Unusual Cutlass/Hanger, officer grade.

kronckew · 20th July 2020, 08:55 PM

A friend bought this locally, and asked me what it was, I can't find anything similar. He thinks it's a UK Cutlass, I'm not so sure, not a regulation post 1796 std. one anyway. Blueing and gilt seems to indicate its an Officer grade.

Had a good look thru my British Naval Swords ref. book. Nada.

It's marked on the ricasso G G on one side and a single G on the other, traces of bluing and gilt inlayed engravings on the blade as i'd expect in 18c & earlier examples. Brass shell guard broken, missing knuckle bow, Chequered wood grip looks mostly OK. Blade much like a 1796 LC. 27-1/2 ins total, 22 ins blade. Apparently the grip is a bit small for my friend's hands...

Any info or suggestions would be appreciated, Thanks.

kronckew · 20th July 2020, 08:56 PM

cont.

kronckew · 20th July 2020, 08:57 PM

Few more:

Norman McCormick · 20th July 2020, 09:20 PM

Hi Wayne,
This previous discussion goes into the G double G aspect.
Regards,
Norman.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=osborn

kronckew · 20th July 2020, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Wayne,
This previous discussion goes into the G double G aspect.
Regards,
Norman.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=osborn

Thanks, did find that, left with more questions than answers tho.

Bryce · 21st July 2020, 12:27 AM

G'day Wayne,
The G stamps indicate the blade was made by the British sword maker Osborn or Osborn and Gunby in the period around 1796-1815 ish. It doesn't conform to any standard pattern, but could belong to the family of short, curved, light infantry officer swords that seem to have been favoured by some officers of militia regiments. Here are a couple of similar examples. I can't make out the writing on the blade in one of the photos you posted. It could be the name of the retailer who sold the sword, or perhaps the unit the owner belonged to?
Cheers,
Bryce

kronckew · 21st July 2020, 06:46 AM

Thanks, that helps a lot.

Thanks to all...

Update: the grip is Not wood, rather it's very dirty m(or painted) ivory, more like Bryce's pics. The owner found the whole assembly was loose and the peening had failed and they were able to disassemble the remains. the blade tang is additionally stamped either WH or HM. The cartouche may be an HM (or a WH

)

Other side of tang to document the GG stamp also added.

20th July 2020, 08:55 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	Unusual Cutlass/Hanger, officer grade. A friend bought this locally, and asked me what it was, I can't find anything similar. He thinks it's a UK Cutlass, I'm not so sure, not a regulation post 1796 std. one anyway. Blueing and gilt seems to indicate its an Officer grade. Had a good look thru my British Naval Swords ref. book. Nada. It's marked on the ricasso G G on one side and a single G on the other, traces of bluing and gilt inlayed engravings on the blade as i'd expect in 18c & earlier examples. Brass shell guard broken, missing knuckle bow, Chequered wood grip looks mostly OK. Blade much like a 1796 LC. 27-1/2 ins total, 22 ins blade. Apparently the grip is a bit small for my friend's hands... Any info or suggestions would be appreciated, Thanks. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 20th July 2020 at 09:12 PM.

20th July 2020, 08:56 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	cont. Attached Images

20th July 2020, 08:57 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	Few more: Attached Images

21st July 2020, 12:27 AM	#6
Bryce Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North Queensland, Australia Posts: 187	G'day Wayne, The G stamps indicate the blade was made by the British sword maker Osborn or Osborn and Gunby in the period around 1796-1815 ish. It doesn't conform to any standard pattern, but could belong to the family of short, curved, light infantry officer swords that seem to have been favoured by some officers of militia regiments. Here are a couple of similar examples. I can't make out the writing on the blade in one of the photos you posted. It could be the name of the retailer who sold the sword, or perhaps the unit the owner belonged to? Cheers, Bryce Attached Images

21st July 2020, 06:46 AM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	Thanks, that helps a lot. Thanks to all... Update: the grip is Not wood, rather it's very dirty m(or painted) ivory, more like Bryce's pics. The owner found the whole assembly was loose and the peening had failed and they were able to disassemble the remains. the blade tang is additionally stamped either WH or HM. The cartouche may be an HM (or a WH ) Other side of tang to document the GG stamp also added. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 21st July 2020 at 07:28 AM.

20th July 2020, 09:20 PM	#4
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,598	Hi Wayne, This previous discussion goes into the G double G aspect. Regards, Norman. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=osborn