Revolutionary War era side knife/dagger

[M ELEY]

Here we have a nice old spear-point type dagger from the late 18th century. The blade is very sharp on both edges, is elliptical in profile with a ridged 'spine' and has a simple coiled wire ferrule. It was made from a file (a common practice back then) and still shows the cross-hatch grooves of its former life. The hilt is of the common 'tool' pattern, again something seen on both weapons and tools of this period. It measures 13" overall, with an 8" blade.

[M ELEY]

I know that many folks either question whether the tool handle grips seen on knives and some swords of this era were the originals or something placed there later. I personally believe many of these types were made this way, especially on the more primitive cutlass-types made by local blacksmiths for sea service weapons. Knives, likewise, could have had anything from plain blocks of wood to tool-type grips. Some might remember the cutlass I bought from CC a while back with a tool-type handle-

[M ELEY]

During both the American Revolution and early Federalist periods, many of the swords of the period were made 'no nonsense'. As they were not officer's grade, were made as true battle implements, made in small batches by local smiths and (in the case of naval weapons) had no specific patterns assigned to them, most were made on the cheap, often ersatz from what the maker had in hand. Here's another cutlass type (not mine, unfortunately) with a turned wood, tool-type handle-

[M ELEY]

For similar examples, see "American Swords from the Phillip Medicus Collections" by Mowbray. Also see this old thread concerning my Federalist cutlass-

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24268

[Jim McDougall]

This is an excellent entry Capn!
During the Revolution, naturally the majority of colonists weapons were ersatz versions (as you often note) of the usual forms, but of course crafted by the same blacksmiths who created tools for everyday use. It does not seen far fetched to see that handles of the forms used on tools and implements would not only serve as working elements of these weapons, but influence the crafting of other examples as well.

The use of files to fashion blades was indeed common in these times, in fact the famed 'Bowie' knife which made James Bowie famous from the 'Sandbar fight' was crafted from a file (actually for his brother Rezin, who gave it to him before the event).

[M ELEY]

Hello Jim and great to hear from you as always! Thanks for your comments as well. I know it takes a special kind of collector (me, being one of them!) to not be turned off to these type weapons. In their primitive state, they aren't flashy nor sleek fighting tools. What they are, though, is the real deal. Fighting 'tools', if you will. You had recently sent me that fascinating information on Rezin's famous bowie, indeed made from a file! Neumann lists several knives like mine with the tool-type handle in his "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution" for those interested.

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks for posting this again Capn!
This is really interesting and clearly the kind of ersatz weapons we have discussed, and most fascinating that most unusual clipped point. This unusual style of rebated point reminds me of some of the 'scymitars' often pictured in the pirate references in old woodcuts, which we have always regarded as artistic license.
It is also mindful of European swords in the cuttoe group, often used as cutlasses or short sabers and resembling some of the 'oriental' styles used by the 'pandour' forces of East Europe mid 18th c. Seifert (1962) in fact shows a similar blade in drawings plate calling it a 'pandour' point.

Considering the diversity of the colonial population it is tempting to think perhaps someone of that heritage might have been inclined to such a blade.

[M ELEY]

We have seen piracy spread all over the world, with Berber corsairs from the West African coast, Arabic pirates, East Indian pirates, Indonesian and Phillipino coastal raiders, pirates from the Celebes and Chinese pirates. From any one of these cultures, we see scimitars and parangs and campilions and dao. Many of the mentioned weapons had such clipped tips! Most pirate crews were a mixed bunch anyway, somehow working together despite their ethnic, cultural and sometimes religious differences. It is my opinion, as you stated, that these clipped blades were certainly around, if for nothing more than to intimidate those they threatened with death if they didn't surrender! Of note is the so-called Baltimore or Mayweg cutlasses of the War of 1812 era, with their clipped points. I can imagine a nice pandour saber on the deck of a ship. That would be very intimitating indeed!

[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!!!

[M ELEY]

The Nathan Starrs always did have that curious 'cant' to their blades as well. I feel on my canted blade that it started out life as a truly massive horseman's saber, like several canted examples in Nuemann's guide, but was repurposed/clipped and made into a cutlass either during the Rev War or possibly post-1800 for the War of 1812 era. I imagine the cant on a cavalry sword would have helped with the cleaving effect when riding down an enemy. As far as on a cutlass-type blade, it really does aid in the swing, but it is a little cumbersome. Cutlasses weren't made for any 'Errol Flynn' fighting moves! I remember owning an old 19th c. manual on how to train simple sailors how to fight with them. It was like Step#1- Raise your cutlass! Step#2-Chop the bastard! There were a few defensive blocks and a little footwork, but that was it! A simple heavy killing tool used in tight quarters where there was no fancy footwork and try not to hit your own fellows when swinging!

[CutlassCollector]

Nice old knife, it's always surprised me the way files are repurposed for other uses, even today.

I see an old friend there! I love these old cutlasses as well, nothing fancy just unadorned weapon.

Lets not forget the clip point continued into the late 19th century on the Klewang (see swap forum) and into the 20th on the 1917 US Cutlass, which is almost identical.