THE ROYAL NAVY CUTLASS.

cornelistromp · 19th November 2017, 07:22 PM

Michiel de Ruyter 1667.
Ceylon (in 1972 called Sri Lanka)was a Dutch colony from1640-1796.

best,
Jasper

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 20th November 2017, 08:13 AM

Lovely artwork though is it a Cutlass? Certainly it shows the Lionhead potential for a Castane or Dutch derivative sword. The Dutch were there for a whole lot longer than that but as you point out these were the dates for their official period in Sri Lanka at the time. He has a Globe which looks like an Ortelius Dutch map / chartmaker.

This was one of the finest Dutch Admirals in History~ Please See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michiel_de_Ruyter

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 20th November 2017, 10:13 AM

There are several good books about Cutlasses here are some ...and a good web reference with a great deal of detail at https://books.google.com.om/books?id...20MARKS&f=true

Book Suggestions;

M ELEY · 21st November 2017, 06:20 AM

Excellent thread on my favorite type of weapon! Nothing to add to what's already been said other than the fact that many of the naval pattern cutlass had surprisingly blunt edges. If one remembers that the chief initiative of naval boarding was for the capture of the ship, one can assume that many of the blows from these weapons was to incapacitate the enemy vs. downright kill him. Rest assured, a cutlass blow could kill, but in the descriptive battle CC mentioned, casualties from edged weapons were indeed low.

I read a book on 19th c. cutlass practice and learned the chief target was the opponent's head, thus the development of the unique leather head gear developed by the Americans. A cutlass slamming into your skull would certainly split the scalp, get blood in your eyes, stun or knock you senseless and take the fight out of you, but not necessarily deliver a mortal wound. Cannon balls, shivers/splinters, grenades and musket shot, on the other hand, was more deadly and caused the most trauma.

When boarding, the boarders were often the last attack plan, with the cannons, grapeshot and musket fire from the tops sweeping the deck first. The 'party' were the finishing-up crew.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 21st November 2017, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Excellent thread on my favorite type of weapon! Nothing to add to what's already been said other than the fact that many of the naval pattern cutlass had surprisingly blunt edges. If one remembers that the chief initiative of naval boarding was for the capture of the ship, one can assume that many of the blows from these weapons was to incapacitate the enemy vs. downright kill him. Rest assured, a cutlass blow could kill, but in the descriptive battle CC mentioned, casualties from edged weapons were indeed low.

I read a book on 19th c. cutlass practice and learned the chief target was the opponent's head, thus the development of the unique leather head gear developed by the Americans. A cutlass slamming into your skull would certainly split the scalp, get blood in your eyes, stun or knock you senseless and take the fight out of you, but not necessarily deliver a mortal wound. Cannon balls, shivers/splinters, grenades and musket shot, on the other hand, was more deadly and caused the most trauma.

When boarding, the boarders were often the last attack plan, with the cannons, grapeshot and musket fire from the tops sweeping the deck first. The 'party' were the finishing-up crew.

Salaams M Eley and it is great to see your reply. I recorded a few details on Cutlass in action.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 21st November 2017, 03:16 PM

It is perhaps the right time to look at training on Cutlasses on board and ashore ~ As noted previously The Captain of HMS Shannon was keen to get his men used to cutlass work... He used sticks to very good effect.

Below some interesting scenarios on Cutlass Training.~ Bristol Police Training, Cutlass Drill on HMS Cerebus, Training in a shore station at Dawlish and a white seachart of different defence and attack drills ordered by the Admiralty.

Jim McDougall · 21st November 2017, 08:52 PM

Well made note Mark on the dull edge of the cutlass. if that were not the case, the wound suffered by the captain of the Shannon would have split his head like a melon.
It seems funny with the sailors holding these in a fencing stance. These were anything but sharp cutting swords, and by these times, as Mark noted, more like bludgeons. Quite different than boarding in the earlier times of fighting sail and pirates.

The notion of 'fencing' in the manner of every 'swashbuckling' movie or romantic flashing blades in literature is of course, just fun, but mostly nonsense.

19th November 2017, 07:22 PM	#1
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,064	Michiel de Ruyter 1667. Ceylon (in 1972 called Sri Lanka)was a Dutch colony from1640-1796. best, Jasper Attached Images

20th November 2017, 08:13 AM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Lovely artwork though is it a Cutlass? Certainly it shows the Lionhead potential for a Castane or Dutch derivative sword. The Dutch were there for a whole lot longer than that but as you point out these were the dates for their official period in Sri Lanka at the time. He has a Globe which looks like an Ortelius Dutch map / chartmaker. This was one of the finest Dutch Admirals in History~ Please See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michiel_de_Ruyter Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 20th November 2017 at 08:25 AM.

20th November 2017, 10:13 AM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	There are several good books about Cutlasses here are some ...and a good web reference with a great deal of detail at https://books.google.com.om/books?id...20MARKS&f=true Book Suggestions; Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 20th November 2017 at 10:42 AM.

21st November 2017, 03:16 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	It is perhaps the right time to look at training on Cutlasses on board and ashore ~ As noted previously The Captain of HMS Shannon was keen to get his men used to cutlass work... He used sticks to very good effect. Below some interesting scenarios on Cutlass Training.~ Bristol Police Training, Cutlass Drill on HMS Cerebus, Training in a shore station at Dawlish and a white seachart of different defence and attack drills ordered by the Admiralty. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 21st November 2017 at 03:40 PM.

21st November 2017, 06:20 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,211	Excellent thread on my favorite type of weapon! Nothing to add to what's already been said other than the fact that many of the naval pattern cutlass had surprisingly blunt edges. If one remembers that the chief initiative of naval boarding was for the capture of the ship, one can assume that many of the blows from these weapons was to incapacitate the enemy vs. downright kill him. Rest assured, a cutlass blow could kill, but in the descriptive battle CC mentioned, casualties from edged weapons were indeed low. I read a book on 19th c. cutlass practice and learned the chief target was the opponent's head, thus the development of the unique leather head gear developed by the Americans. A cutlass slamming into your skull would certainly split the scalp, get blood in your eyes, stun or knock you senseless and take the fight out of you, but not necessarily deliver a mortal wound. Cannon balls, shivers/splinters, grenades and musket shot, on the other hand, was more deadly and caused the most trauma. When boarding, the boarders were often the last attack plan, with the cannons, grapeshot and musket fire from the tops sweeping the deck first. The 'party' were the finishing-up crew.

21st November 2017, 08:52 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,744	Well made note Mark on the dull edge of the cutlass. if that were not the case, the wound suffered by the captain of the Shannon would have split his head like a melon. It seems funny with the sailors holding these in a fencing stance. These were anything but sharp cutting swords, and by these times, as Mark noted, more like bludgeons. Quite different than boarding in the earlier times of fighting sail and pirates. The notion of 'fencing' in the manner of every 'swashbuckling' movie or romantic flashing blades in literature is of course, just fun, but mostly nonsense.