Boarding cutlass on eBay

M ELEY · 24th March 2011, 06:39 AM

Very nice piece that was a little too rich for my blood. If you click on the picture, you will see all the pics from this closed auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISABI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

A very nice m1803 style boarding piece, obviously private purchase and of the 1810-20 period, based on the sentiment on the blade (English privateers lurking for Napoleanic ships, no doubt). Variations of the m1803 pattern are common as with this cut-out hilt. My question, though, is with the raised etching. I have never seen this type on a piece this early. I've seen this type of etching on post-1850's swords, Civil War, Masonic, etc. Is this type of blade decor ("Death to the French" raised lettering) of the period, or do I smell a rat??

24th March 2011, 06:39 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,206	Boarding cutlass on eBay Very nice piece that was a little too rich for my blood. If you click on the picture, you will see all the pics from this closed auction. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISABI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT A very nice m1803 style boarding piece, obviously private purchase and of the 1810-20 period, based on the sentiment on the blade (English privateers lurking for Napoleanic ships, no doubt). Variations of the m1803 pattern are common as with this cut-out hilt. My question, though, is with the raised etching. I have never seen this type on a piece this early. I've seen this type of etching on post-1850's swords, Civil War, Masonic, etc. Is this type of blade decor ("Death to the French" raised lettering) of the period, or do I smell a rat??