Hi Jim and thanks for posting this incredible sword. I don't have much to add, unfortunately, other than to say I've always been fascinated by this type in particular that has the cup hilt under the guard/quillons. Sort of a 'double guard'. many years ago, I remember seeing one of these types listed as a 'Spanish colonial 'pirate' sword'. I used to think that might have been fanciful until I learned of the massive resurgence of piracy during the 1800-20 period in the Caribbean as a result of all the colonial Spanish colonies going into revolt/revolution. Numbers of pirates climbed into record numbers matching the so-called Golden Age, so why not? I'm sure these cutlass-types saw some action during this period-
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