Here is an original Ames 1862-dated naval boarding cutlass that would have been carried by U.S. Navy seamen aboard ship during the Civil War. The blade measures approximately 26” long, 1¼” wide at the ricasso and has a flat back with a single, wide, unstopped fuller. Blade has been cleaned. There are small patches of pitting as well as numerous small nicks and “chatter” on the blade edge. The reverse ricasso is stamped with an anchor over “1862” while the obverse ricasso bears a worn and typically light Ames maker’s four-line address that reads “MADE BY / AMES MFG Co / CHICOPEE / MASS” within a scroll.

Brass hilt, often referred to as a “soup ladle” guard, is a rounded cup of heavy sheet brass riveted to the knucklebow and provides hand protection to the user. Inside top edge of the quillon is stamped “11 M / 598” which are thought to be rack position numbers on the ship. The boarding cutlass was derived from the French pattern of 1833, often referred to as a “cullere a pot” or more commonly called the “soup ladle” weapon. Cutlass retains its leather washer. The ribbed wood handle retains about 65% of the leather wrap. Pommel is in fine condition. All brass components have been cleaned to shiny bright.

A genuine Civil War naval cutlass.  [jet]

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