A curious cutlass

Jim McDougall · 15th March 2026, 09:45 PM

Bob, Thank You! so much for answering!!!!! means a lot here these days!

I can barely make out the squarish mark you refer to, not sure what it might be. ....but there is something....I needs some grog! arrrrrrr!

While this cutlass may not be an entirely untouched weapon, whatever modifications seem to be done far after this had been in service originally. The type of blade with triple fullers was quite common through the 18th c. it seems.

What interests me is that curious mark of letters around the triangle. I feel pretty certain that is a later British East India marking which was used toward the end of the Company c.1850s. I cannot yet find the reference but it seems so familiar. Later, the letters became EIG (East India Govt) instead of EIC.
Years ago I was informed by David Harding, who was then writing "Small Arms of the East India Co.", that the EIC did not mark sword blades.

The exceptions were of course with bayonets, which were included with firearms, whose locks were indeed marked.

It seems that refurbished weapons of older vintage in many cases had grips replaced with bone, though otherwise remained intact in original configuration.

The notable activity in the Spanish Main, as mentioned by Mark, indeed lasted far through the 19th century which clearly kept the piracy concept going.
As I noted, this weapon distinctly seems to lean toward India, as noted with the tulwar langet.

Its really hard to forensically assess a weapon through photos, but this cutlass really has character! Again, thank you for responding.

All best regards
Jim

15th March 2026, 09:45 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,825	Bob, Thank You! so much for answering!!!!! means a lot here these days! I can barely make out the squarish mark you refer to, not sure what it might be. ....but there is something....I needs some grog! arrrrrrr! While this cutlass may not be an entirely untouched weapon, whatever modifications seem to be done far after this had been in service originally. The type of blade with triple fullers was quite common through the 18th c. it seems. What interests me is that curious mark of letters around the triangle. I feel pretty certain that is a later British East India marking which was used toward the end of the Company c.1850s. I cannot yet find the reference but it seems so familiar. Later, the letters became EIG (East India Govt) instead of EIC. Years ago I was informed by David Harding, who was then writing "Small Arms of the East India Co.", that the EIC did not mark sword blades. The exceptions were of course with bayonets, which were included with firearms, whose locks were indeed marked. It seems that refurbished weapons of older vintage in many cases had grips replaced with bone, though otherwise remained intact in original configuration. The notable activity in the Spanish Main, as mentioned by Mark, indeed lasted far through the 19th century which clearly kept the piracy concept going. As I noted, this weapon distinctly seems to lean toward India, as noted with the tulwar langet. Its really hard to forensically assess a weapon through photos, but this cutlass really has character! Again, thank you for responding. All best regards Jim