West India Company Cutlass: What is this Marking?

M ELEY · 27th July 2010, 06:33 AM

Wow, Jim! A nice corrigated iron hilt cutlass...you have my attention!

I have seen this mark before in a very strange context. A few years back, I saw an axe that was listed as a boarding axe despite it not having the typical spike of an attack battle axe. It looked more like a lathing hammer/axe, but did have some provenance as coming from a British naval yard that built ships. It dated to around 1850, I imagine. It had this marking, I am sure, but perhaps slightly different. I'll try and find that long-ago link. I must say that I have not seen this marking since. Not much info, I know, but fascinating none-the-same. Much like the WIDC marking that has quasi-naval provenance, it could definately go along with the customs connection you mention, Jim or perhaps coast-guard??

27th July 2010, 06:33 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Wow, Jim! A nice corrigated iron hilt cutlass...you have my attention! I have seen this mark before in a very strange context. A few years back, I saw an axe that was listed as a boarding axe despite it not having the typical spike of an attack battle axe. It looked more like a lathing hammer/axe, but did have some provenance as coming from a British naval yard that built ships. It dated to around 1850, I imagine. It had this marking, I am sure, but perhaps slightly different. I'll try and find that long-ago link. I must say that I have not seen this marking since. Not much info, I know, but fascinating none-the-same. Much like the WIDC marking that has quasi-naval provenance, it could definately go along with the customs connection you mention, Jim or perhaps coast-guard??