Revolutionary War era side knife/dagger

Jim McDougall · 17th June 2025, 09:15 PM

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 · Yesterday, 09:10 PM

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 · Today, 10:00 AM

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.

Today, 10:00 AM	#3
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 358	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. Attached Images

17th June 2025, 09:15 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,297	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!!! Attached Images

Yesterday, 09:10 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,166	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!