Revolutionary War to Federalist period cutlass

M ELEY · 1st November 2024, 05:50 PM

My newest acquisition from the Shanendoah region of Virginia not too far from the Chesapeake Bay. Here we have an excellent representation of a primitive American-made cutlass which I'm estimating from 1780-1810 era. It is a blacksmith product, of course, ersatz-constructed probably in a small quantity for a naval or merchant/privateer vessel. The blade is a brute! measuring 28" long (typical of cutlass/hangers of this time versus the much longer horseman's sabers) and nearly a fourth of an inch thick! Definately the heaviest sword I've ever owned and the blade unfullered (again typical of American swords of this early period). The point is a classic clip, a fassionable thing with cutlasses. I'm thinking it might have started out life as a massive horseman's blade purposely cut down to this point (I truly can't imagine how heavy it would have been in its original full length!

The blade is cantered sharply to the hilt, a design I'm assuming was believed to help in the swing/impact of such a weapon. The blade is still very sharp and with it's weight, it could easily sever a limb! Cantered blades became much more prominant in the early 19th century, with Nathan Starr's naval model and the Virginia Manufactuary swords ca. 1808, but there are clear examples of earlier Rev War period types with cantering to the blades.

The grip is a plain wood core pattern with great patina and some worming. This handle is original to the piece in its remaking, as the peened tang at the end of the primitive sheet iron knuckle bow looks period with old patina.

For comparison types, please refer to George Neumann's 'Swords and Blades of the American Revolution". 68S primitive guard with sheet knuckle bow. 72S American hanger with thick unfullered blade and slight clip point. 77S another primitive type with single bar guard, rounded core wood grip. 79S simple flat stirrup sheet metal guard with slight cantering. 94S European example with clipped point to emphasize the popularity of this emerging style.149S Another clipped point English version, 172S a squared iron counterguard/knuckle bow, 188S simple flat bent metal knuckle bow with cantered blade. 191S A great cantered blade example with sheet knuckle bow. 304 and 305S both cutlass-types with no fullers, sheet knuckle bows. Note the second example's thick blade! 309S No fullers and very cantered. 315S also no fullers, cantered blade and with a clipped point. Finally, we have 374/375/380/381 all cutlasses of the era with the sheet iron guards, short quillon and no fullers. 368S This example has the nearly identical wood core grip as mine.

1st November 2024, 05:50 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,101	Revolutionary War to Federalist period cutlass My newest acquisition from the Shanendoah region of Virginia not too far from the Chesapeake Bay. Here we have an excellent representation of a primitive American-made cutlass which I'm estimating from 1780-1810 era. It is a blacksmith product, of course, ersatz-constructed probably in a small quantity for a naval or merchant/privateer vessel. The blade is a brute! measuring 28" long (typical of cutlass/hangers of this time versus the much longer horseman's sabers) and nearly a fourth of an inch thick! Definately the heaviest sword I've ever owned and the blade unfullered (again typical of American swords of this early period). The point is a classic clip, a fassionable thing with cutlasses. I'm thinking it might have started out life as a massive horseman's blade purposely cut down to this point (I truly can't imagine how heavy it would have been in its original full length! The blade is cantered sharply to the hilt, a design I'm assuming was believed to help in the swing/impact of such a weapon. The blade is still very sharp and with it's weight, it could easily sever a limb! Cantered blades became much more prominant in the early 19th century, with Nathan Starr's naval model and the Virginia Manufactuary swords ca. 1808, but there are clear examples of earlier Rev War period types with cantering to the blades. The grip is a plain wood core pattern with great patina and some worming. This handle is original to the piece in its remaking, as the peened tang at the end of the primitive sheet iron knuckle bow looks period with old patina. For comparison types, please refer to George Neumann's 'Swords and Blades of the American Revolution". 68S primitive guard with sheet knuckle bow. 72S American hanger with thick unfullered blade and slight clip point. 77S another primitive type with single bar guard, rounded core wood grip. 79S simple flat stirrup sheet metal guard with slight cantering. 94S European example with clipped point to emphasize the popularity of this emerging style.149S Another clipped point English version, 172S a squared iron counterguard/knuckle bow, 188S simple flat bent metal knuckle bow with cantered blade. 191S A great cantered blade example with sheet knuckle bow. 304 and 305S both cutlass-types with no fullers, sheet knuckle bows. Note the second example's thick blade! 309S No fullers and very cantered. 315S also no fullers, cantered blade and with a clipped point. Finally, we have 374/375/380/381 all cutlasses of the era with the sheet iron guards, short quillon and no fullers. 368S This example has the nearly identical wood core grip as mine. Attached Images