December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
Rare USN 1860 pattern (actually 1861 according to new research) cutlass with scalloped guard and die cut USN. Rankin guessed these might have been issued to petty officers and the like since some bear inspection marks and officers arms are privately purchased. The navy purchased and issued some 1852 pattern officer's swords, however, so there was likely a small batch of these that was similarly acquired, likely well under one hundred. This is one of those few, bearing not only an Ames scroll address and "U.S.N." over "1862," but also the inspector's initials "D.R." The pommel cap has a brass cap over the blade tang. The guard bears an incised line around the edge, around the edge of the pommel, and along the counterguard, coming to a point at the beginning of the knuckleguard. The shell guard bears slight traces of gilt in the bottom of the impressed lines. The scabbard correctly bears a star mark on the face of the bottom copper rivet. The frog is black bridle leather. CONDITION: Very good. Grip has leather and wire in good condition. Brass has an undisturbed mellow tone. Cup guard has dents overall. One small break in the brass border line of the diagonal stroke of the "N." One nick to exterior edge. Blade smooth, grey mixed with some dark grey areas. No nicks. Good point. Crisp markings. Scabbard very good. Some scuffs. Crazing to the finish, but only minor finish loss. One minor crease on obverse below stud. Tight seam. All rivets in place. Frog very good.
A very scarce pattern, even more so with the inspector's initials. SR. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of George M. Rapport.