Identification assistance

broadaxe · 6th October 2010, 05:59 PM

Wow, looks like a classic Dutch clamshell cutlass. The munition grade appearance and lack of thumb ring suites the dating. However, the makeshift grip is out of place and where is the pommel

Dmitry · 6th October 2010, 07:02 PM

It's a classic Dutch/Scandinavian style boarding cutlass. VOC is self-explanatory. Letter A stands for the Amsterdam arsenal. Below are the photos of mine, to give you an idea of what the original grip may have looked like.

RealWing · 7th October 2010, 12:47 AM

Thanks for all the information so far!!

To address some of the comments:
1. No, I am not sure it was used in the Battle of Waterloo - I'm only going on what my grandparents had told me.
2. I cant see any sign that the metal part of the grip has been modified. It all looks original to my untrained eye.

Any ideas on when it was made?

Thanks again
Jim

broadaxe · 7th October 2010, 12:28 PM

I think only the grip has been replaced, the metal parts seem untouched, it is an open guard, not a full D-guard.
1787 might well be the year of manufacture.

M ELEY · 7th October 2010, 01:00 PM

I agree with my colleagues. A nice Dutch East India Company sword with talismanic number, clamshell hilt, replaced wooden grip.

Dmitry, as always, I am finding myself envious of your collection! I am drooling over that cutlass of yours!!!

Dmitry · 7th October 2010, 02:01 PM

787 is exactly the year. It's not uncommon to see the first digit omitted on these blades.
Mark, there are no unique pieces in my collection. It is all accessible stuff, just takes time to acquire it.

cornelistromp · 7th October 2010, 06:56 PM

Hi,
it is indeed a voc sword "scheepshouwer"/cutlass from the Amsterdam chamber. 1787 is the date of manufacture. The grip and pommel plate are replacements.(the knuckleguard is original)
it has had a flattened globular pommel with a collar and a bulky wooden grip with a brass binding and Turkish knots. the smaller shell also supported a thumb ring. In 1793 it is replaced by a VOC model similar to Dimitry's picture.

kind regards from Holland

6th October 2010, 07:02 PM	#2
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	It's a classic Dutch/Scandinavian style boarding cutlass. VOC is self-explanatory. Letter A stands for the Amsterdam arsenal. Below are the photos of mine, to give you an idea of what the original grip may have looked like. Attached Images

7th October 2010, 12:47 AM	#3
RealWing Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6	ID Thanks for all the information so far!! To address some of the comments: 1. No, I am not sure it was used in the Battle of Waterloo - I'm only going on what my grandparents had told me. 2. I cant see any sign that the metal part of the grip has been modified. It all looks original to my untrained eye. Any ideas on when it was made? Thanks again Jim

6th October 2010, 05:59 PM	#1
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Wow, looks like a classic Dutch clamshell cutlass. The munition grade appearance and lack of thumb ring suites the dating. However, the makeshift grip is out of place and where is the pommel

7th October 2010, 12:28 PM	#4
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	I think only the grip has been replaced, the metal parts seem untouched, it is an open guard, not a full D-guard. 1787 might well be the year of manufacture.

7th October 2010, 01:00 PM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	I agree with my colleagues. A nice Dutch East India Company sword with talismanic number, clamshell hilt, replaced wooden grip. Dmitry, as always, I am finding myself envious of your collection! I am drooling over that cutlass of yours!!!

7th October 2010, 02:01 PM	#6
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	787 is exactly the year. It's not uncommon to see the first digit omitted on these blades. Mark, there are no unique pieces in my collection. It is all accessible stuff, just takes time to acquire it.

7th October 2010, 06:56 PM	#7
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	Hi, it is indeed a voc sword "scheepshouwer"/cutlass from the Amsterdam chamber. 1787 is the date of manufacture. The grip and pommel plate are replacements.(the knuckleguard is original) it has had a flattened globular pommel with a collar and a bulky wooden grip with a brass binding and Turkish knots. the smaller shell also supported a thumb ring. In 1793 it is replaced by a VOC model similar to Dimitry's picture. kind regards from Holland