Naval Cutlasses?

K Williams

K Williams

Joined
Nov 17, 1998
Messages
3,293
Watching Black Sails has me wanting to add a naval cutlass to my collection. Do you have any recommendations for British and/or American models. Custom makers and production? Thanks.
 
IMA has a very nice cutlass reproduction of a French boarding sword. theroyalsword.com has some very pretty stuff but limited stock GGGodwin but some of the rather blech quality and availability. Atlanta Cutlery/Museum Replicas. Kult of Athena for browsing the most common. Baltimore Knife&Sword.

Yarrrrrr

GC
 
horseclover said:
IMA has a very nice cutlass reproduction of a French boarding sword. theroyalsword.com has some very pretty stuff but limited stock GGGodwin but some of the rather blech quality and availability. Atlanta Cutlery/Museum Replicas. Kult of Athena for browsing the most common. Baltimore Knife&Sword.

Yarrrrrr

GC
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Thanks for the info.
 
Yes, horseclover, thanks! The cutlass is one of my favorites! The IMA one...are you talking about the one that was actually made for some kind of French naval function - not antique, but not a modern collector's replica? No scabbard, black basket?

K Williams, I have no hands on experience with this one, yet; but Loyalist Arms has a cutlass that is what the actors used in the Charleton Heston version of "Treasure Island". Been doing some research on it; might pick one up soon. It looks nice...it's the Dutch model. I can't attest to its quality, though.
 
I'm looking for replicas of original designs or new designs made from quality steels and materials. Thanks.
 
The IMA item I mentioned is the French boarding cutlass. There is also the Windlass/Atlanta Cutlery Pirates Companion, that is also the basic French cutlass but in brass (also available in left handed). The Royal Sword stuff looks first rate and GGGodwin has a couple of British patterns.

I am destitute right now but the IMA item has been on a long list for a long time. Eventually, they will be all gone.

There had been a real ringer out there but the second generation of them kind of went off track Those are out there in the $50 range. I lent this one shown out to someone to tweak it and I never got it back. That first batch was very close to the example in Neumann.

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Cheers

GC
 
K Williams said:
I'm looking for replicas of original designs or new designs made from quality steels and materials. Thanks.
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Got one more for you: Google British 1804 pattern, follow the Military Heritage link (The Discriminating General). Down the middle of the page. 1055 steel. Looks pretty nice!
 
John A. Larsen said:
US Navy M1917 cutlass. Cold Steel makes a reproduction in 1055. John
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Worth returning to an old article on the difference between the US 1917 and the klewang pattern.
by Rick Wagner


In Mike's collection on this web page, there is a picture of what The American Sword lists as an M1917 Naval Cutlass. Many call this style a variation of the true M1917 pattern, and with the cut out guard it is an exact copy of the Dutch model 1898 Klewang. However, as far as the name of the American version goes, it could more accurately be called the Model 1941 cutlass instead of the M1917. It was produced in unknown amounts by various contractors during WWII, but since few seem to have marked them it is often impossible to distinguish unmarked Dutch models from the American ones.

The M1941 cutlass seems to have been issued to some enlisted port personnel in the Pacific Theater as possibly a badge of authority, and it was issued to both Army and Navy personnel. The were also many Dutch Klewangs in the Dutch possessions at the start of WWII which the Japanese used, and I assume the Allies did also if they came across a sizable amount. After WWII the use of the cutlass seems to have been used for ceremonial or ROTC duty. The last contract may have been let in 1956.

Like the M1941, the original U.S. Model 1917 was also a copy of the Klewang. However, at the time it was probably cheaper not cut out the guard. I have an example of the '41 in my collection with a khaki scabbard, and U.S. marked on the leather fastener, so variations from the description in The American Sword may be encountered.

The bible of U.S. Naval edged weapons in my mind is Boarders Away Vol.I by William Gilkerson. It's a detailed book but also a good read and I highly recommend it to collectors interested in naval weapons.
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There is a lot of internet discussion re period cutlasses. Too many book sources to list really. Gilkerson, Rankin, Neuman, Peterson, Flayderman, Furr, Hartzler and a number of other authors and titles. There is a listing on Ebay right now for the Annis&&May British navakl swords that even though a bargain, will cost more than these reproductions llisted.

I guess it's really a matter of whether someone buys the repros as tools and toys, or also looking to embrace and learn some of the history. I look at cutlass reproduction prices right now and immediately think of two new books I want this year. The two repro offerings I get itchy about are the IMA piece and something by theroyalsword but at the same time trying to budget too many irons in the fire.

I like the IMA Welsh trench sword too. What the hell, they're only $100.

Cheers

GC
 
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