I guess it pretty much depends on the auction house.
What is great about these provenance examples is that they reflect the character and nuances of authentic pieces. With these, like many other historically significant forms, there are many reproduction and deliberately misrepresented items out there.
The realized price reflects the dramatic values which might attract such activity. Even a mundane item of the time such as this otherwise simple other ranks weapon carries an inherent value monetarily as history incarnate.
Interesting to read the link, and details of this battle. The American captain refused to accept the opponents surrender sword. The men off the British ship were brought aboard as the badly damaged ship sank. It would seem that after the cessation of combat, gentlemanly behavior prevailed between combatants and this cutlass probably acquired by one of the crewmen in less pronounced exchange as men and materials transferred to the Constitution.
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