A navy cutlass i think, but ... where from ?

fernando · 15th July 2011, 05:58 PM

There isn't much written stuff within my reach on the Naval area, but i will keep in mind to check on the possibility of the Brits having sent P1845 cutlasses to Portugal, on whatever condition.
So far i can only assume my example was acquired in Britain and brought over by someone, for any reason ... not probably a collector, judging by its poor condition lacking enthusiasm for such purpose.
I gave it some cleaning, based on (first dry and after wet) sand paper; the result is modest, a bit better at naked eye than in the pictures.
Say Mark, the black paint; the grip was surely painted black, as some traces remain in it, but the pommel ? was it also painted ? i don't think the guard was painted, as no traces there. What would you say about that ? ... and, such black paint finish would be mat or glossy?

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fernando · 15th July 2011, 06:09 PM

I was searching my couple books and found out what is supposed to be a true Portuguese boarding cutlass; in the catalogue of the fine collection of the Palace of Vila Viçosa.
This is considered the regular model of the Portuguese Royal Navy in the first half XIX century and still in use in 1863.
The hilt and grip are in iron and there is a slot for the lanyard. Blade slightly curved, with a false edge near the tip.

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M ELEY · 16th July 2011, 06:34 AM

Mat vs glossy finish- In truth, I've seen and handled both. It also depended on the type of material used during the japanning process. In the earlier cutlass, say pre-1800, they tend to have a flat finish, but whether this was from weathering over time or the advances in types of primer in the later century, I'm not sure. Likewise, one must be careful to look for honest aging, as modern spray paint has a glossy finish.

Your sword- Hmmm. Perhaps the guard has had the paint worn off faster then the pommel/grip? The pics don't tell a full story, as at first, I thought the guard had been primed. Judging from the extensive pitting, I'd say the guard seems to have taken the brunt as far as weathering. That being said, I do have that one cutlass that I posted awhile back with the sheet metal guard, late GR marking and ribbed iron cast grip. It's sheet guard had only a very light brown primer compared to the grip and blade. Not sure why this is.

That pic of the Portugeuse sword is the best. A m1803 on the 'Bay not that long ago had a grip just like this one (with the grip shaped literally for the hand), but I had never seen one and suspected it was a 'put-together". In retrospect, it was probably one of that particular model that had been produced in your country. Very interesting! BTW, judging from your new pics, this probably is the Brit pattern with a shortened blade (you can see where the ridge on the side of the blade originally would have come to the tip. I think it has wonderful character and I'm glad you gave it a good polish. Too bad we may never know for sure how it ended up in your neck of the woods, but the most likely case, I think, is as an import. The wear & tear came in it's long working life serving on a local merchant ship.

15th July 2011, 05:58 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	There isn't much written stuff within my reach on the Naval area, but i will keep in mind to check on the possibility of the Brits having sent P1845 cutlasses to Portugal, on whatever condition. So far i can only assume my example was acquired in Britain and brought over by someone, for any reason ... not probably a collector, judging by its poor condition lacking enthusiasm for such purpose. I gave it some cleaning, based on (first dry and after wet) sand paper; the result is modest, a bit better at naked eye than in the pictures. Say Mark, the black paint; the grip was surely painted black, as some traces remain in it, but the pommel ? was it also painted ? i don't think the guard was painted, as no traces there. What would you say about that ? ... and, such black paint finish would be mat or glossy? . Attached Images

15th July 2011, 06:09 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	For your perusal I was searching my couple books and found out what is supposed to be a true Portuguese boarding cutlass; in the catalogue of the fine collection of the Palace of Vila Viçosa. This is considered the regular model of the Portuguese Royal Navy in the first half XIX century and still in use in 1863. The hilt and grip are in iron and there is a slot for the lanyard. Blade slightly curved, with a false edge near the tip. . Attached Images

16th July 2011, 06:34 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Mat vs glossy finish- In truth, I've seen and handled both. It also depended on the type of material used during the japanning process. In the earlier cutlass, say pre-1800, they tend to have a flat finish, but whether this was from weathering over time or the advances in types of primer in the later century, I'm not sure. Likewise, one must be careful to look for honest aging, as modern spray paint has a glossy finish. Your sword- Hmmm. Perhaps the guard has had the paint worn off faster then the pommel/grip? The pics don't tell a full story, as at first, I thought the guard had been primed. Judging from the extensive pitting, I'd say the guard seems to have taken the brunt as far as weathering. That being said, I do have that one cutlass that I posted awhile back with the sheet metal guard, late GR marking and ribbed iron cast grip. It's sheet guard had only a very light brown primer compared to the grip and blade. Not sure why this is. That pic of the Portugeuse sword is the best. A m1803 on the 'Bay not that long ago had a grip just like this one (with the grip shaped literally for the hand), but I had never seen one and suspected it was a 'put-together". In retrospect, it was probably one of that particular model that had been produced in your country. Very interesting! BTW, judging from your new pics, this probably is the Brit pattern with a shortened blade (you can see where the ridge on the side of the blade originally would have come to the tip. I think it has wonderful character and I'm glad you gave it a good polish. Too bad we may never know for sure how it ended up in your neck of the woods, but the most likely case, I think, is as an import. The wear & tear came in it's long working life serving on a local merchant ship.