Oddly constructed cutlass

M ELEY · 4th October 2011, 11:02 AM

Well, after many months of debating, I finally took this one to a welding shop to have those more knowledgible look at the braize. It was agreed by all that it was a modern repair. After these folks tried to melt away the brass unsuccessfully with acetyline (turning the surrounding metal a cherry red and burning some of the old paint off), we decided on a differnet route. I had the braize ground smooth to see if my hunch was correct. Happily, it was. This old cutlass was constructed with the tang inserted into the hilt and somehow secured. The modern braise was done to repair a hair-line crack approx 1/8" from where the tang enters the disc guard. After it was shaved down, it looked much better, with the crack just barely visible and the blade still intact. To date, I have only seen one other sword made in a similar way in Neumann's book. Still, among naval collectors, there is no denying that private purchase swords had many, many different forms.

Jim McDougall · 4th October 2011, 06:22 PM

Mark, you are truly a tenacious old sea dog!!! aaarrrrrhhh!

Thank you for reviving this thread, as well as sharing new developments which you thankfully stay after. This is fascinating to learn a little more on the construction of these things. New repairs just reflect at least honest care in preserving these old warriors. As always lots of stories with em, and the modern activity just one more. Well done Captain!!!

All the best,
Jim

M ELEY · 5th October 2011, 07:22 AM

Hello Cap'n Jim. Good to hear from ya!
Yes, ever since Gilkerson had that pic of the oddly constructed "basket-hilt" m1803, I've been fascinated with the private purchase types. I remember when I got this one, the same seller had a "lead-cutter" with the same modern-type braizing to the base of the blade near the hilt. I was worried that the blades weren't original to the hilt, but went for it after all. Maybe the owner just didn't like the looseness in the blades( a common enough occurance). Glad got her even if she's not a pretty specimen. Thanks for commenting, my friend.

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4th October 2011, 11:02 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Well, after many months of debating, I finally took this one to a welding shop to have those more knowledgible look at the braize. It was agreed by all that it was a modern repair. After these folks tried to melt away the brass unsuccessfully with acetyline (turning the surrounding metal a cherry red and burning some of the old paint off), we decided on a differnet route. I had the braize ground smooth to see if my hunch was correct. Happily, it was. This old cutlass was constructed with the tang inserted into the hilt and somehow secured. The modern braise was done to repair a hair-line crack approx 1/8" from where the tang enters the disc guard. After it was shaved down, it looked much better, with the crack just barely visible and the blade still intact. To date, I have only seen one other sword made in a similar way in Neumann's book. Still, among naval collectors, there is no denying that private purchase swords had many, many different forms.

4th October 2011, 06:22 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,461	Mark, you are truly a tenacious old sea dog!!! aaarrrrrhhh! Thank you for reviving this thread, as well as sharing new developments which you thankfully stay after. This is fascinating to learn a little more on the construction of these things. New repairs just reflect at least honest care in preserving these old warriors. As always lots of stories with em, and the modern activity just one more. Well done Captain!!! All the best, Jim

5th October 2011, 07:22 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Hello Cap'n Jim. Good to hear from ya! Yes, ever since Gilkerson had that pic of the oddly constructed "basket-hilt" m1803, I've been fascinated with the private purchase types. I remember when I got this one, the same seller had a "lead-cutter" with the same modern-type braizing to the base of the blade near the hilt. I was worried that the blades weren't original to the hilt, but went for it after all. Maybe the owner just didn't like the looseness in the blades( a common enough occurance). Glad got her even if she's not a pretty specimen. Thanks for commenting, my friend.