is a small mar on the ricosso of the blade, a triangle with a C and I at two of the points.

Interesting thing, no? (I feel like ending with a hearty "arrrrrrr")

Jim McDougall · 4th December 2025, 04:14 PM

A mighty arrrrr!
Nice Ed!!!
A CUTLASS it is!!!
While the hilt form is reminiscent of the Hounslow's of the 17th century, traditions prevailed. The Hounslow hangers were somewhat prevalent at sea so it is understandable, and this seems a very old hilt, likely refurbished somewhat and possibly at the time this example was assembled, probably late 18th, early 19th.
These triple fullered blades were well known on cutlasses in these times, and according to Gilkerson were made into the 19th c. in Solingen, but the Collins Co. blade makers came into it as well., I wonder if the C with triangle might be an early Collins mark?

This example overall bears striking resemblance to Nuemann (1973, p.186, 374.S) which is an American cutlass 1775-90, and has this type hilt.....the simple strap type pommel attaching seems characteristic of hilts of this period especially American examples.

In this period in the early years of the United States, the maritime industry was beginning to boom, and private enterprises engaging in trade which interacted with trade in the Caribbean with Spain and Great Britain as well as abroad. Naturally with trade activity, there were predatory activities, so captains furnished the crews of their vessels with weapons, cutlasses.

On the American cutlass just noted, the example has a tapering bone grip, which compellingly aligns with this. The blade is of similar shape, 24" but no fullers.

I would suggest this example is a private purchase, possibly American (colonial) and possibly of Revolution period. The only factor taking away from that potential would be the curious triangle C mark, which seems atypical of that period, but more research would tell.

OUTSTANDING example!!!

PS another interesting note, that scabbard throat device is from an Indian tulwar langet........India trade? England? curiouser and curiouser!!!

Ed · 5th December 2025, 11:21 AM

Better picture of mark

M ELEY · 7th December 2025, 05:13 AM

Wow! This really is an incredible naval cutlass! Jim has summed it up nicely, but I just had to remark on this incredible sword type! The so-called 'sheet metal' guard did indeed start around the time of the Revolution and continued up into the first quarter of the 19th century, covering the Barbary Wars/Quazi-War/War 1812 and Napoleonic periods. It should be remembered that as the South and Central American countries began to revolt against Spain during this period, there was the largest resurgence of piracy since the Golden Age, so a hearty "Arrrgghh" indeed!

Ed · 9th December 2025, 12:54 PM

arrrrrrrrr

Jim McDougall · 15th March 2026, 03:14 PM

I still find fascinating topics here just browsing through search etc. and find so many threads that simply stopped, with zero discussion!

Anything with pirates, cutlasses piques my interest instantly, and this one was worth another soliloquy!

The sheet metal guard is indeed of the style favored on cutlasses in the last quarter 18th c. and resulting in the familiar double disc types British of c.1800.
The bone grip is most interesting and unusual.

One of the most interesting areas of piracy in the latter 17th century was during what became known as the 'golden age of piracy', which seems to have largely ended with the demise of Blackbeard in 1718. However piracy itself in the contexts typically popularized in the lore which grew out of the work of Robert Louis Stevenson and "Treasure Island" was far more expansive and long lived than characterized in this fantastic story.

While most of the popular lore on pirates seems focused on those of the Caribbean and Eastern shores of America, there was a far more dynamic theater of operation in the East in the waters off the Malabar Coast of west India, and to Madagascar.

These regions proved even far more lucrative than the gold and silver laden Spanish galleons, as the treasures of the Mughal Empire and the emperor Aurengzeb were with not only gold and silver in huge quantity, but incredible hoardes of jewels and other valuable commodities.

Beginning largely with Henry Avery in 1690s, and followed by the notorious Captain Kidd of course, those pirates who rounded the Cape to prey on these treasure vessels are often termed 'rounders' in much of the literature.

While this cutlass (notably 'of the type') in use in the late 17th c. and clearly as earlier noted resembling the 'Hounslow' style hilts of earlier in in the century, seems likely later it still seems to be of 18th century (likely latter).

The curious thing is the 'C'mark on the blade, which seems more in line with markings in 19th c. and what appears to be an 'I' ? above it. The blade is notably worn so it is tempting to think it was added later?

One of the most telling things with this cutlass is on the scabbard throat, what appears to be the langet from an Indian tulwar.

I cannot resist thinking this might well be an older cutlass, likely refurbished with the horn grip, and remaining in service probably privately on a vessel frequenting these eastern seas.

One of the more esoteric areas in the study of pirate weapons is the more exotic forms (and their components) which entered the scope of those used in this general area.

An outstanding example of the 'traditionally' regarded cutlass, this one clearly has more stories to tell!

4th December 2025, 01:29 PM	#1
Ed Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 314	A curious cutlass I got this some time ago and recently took a closer look at it. Looks like it was knocked together out of sheet metal for the guard. The grip is bone, it appears. The sheath is wood covered with leather (now mostly deteriorated). The fittings are unmarked, to my eye. There is a small mar on the ricosso of the blade, a triangle with a C and I at two of the points. Interesting thing, no? (I feel like ending with a hearty "arrrrrrr") Attached Images

4th December 2025, 04:14 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,844	A mighty arrrrr! Nice Ed!!! A CUTLASS it is!!! While the hilt form is reminiscent of the Hounslow's of the 17th century, traditions prevailed. The Hounslow hangers were somewhat prevalent at sea so it is understandable, and this seems a very old hilt, likely refurbished somewhat and possibly at the time this example was assembled, probably late 18th, early 19th. These triple fullered blades were well known on cutlasses in these times, and according to Gilkerson were made into the 19th c. in Solingen, but the Collins Co. blade makers came into it as well., I wonder if the C with triangle might be an early Collins mark? This example overall bears striking resemblance to Nuemann (1973, p.186, 374.S) which is an American cutlass 1775-90, and has this type hilt.....the simple strap type pommel attaching seems characteristic of hilts of this period especially American examples. In this period in the early years of the United States, the maritime industry was beginning to boom, and private enterprises engaging in trade which interacted with trade in the Caribbean with Spain and Great Britain as well as abroad. Naturally with trade activity, there were predatory activities, so captains furnished the crews of their vessels with weapons, cutlasses. On the American cutlass just noted, the example has a tapering bone grip, which compellingly aligns with this. The blade is of similar shape, 24" but no fullers. I would suggest this example is a private purchase, possibly American (colonial) and possibly of Revolution period. The only factor taking away from that potential would be the curious triangle C mark, which seems atypical of that period, but more research would tell. OUTSTANDING example!!! PS another interesting note, that scabbard throat device is from an Indian tulwar langet........India trade? England? curiouser and curiouser!!! Last edited by Jim McDougall; 4th December 2025 at 05:03 PM.

5th December 2025, 11:21 AM	#3
Ed Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 314	Better picture of mark Attached Images

9th December 2025, 12:54 PM	#5
Ed Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 314	arrrrrrrrr Attached Images

15th March 2026, 03:14 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,844	A 'rounder'? I still find fascinating topics here just browsing through search etc. and find so many threads that simply stopped, with zero discussion! Anything with pirates, cutlasses piques my interest instantly, and this one was worth another soliloquy! The sheet metal guard is indeed of the style favored on cutlasses in the last quarter 18th c. and resulting in the familiar double disc types British of c.1800. The bone grip is most interesting and unusual. One of the most interesting areas of piracy in the latter 17th century was during what became known as the 'golden age of piracy', which seems to have largely ended with the demise of Blackbeard in 1718. However piracy itself in the contexts typically popularized in the lore which grew out of the work of Robert Louis Stevenson and "Treasure Island" was far more expansive and long lived than characterized in this fantastic story. While most of the popular lore on pirates seems focused on those of the Caribbean and Eastern shores of America, there was a far more dynamic theater of operation in the East in the waters off the Malabar Coast of west India, and to Madagascar. These regions proved even far more lucrative than the gold and silver laden Spanish galleons, as the treasures of the Mughal Empire and the emperor Aurengzeb were with not only gold and silver in huge quantity, but incredible hoardes of jewels and other valuable commodities. Beginning largely with Henry Avery in 1690s, and followed by the notorious Captain Kidd of course, those pirates who rounded the Cape to prey on these treasure vessels are often termed 'rounders' in much of the literature. While this cutlass (notably 'of the type') in use in the late 17th c. and clearly as earlier noted resembling the 'Hounslow' style hilts of earlier in in the century, seems likely later it still seems to be of 18th century (likely latter). The curious thing is the 'C'mark on the blade, which seems more in line with markings in 19th c. and what appears to be an 'I' ? above it. The blade is notably worn so it is tempting to think it was added later? One of the most telling things with this cutlass is on the scabbard throat, what appears to be the langet from an Indian tulwar. I cannot resist thinking this might well be an older cutlass, likely refurbished with the horn grip, and remaining in service probably privately on a vessel frequenting these eastern seas. One of the more esoteric areas in the study of pirate weapons is the more exotic forms (and their components) which entered the scope of those used in this general area. An outstanding example of the 'traditionally' regarded cutlass, this one clearly has more stories to tell!

7th December 2025, 05:13 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,227	Wow! This really is an incredible naval cutlass! Jim has summed it up nicely, but I just had to remark on this incredible sword type! The so-called 'sheet metal' guard did indeed start around the time of the Revolution and continued up into the first quarter of the 19th century, covering the Barbary Wars/Quazi-War/War 1812 and Napoleonic periods. It should be remembered that as the South and Central American countries began to revolt against Spain during this period, there was the largest resurgence of piracy since the Golden Age, so a hearty "Arrrgghh" indeed!