Wow! This really is an incredible naval cutlass! Jim has summed it up nicely, but I just had to remark on this incredible sword type! The so-called 'sheet metal' guard did indeed start around the time of the Revolution and continued up into the first quarter of the 19th century, covering the Barbary Wars/Quazi-War/War 1812 and Napoleonic periods. It should be remembered that as the South and Central American countries began to revolt against Spain during this period, there was the largest resurgence of piracy since the Golden Age, so a hearty "Arrrgghh" indeed!
