Pre 1804 Naval Figure Of Eight Seamans Cutlass

Description

Item:
A rare fair condition pre 1804 naval figure of eight cutlass, no scabbard.

Overview:

An early naval cutlass of pre-1804 type, with a straight blade and double guard. This example is crudely made, reflecting the plain, practical character of these weapons.

From the beginning of the 18th century, the cutlass began to be adopted as the melee weapon for naval ratings. The Board of Ordnance placed orders for quantities of these weapons, but they do not appear to have followed a set pattern, with different manufacturers supplying their own styles.

Surviving weapons from this period have blades measuring approximately 25–28.5 inches (64–72 cm), often with a fuller along the back edge. Hilts were made in both brass and steel. Brass was more resistant to corrosion but was heavier and more easily damaged, and many surviving examples show damage to the knuckle guard or quillon. By the middle of the century, improvements in steel production had reduced costs, and the Royal Navy increasingly adopted steel hilts, often painted black for protection against corrosion.

From around the middle of the century, the Board of Ordnance favoured the distinctive “double-disc” or “figure-of-eight” hilt. This form is thought to have originated with weapons supplied by Thomas Hollier of Whitechapel, who sold 1,000 cutlasses to the Board in 1726. The guard comprised one disc forming the crossguard and another protecting the knuckles. Although antler had previously been used for grips, the Board subsequently adopted a plain tubular steel grip, which was cheaper but could be slippery when wet.

Many surviving examples have relatively blunt points and flat blades with limited stiffness, making them better suited to cutting than thrusting. Their heavy blades may also have served the practical purpose of cutting away canvas and ropes aboard ship.

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