18th Century Machete ?

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Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
This may be of some interest. I believe that crowned G.R. stamped machets/machetes/cutlass blades were exported to the 'colonies' even after the Georgian period had ended the stamp being looked at as a sign of quality rather than a period designation thus the blade you have could be earlier or later difficult to say.
Regards,
Norman.

Yes , mine is most like 357 in your illustration. I take your point about the export to the Colonies , but that tended ( at least with firearms and bayonets ) to be of earlier patterned stuff now obsolete & superceded at 'home' , rather than earlier marks being stamped in order to enhance the perception of quality. I am not saying that the practice didnt go on , but the forging of Government Inspection marks ( which is what the Royal Cipher + number is ) was and is a serious criminal offence.