Thanks to Mark and Cutlass Collector for their comments on the cutlass.
I had been wondering if it could be a colonial American piece... Looking through the book "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution" by Neumann, there are some similar examples, especially no. 374.S
I know little about European or American swords, but as far as I can see, aspects that could suggest such an American Revolutionary War period origin are :-
Fairly crude manufacture
No fuller to blade
Wooden grip
No ferrules to grip
General form
On the other hand, American colonial cutlasses often have a small quillon to the knucklebow.
However, I may well be off track here, and further input and any references to aid identification, are welcome. Is it correct to say that professionally made cutlasses of the 19th century usually have sheet iron grips ?
Regards
Colin
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