Unknown sword, maybe naval sword?

carlos · 10th February 2014, 07:28 AM

Hello !
This is my last adquisition, normally I don,t ususally buy this type of sword, but in this case, finally I bought it.
Seems a naval sword with a handmade basket hilt, please opinions, I hope this was a good sword.
Seller description: Vintage 25" Sword with Wooden Spiral Handle

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Swor...vip=true&rt=nc

Thanks in advance
best regards
carlos

Timo Nieminen · 10th February 2014, 10:21 AM

Looks like a training cutlass. If so, it should have a blunt blade (blunt as in 1mm or more thick edge) and rounded tip. The tip on this is too pointy. Perhaps it's a training cutlass where the tip has been modified? Perhaps the edge has been ground sharp too.

(Googling for "training cutlass" should find some examples.)

carlos · 10th February 2014, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timo Nieminen

Looks like a training cutlass. If so, it should have a blunt blade (blunt as in 1mm or more thick edge) and rounded tip. The tip on this is too pointy. Perhaps it's a training cutlass where the tip has been modified? Perhaps the edge has been ground sharp too.

(Googling for "training cutlass" should find some examples.)

Thank you very much !!
Carlos

Jim McDougall · 10th February 2014, 08:01 PM

As Timo has astutely observed, this does appear to be one of those 19th century training weapons, which did not of course follow any sort of regulation or pattern and were privately produced usually. Most of the maritime weaponry was privately produced as well in these earlier times in the 19th century for commercial vessels .

I had one of the British military training swords with a thin, stiff blade and a huge steel bowl, I think dated around 1911, but it was fascinating.

This one Carlos has a unique, rugged charm to it that brings to mind things nautical and though far later and fancifully, surely has a 'pirate' ring to it!

Wait til Mark Eley sees it!!!

fernando · 10th February 2014, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

... that brings to mind things nautical and though far later and fancifully, surely has a 'pirate' ring to it!

Wait til Mark Eley sees it!!!

Ah ... tease him

M ELEY · 12th February 2014, 07:52 AM

Yes, indeed, gentlemen!

Training cutlass it is and good to see a naval/nautical piece in so many months on the Forum. There's a small brochure/volume you can still pick up on eBay that is a late 19th c. reprint of the actuall exercises/drills used on the British ships. Not anything close to fencing, but fascinating in their brutal simplicity. One of the reasons that the Americans developed their unique leather helmets were to defend against the brutal, almost blunt strike from the cutlasses of the era. Good find, Carlos and thank you gents for thinking of Ole' Pirate Mark (

)

carlos · 12th February 2014, 10:21 AM

Thank you much everyboby for your answers !!
best regards
carlos

carlos · 12th February 2014, 10:56 AM

Thank you much everyboby for your answers !!
best regards
carlos

10th February 2014, 07:28 AM	#1
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 731	Unknown sword, maybe naval sword? Hello ! This is my last adquisition, normally I don,t ususally buy this type of sword, but in this case, finally I bought it. Seems a naval sword with a handmade basket hilt, please opinions, I hope this was a good sword. Seller description: Vintage 25" Sword with Wooden Spiral Handle http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Swor...vip=true&rt=nc Thanks in advance best regards carlos Attached Images Last edited by carlos; 10th February 2014 at 07:39 AM.

10th February 2014, 10:21 AM	#2
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Looks like a training cutlass. If so, it should have a blunt blade (blunt as in 1mm or more thick edge) and rounded tip. The tip on this is too pointy. Perhaps it's a training cutlass where the tip has been modified? Perhaps the edge has been ground sharp too. (Googling for "training cutlass" should find some examples.)

10th February 2014, 08:01 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,738	As Timo has astutely observed, this does appear to be one of those 19th century training weapons, which did not of course follow any sort of regulation or pattern and were privately produced usually. Most of the maritime weaponry was privately produced as well in these earlier times in the 19th century for commercial vessels . I had one of the British military training swords with a thin, stiff blade and a huge steel bowl, I think dated around 1911, but it was fascinating. This one Carlos has a unique, rugged charm to it that brings to mind things nautical and though far later and fancifully, surely has a 'pirate' ring to it! Wait til Mark Eley sees it!!!

12th February 2014, 07:52 AM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	Yes, indeed, gentlemen! Training cutlass it is and good to see a naval/nautical piece in so many months on the Forum. There's a small brochure/volume you can still pick up on eBay that is a late 19th c. reprint of the actuall exercises/drills used on the British ships. Not anything close to fencing, but fascinating in their brutal simplicity. One of the reasons that the Americans developed their unique leather helmets were to defend against the brutal, almost blunt strike from the cutlasses of the era. Good find, Carlos and thank you gents for thinking of Ole' Pirate Mark ( )

12th February 2014, 10:21 AM	#7
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 731	Thank you much everyboby for your answers !! best regards carlos

12th February 2014, 10:56 AM	#8
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 731	Thank you much everyboby for your answers !! best regards carlos