December 15, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2020
The US Navy adopted a new cutlass in 1841 and contracted with Ames in late 1841 or early 1842 to supply 3,000. Production was aided by its similarity to the Ames artillery short sword and all 3,000 were delivered by the end of 1842. Further contracts were starting in 1843, but only 6,600 were produced in total, the last delivered in 1846. Other markings are obscure, but the USN / 1842 is legible at the ricasso. Standard configuration with straight, heavy double edged blade with median ridge, no fullers, intended for hand to hand combat and cutting through anti-boarding nets. Brass hilt with feathered grip held by three rivets, ovoid pommel with dome, cast with U.S. eagle with shield, arrows and olive branch obverse and reverse. Flat knuckleguard with wriststrap hole near pommel, reinforced edge, broadens out to form counterguard with quillon terminating in flat disk. The navy was active in amphibious operations in the Mexican War and many of these earlier cutlasses were reissued in the early years of the Civil War. CONDITION: Fair to good. Blade shows pitting obverse and reverse mostly at ricasso, and on reverse near point. Edges good. Tip good. Balance of blade gray with dark gray and brown spotting. Brass rubbed to medium bright with wear to eagle motifs in pommel. Slight bend in knuckleguard near pommel. A scarce early date. SR
Item Dimensions: 27"