Revolutionary War boarding cutlass

M ELEY · 2nd July 2011, 10:22 PM

Thank you, Glenn, for posting these pics. I will try your suggestion next time (sounds too easy to me-

). I confess that I don't have his book yet, but hope to soon. Of course, his book concentrates mostly on officer's swords, while I am more of a rusty cutlass sort-of guy (i.e. Limited by income-

)

Sorry to hear you missed out on one of these, Neil. Pete still has several very nice cutlass of the era on his site, but they are not as we say "eBay-priced". You can get his site info from my original post if you need it...

For anyone who might be interested in references to these swords, see Neumann's "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution", examples 368.S, 369.S, 370.S, 371.S. Also, Gilkerson's "Boarders Away- With Steel", pg 77, 89-90.

The great thing about the more primitive types of swords from the Amer Rev is that they are mis-understood and bargains can still be had on occasion. I paid full price for mine, but it was worth it to me. Fills in that part of the collection I needed.

Hotspur · 3rd July 2011, 01:17 AM

I like this cutlass. I think there is a benefit at times going with prime dealers (auction or not) rather than obscure auction listings.

I am a real fan of the plainer swords as well and had gone out of my way a couple of times in going for the nco and common variety.

Cheers

GC

Dmitry · 4th July 2011, 04:52 AM

That is a good-looking cutlass. The blade is probably imported, the hilt may be American. If the antler handle turns out to be from an American species of deer, that would cement the attribution to the Colonies or early US. Martially-unmarked, it's ostensibly a private purchase. I have a similar example.

M ELEY · 5th July 2011, 04:22 AM

Thanks for responding, Dmitry. I hadn't thought about detecting what species the antler had come from. Definitely something I will try to look into. I do hope it's an American piece, as I lack one in my collection. BTW, Happy 4th, everyone...

laEspadaAncha · 5th July 2011, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

BTW, Happy 4th, everyone...

Yes... Happy 4th.

I thought about posting a "post-your-pictures" thread of early American weapons to commemorate the 4th. A little late now I guess, but maybe we can start such a thread early next 4th...

Nice cutlass BTW...

M ELEY · 6th July 2011, 06:10 AM

Sounds like a plan! Or perhaps for President's Day-

By shear coincidence, I was in a used bookstore today and saw a book on hunting. In it were 'uses for antler' and a brief run-down of their sources here. I was just thinking about common white-tail and mule deer and had forgotten about elk, moose and Canadian caribou. Hopefully, I might find someone who can help ID the hilt material soon.

Neil · 6th July 2011, 02:24 PM

I am quite familiar with white-tail deer as a hunter, and in my opinion that does not look like white-tail antler. Of course it is very difficult to say definitively from a photo. It is the coloration more than anything that makes me feel its from another animal, too red. Of course the lighting in the photo may be deceptive, or aging and or environmental conditions may be a factor as well.

5th July 2011, 04:22 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,165	Happy Independence Day, all- Thanks for responding, Dmitry. I hadn't thought about detecting what species the antler had come from. Definitely something I will try to look into. I do hope it's an American piece, as I lack one in my collection. BTW, Happy 4th, everyone...

2nd July 2011, 10:22 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,165	Thank you, Glenn, for posting these pics. I will try your suggestion next time (sounds too easy to me- ). I confess that I don't have his book yet, but hope to soon. Of course, his book concentrates mostly on officer's swords, while I am more of a rusty cutlass sort-of guy (i.e. Limited by income- ) Sorry to hear you missed out on one of these, Neil. Pete still has several very nice cutlass of the era on his site, but they are not as we say "eBay-priced". You can get his site info from my original post if you need it... For anyone who might be interested in references to these swords, see Neumann's "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution", examples 368.S, 369.S, 370.S, 371.S. Also, Gilkerson's "Boarders Away- With Steel", pg 77, 89-90. The great thing about the more primitive types of swords from the Amer Rev is that they are mis-understood and bargains can still be had on occasion. I paid full price for mine, but it was worth it to me. Fills in that part of the collection I needed.

3rd July 2011, 01:17 AM	#2
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 514	I like this cutlass. I think there is a benefit at times going with prime dealers (auction or not) rather than obscure auction listings. I am a real fan of the plainer swords as well and had gone out of my way a couple of times in going for the nco and common variety. Cheers GC

4th July 2011, 04:52 AM	#3
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	That is a good-looking cutlass. The blade is probably imported, the hilt may be American. If the antler handle turns out to be from an American species of deer, that would cement the attribution to the Colonies or early US. Martially-unmarked, it's ostensibly a private purchase. I have a similar example.

6th July 2011, 06:10 AM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,165	Sounds like a plan! Or perhaps for President's Day- By shear coincidence, I was in a used bookstore today and saw a book on hunting. In it were 'uses for antler' and a brief run-down of their sources here. I was just thinking about common white-tail and mule deer and had forgotten about elk, moose and Canadian caribou. Hopefully, I might find someone who can help ID the hilt material soon.

6th July 2011, 02:24 PM	#7
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 114	I am quite familiar with white-tail deer as a hunter, and in my opinion that does not look like white-tail antler. Of course it is very difficult to say definitively from a photo. It is the coloration more than anything that makes me feel its from another animal, too red. Of course the lighting in the photo may be deceptive, or aging and or environmental conditions may be a factor as well.