Revolutionary War era side knife/dagger

[Jim McDougall]

On another note toward these kinds of blades, this type clip seems to have been favored for machete type swords, hence perhaps the blades seen in the woodcuts. Pirates were of course typically situated in tropical climes, so cutlasses were as often as not in use ashore used as machetes. The depictions of pirates may have been from the mind of the artist, but with an awareness of these uniquely bladed weapons.

The style continued with the Cuban 'guanabacoa' shown with a reprofiled British M1796 cavalry saber blade. While these typically come from the 19th c. they reflect the propensity to blades for machete type use apparently long extant in these regions.

Another example with perhaps some relevance is the Nathan Starr militia saber of 1812...note the curious cant in the blade posture to the hilt. Also the blade tip has an unusual character. Again, while into 19th c. it would seem that the design features might reflect earlier sword types in use.

While the Revolution was of course situated primarily in New England, there were other theaters of the war that extended southward into the coasts and Caribbean.

Admittedly a lot of speculation, still some suggestions that might account for a fascinating anomaly such as this.

We just crossed posts!!!