Oddly constructed cutlass

M ELEY · 17th May 2010, 03:47 AM

Wow, Jim! Amazing that you found this reference that you mentioned. I do hope you didn't lose sleep searching the archives...and deep they must be! After that, I'm imagining you opening the door to the 'book mobile' and tons of papers crashing out. Do be careful-

I do see what you are talking about concerning this sword and I know mine does have quite a bend in its tip section, but I have seen several in Neumann's that are similar. No doubt the Barbary pirates might have had a huge influence on its blade, though, as it is undoubtedly a 19th c. product. One only has to look at the marine mameluke swords to see the attraction. Fascinating that the Spanish were particularly affected. I could see this as a Spanish knock-off of a Brit m1803, with the above said influence.

I will continue to do research on Spanish naval items of this time period. Very sketchy area indeed, after trying to find a single pic of early Span boarding pikes, all I can come up with are references to later 19th c. double headed diamond-shaped patterns. I'm assuming earlier patterns mimiced Euro patterns or were similar to their trench spears.

After reviewing 'Spanish Military Weapons in Colonial America' , I found a naval cutlass similar to a Brit pattern m1845, so I'm assuming you might be onto something here, Jim!

17th May 2010, 03:47 AM	#15
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Wow, Jim! Amazing that you found this reference that you mentioned. I do hope you didn't lose sleep searching the archives...and deep they must be! After that, I'm imagining you opening the door to the 'book mobile' and tons of papers crashing out. Do be careful- I do see what you are talking about concerning this sword and I know mine does have quite a bend in its tip section, but I have seen several in Neumann's that are similar. No doubt the Barbary pirates might have had a huge influence on its blade, though, as it is undoubtedly a 19th c. product. One only has to look at the marine mameluke swords to see the attraction. Fascinating that the Spanish were particularly affected. I could see this as a Spanish knock-off of a Brit m1803, with the above said influence. I will continue to do research on Spanish naval items of this time period. Very sketchy area indeed, after trying to find a single pic of early Span boarding pikes, all I can come up with are references to later 19th c. double headed diamond-shaped patterns. I'm assuming earlier patterns mimiced Euro patterns or were similar to their trench spears. After reviewing 'Spanish Military Weapons in Colonial America' , I found a naval cutlass similar to a Brit pattern m1845, so I'm assuming you might be onto something here, Jim!