Cutlass with basket hilt?

kronckew · 26th February 2022, 05:41 PM

The sword has arrived a while back, haven't had a chance to do anything besides deactivating rust & oiling it.

Heavy, thick (4mm) black patinated brass guard. sword weighs 858 grams, 1.89 lb.

Grip is neatly wrapped and sewn in a shiney leather. No sign it was ever wrapped in twisted wire. Blade is 25 in. (63cm) long, 1.75 in. (4.45cm)at the grip, almost 9mm (0.357 in.) thick there, distal tapering down smoothly to about 1mm. (0.04 in.) at the tip, which is just forward of the end of the central fuller. Point is very slightly rounded but still pointy enough. Blade spine shows signs of having been bent and straightened, but is back into acceptable limits. Brass Pommel is peened over an eye-shaped (lenticular) brass keeper.

Blade is quite sharp, has a few slight nicks. No discernable markings anywhere. Guard is heavy enough to rotate the sword in the hand if you are not gripping it tightly, which can ruin edge alignment.

American Revolutionary acquisition & rework?

M ELEY · 27th February 2022, 07:24 AM

Nice find, Wayne! Although we have no provenace for it being a naval 'one off', it's important to remember that all manner of swords went to sea, that they were often intentionally shortened in length to accomodate tight quarters and that brass-hilted swords were favored due to their resistance to rusting/sea air. So, who knows!? A nice rugged piece either way-

kronckew · 27th February 2022, 07:59 PM

Thanks, all. 👍👌😎

26th February 2022, 05:41 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	The sword has arrived a while back, haven't had a chance to do anything besides deactivating rust & oiling it. Heavy, thick (4mm) black patinated brass guard. sword weighs 858 grams, 1.89 lb. Grip is neatly wrapped and sewn in a shiney leather. No sign it was ever wrapped in twisted wire. Blade is 25 in. (63cm) long, 1.75 in. (4.45cm)at the grip, almost 9mm (0.357 in.) thick there, distal tapering down smoothly to about 1mm. (0.04 in.) at the tip, which is just forward of the end of the central fuller. Point is very slightly rounded but still pointy enough. Blade spine shows signs of having been bent and straightened, but is back into acceptable limits. Brass Pommel is peened over an eye-shaped (lenticular) brass keeper. Blade is quite sharp, has a few slight nicks. No discernable markings anywhere. Guard is heavy enough to rotate the sword in the hand if you are not gripping it tightly, which can ruin edge alignment. American Revolutionary acquisition & rework? Last edited by kronckew; 26th February 2022 at 05:52 PM.

27th February 2022, 07:24 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,159	Nice find, Wayne! Although we have no provenace for it being a naval 'one off', it's important to remember that all manner of swords went to sea, that they were often intentionally shortened in length to accomodate tight quarters and that brass-hilted swords were favored due to their resistance to rusting/sea air. So, who knows!? A nice rugged piece either way-

27th February 2022, 07:59 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	Thanks, all. 👍👌😎