An American War of 1812 era cutlass

[M ELEY]

A recent purchase from CutlassCollector/David. This is an American private puchase naval cutlass dating to c.1800-15 period. Having done some research on the piece and also having seen similar cutlasses, I feel comfortable with the time period, classification and country of origin.

The single knucklebow stirrup hilt is of the 'reverse P' style, which I was surprised to learn didn't appear until after the m1796 British cavalry sword came about. It was only after that model that the reverse P became immensely popular. Around this time (1800-05), we begin to see British and American patterns adopting the very characteristic knucklebow. For numerous examples of British naval swords with said guard, see Gilkerson's 'Boarders Away'. American swords followed suit with the reverse P in te 1812 era, with makers James Winner, Nathan Starr, William Rose, John Henry, Henry Deringer, Daniel Henkels, and Dunbar & Leonard.(Swords and Sword Makers of the War of 1812, R Bezdek).

Private purchase naval cutlass production still remained the express responsibility of the shipping companies that were placing the orders. In other words, just like during the American Revolution, when it came to supplying the many merchantmen for defence against enemies or as boarding weapons for attacks (privateering), the lowest bidder to make cheap but effective pieces would always win out. Private purchase buying might mean a small order or it could be quite large, depending on the size of vessel or number of vessels. As in the Rev War period, both the British and American private purchase sea swords mostly folowed the patterns of existing naval issue culass and officer's swords, but had a 'flair' all their own when it came to cost, materials, and design. Many of the private purchase had legitimate quality blades (but not always), matched with a simple, even crude blacksmith-made guard (see 'Boarders Away, pg 87.)

The grip on this sword has a plain wooden handle, a common American trait. This feature isn't unique to the 1800 era, but at this time, they began to take on an almost tool-like shape, with a bulbous swelled end towards the pommel area. I did do a repair to the grip, which I rarely do, but was concerned the split wood might get worse over time.

One might queston that this is a naval piece, what with its single knuckle bow, reverse Ps found on cavalry pieces and a blade that might esemble the old m1796 in a way. I would counter those arguments by noting that there are actually many examples of single knucklebow cutlasses in collections (see 'American Swords: From the Philip Medicus Collection', Norm Flayderman, plates 83a, 83b, 83c, 92a, 92b, 92c,9a, 97b, 97c). Also in Flayderman's book one will see plain tooled handles on several of the above mentioned swords.

The key evidence that this is naval is the japanned iron hilt, the lacquer so thick to the 'pommel' area that one can barely make out the tang, which is peened through the back of the grip. The black surface was put on sea service swords to prevent rusting in the salty air. Secondly, this monster blade with the swollen end is blunt for three-forths its length, with only the tip bearing an edge. This exactly coresponds with other naval cutlass of the period, where the blunt end could snap bones and crack skulls, while the edge tip could inflict gruesome wounds.

[M ELEY]

A few more views. Note the broadening tip, falchian-like...

[M ELEY]

Here are other swords of the ca. 1800-15 era for comparison of tooled wood hilts, reverse R knucklebow and guard construction. Note the tooled wood grip on the Baltimore cutlass 2nd down. Also, the reverse P American eaglehead.

[colin henshaw]

A nice buy Mark, congratulations. I like the "primitive" look. Are you going to clean the blade any, or leave it as it is ?

[M ELEY]

Hello Colin and thanks for your comments. Yes, I also like the primitive look and simplicity of private purchase examples.

I felt guilty enough fixing the cracked hilt (pic of the original here), so I'll probably leave the 'blemishes' alone. Don't want to clean it up too much.

[CutlassCollector]

Hi Mark,

Great cutlass!

Regards, CC

[M ELEY]

Thank you, David! I'm told the seller was a notorious Scottish pirate!


Thanks for agreeing to sell it to me. I'm glad to have it for my collection. I am still under the opinion that you blokes in Europe have a much better selection than we do here in the states. Honestly, I live in the southern U.S. and don't find swords like this. I'll occasionally find a gem or two.
Mark

[Hotspur]

Sorry but to me the grip looks like a more modern tool handle. The grip color from sizing to the ferrule seems to attest to that and consider a linoleum or other work knife handle and there you go.

The Rose bladed/Wolf eagle hilt as well looks like a modern reconstruction of the grip but it is represented in books as old.

Best
GC