Question about 1804 British naval cutlass.

Triarii · 8th May 2023, 06:44 PM

I had a 1796 HCS by Woolley which had a crown / 12 inspection stamp.

CutlassCollector · 8th May 2023, 07:07 PM

Thanks Triarii, great post!

Woolley definitely made 1804s so that confirms the stamp on the cutlass. It may even be the same stamp as the serif at the top of the numeral one is missing or feint on both blades.

Jim McDougall · 8th May 2023, 07:30 PM

While we have been focused on naval references here obviously, this M1796 blade with crown over 12 is interesting so checked Robson (1975).
On p.191:
It is noted that from 1796 + swords from whatever source were inspected for quality at the Tower, and these view marks began to appear, initially a crown over single number, on the 1796 swords it notes these were not always discernible.
In 1820 the govt. view marks added a letter between the crown and inspectors number, i.e. B=Birmingham, E=Enfield,

The example in Robson uses this configuration : crown
E
13
So I wonder if the 12 might suggest later mfg. as the 13 coincides with the 1820 beginning of use of the letter designator.

David, thank you

.....yes, the shocks on the bookmobile are groaning!

8th May 2023, 06:44 PM	#1
Triarii Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Bristol Posts: 149	I had a 1796 HCS by Woolley which had a crown / 12 inspection stamp. Attached Images

8th May 2023, 07:07 PM	#2
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 369	Thanks Triarii, great post! Woolley definitely made 1804s so that confirms the stamp on the cutlass. It may even be the same stamp as the serif at the top of the numeral one is missing or feint on both blades.

8th May 2023, 07:30 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	While we have been focused on naval references here obviously, this M1796 blade with crown over 12 is interesting so checked Robson (1975). On p.191: It is noted that from 1796 + swords from whatever source were inspected for quality at the Tower, and these view marks began to appear, initially a crown over single number, on the 1796 swords it notes these were not always discernible. In 1820 the govt. view marks added a letter between the crown and inspectors number, i.e. B=Birmingham, E=Enfield, The example in Robson uses this configuration : crown E 13 So I wonder if the 12 might suggest later mfg. as the 13 coincides with the 1820 beginning of use of the letter designator. David, thank you .....yes, the shocks on the bookmobile are groaning!