Revolutionary War boarding cutlass

M ELEY · 7th July 2011, 12:28 AM

I agree, Neil, which is why when Dmitry brought up this important point, I got a little worried. It doesn't look like typical deer, but I've seen stag antlers weathered outside that looks like this. I read an article on moose anters that specifically says that the horn can take on an orange color. One site had caribou antler that had been stained (a popular process even back in colonial times with green-stained ivory hilts, stained shagreen wrap, etc.). This really leads me back to the beginning, as all the different types of antler listed above kinda looks the same after you've been looking at examples for awhile (and moose, caribou, deer, etc, are also found throughout Europe and below the Artic Circle.). I'll possibly take it to the local university and see if one of the biology profs might be able to identify it based on texture, mass, etc. In any case, even if it proves to be European, it's of the period, naval, and STILL could have been a captured piece, import, or family heirloom used by colonists (half of Neumann's book supports this fact). I guess we'll see...

Neil · 7th July 2011, 03:36 AM

Going to the university sounds like great idea, good luck.

M ELEY · 7th July 2011, 01:00 PM

Until further info comes in. Canadian moose were found in Michigan, upper state NY, Minnesota, and parts of northern New England.

M ELEY · 7th July 2011, 01:10 PM

Typical whitetail deer antlers with orangy color near the base. White tail of this period exclusive to the U.S. One must consider if the coloration of the hilt is also a result of aging...

M ELEY · 7th July 2011, 01:14 PM

This is a Roosevelt elk from the American northwest. I know this area wasn't traveled back in the day, but traders had gone that route and there was trade from the Pacific shore with the local native Americans, so ? Note the orange antlers.

M ELEY · 7th July 2011, 01:19 PM

The last pic is too big to load. It's of an Eurasian elk, the European equivellent of the N. American moose. It's antlers are as orange as the Roosevelt elk above. During the time-period we are talking about, they were found in Finland, Sweden, and parts of Russia. To my knowledge, these countries did not have naval cutlass of the pattern we are discussing (the flat single disc type). Gilkerson seems to indicate that this pattern was seen in Britain/U.K. No Eurasian elk there, so ?

Neil · 7th July 2011, 03:33 PM

Just a thought to consider. I think your picture of the Elk was quite possibly taken soon after its velvet was shed from its new rack giving it a relatively short lived abnormally red coloration. It is my understanding that blood vessels in the antlers are very active during the annual antler growth period which ends when the velvet shell is rubbed off. I believe the color mellows to brown and tan as the season progresses.

7th July 2011, 01:00 PM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,167	The likely suspects... Until further info comes in. Canadian moose were found in Michigan, upper state NY, Minnesota, and parts of northern New England. Attached Images

7th July 2011, 01:10 PM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,167	Typical whitetail deer antlers with orangy color near the base. White tail of this period exclusive to the U.S. One must consider if the coloration of the hilt is also a result of aging... Attached Images

7th July 2011, 01:14 PM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,167	This is a Roosevelt elk from the American northwest. I know this area wasn't traveled back in the day, but traders had gone that route and there was trade from the Pacific shore with the local native Americans, so ? Note the orange antlers. Attached Images

7th July 2011, 12:28 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,167	I agree, Neil, which is why when Dmitry brought up this important point, I got a little worried. It doesn't look like typical deer, but I've seen stag antlers weathered outside that looks like this. I read an article on moose anters that specifically says that the horn can take on an orange color. One site had caribou antler that had been stained (a popular process even back in colonial times with green-stained ivory hilts, stained shagreen wrap, etc.). This really leads me back to the beginning, as all the different types of antler listed above kinda looks the same after you've been looking at examples for awhile (and moose, caribou, deer, etc, are also found throughout Europe and below the Artic Circle.). I'll possibly take it to the local university and see if one of the biology profs might be able to identify it based on texture, mass, etc. In any case, even if it proves to be European, it's of the period, naval, and STILL could have been a captured piece, import, or family heirloom used by colonists (half of Neumann's book supports this fact). I guess we'll see...

7th July 2011, 03:36 AM	#2
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 114	Going to the university sounds like great idea, good luck.

7th July 2011, 01:19 PM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,167	The last pic is too big to load. It's of an Eurasian elk, the European equivellent of the N. American moose. It's antlers are as orange as the Roosevelt elk above. During the time-period we are talking about, they were found in Finland, Sweden, and parts of Russia. To my knowledge, these countries did not have naval cutlass of the pattern we are discussing (the flat single disc type). Gilkerson seems to indicate that this pattern was seen in Britain/U.K. No Eurasian elk there, so ?

7th July 2011, 03:33 PM	#7
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 114	Just a thought to consider. I think your picture of the Elk was quite possibly taken soon after its velvet was shed from its new rack giving it a relatively short lived abnormally red coloration. It is my understanding that blood vessels in the antlers are very active during the annual antler growth period which ends when the velvet shell is rubbed off. I believe the color mellows to brown and tan as the season progresses.