Here is a very nice example of an Ames 1861-dated naval boarding cutlass that would have been carried by U.S. Navy seamen aboard ship during the Civil War. The blade measures 26” long, 1¼” wide at the ricasso and has a flat back with a single, wide, unstopped fuller. Blade is mostly bright with scattered darker spotting; mostly around the ricasso area. No nicks on the blade edge. No markings other than the light “1861”.

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. Guard wears a pleasing bronze patina. Inside top edge of the quillon is stamped “25M / 404” 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 carved wooden handle is wrapped with original black bridle leather. There are a few cracks in the grip and some minor loss of leather, otherwise all good.

Original leather scabbard body, which measures 26” long, is in good condition with no breaks, but has the usual surface crazing and one spot (5” from tip) that looks like an old fold or where it was sat on. The scabbard retains its brass stud or finial strongly secured at top of the scabbard. Thirty-eight copper rivets are tight along the seam with one additional rivet closing the tip. Tip of cutlass pokes through at end of scabbard.

A fine Civil War naval cutlass with its accompanying leather scabbard. [jet] [ph:L]

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