{"product_id":"original-british-war-of-1812-era-p-1804-naval-boarding-cutlass-by-thomas-gill-of-birmingham-with-king-george-iii-gr-cypher","title":"Original British War of 1812 Era P-1804 Naval Boarding Cutlass by Thomas Gill of Birmingham with King George III GR Cypher","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a very good original British Pattern 1804 Royal Navy boarding cutlass manufactured by Thomas Gill of Birmingham during the reign of King George III. Measuring 33½” overall, it retains its 28⅞” straight blade, deeply grooved iron grip, distinctive figure-of-eight bowl guard, \u003cb\u003eCrown over GR\u003c\/b\u003e royal cypher, government inspection marking, and faint double-struck \u003cb\u003eT. Gill\u003c\/b\u003e maker’s mark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pattern 1804 was the first standardized cutlass adopted for general issue by the Royal Navy. Its short, powerful blade and substantial iron guard were designed for use in the confined spaces aboard ships, where a longer sword could be difficult to handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExamples of this pattern were carried during the Napoleonic Wars and remained in naval inventories during the War of 1812. Thomas Gill received a government order for 3,400 cutlasses in 1808, reportedly completing delivery in 1810. This places the manufacture of the Gill contract examples immediately before the outbreak of war between Great Britain and the United States in 1812.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis absolutely original example is 33 ½” in overall length with a 28 ⅞” straight blade. The iron bowl guard is in the shape of a \"figure eight\" and protects the all iron grip, which is heavily molded with horizontal grooves to enable a sure grasp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is overall excellent with a lovely patina. The ricasso on one side bears a large Crown over “\u003cb\u003eGR\u003c\/b\u003e” cypher. \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKing George III \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003ereigned from 1760 until 1820. The \u003cb\u003ecrowned GR\u003c\/b\u003e, representing \u003ci\u003eGeorgius Rex\u003c\/i\u003e, is consistent with British government arms produced during his reign. Under this is a very faint \u003cb\u003esmaller crown \u003c\/b\u003ewhich was originally a \u003ci\u003ecrown over a War Department Broad Arrow\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spine of the blade has a faint double-stamped maker’s mark, \u003cb\u003eT. Gill\u003c\/b\u003e. This denotes manufacture by \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThomas Gill of Birmingham\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, who made \u003cb\u003e3,400\u003c\/b\u003e of these cutlasses between 1808 and 1810.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost of the surface is covered in old pit markings from extended exposure to sea air, typical of these swords. These were often held in racks on the decks for easy access for the crew to repel boarders. The blade is a bit loose to the hilt with some spacing between the ricasso and crossguard as shown. Despite the looseness it is overall solid. The blade has various nicks along the edge with rounding of the tip. The iron surfaces have developed a dark, naturally aged patina that complements the pitting and wear. No scabbard is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure-of-eight guard, grooved iron grip, Crown over GR cypher, government marking, and double-struck T. GILL signature preserve the defining characteristics of a British Pattern 1804 naval cutlass. Its manufacture during the Napoleonic and War of 1812 era gives it strong relevance to collections focused on the Royal Navy, British boarding weapons, King George III arms, or maritime edged weapons of the early 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe heavy oxidation, edge nicks, rounded point, and looseness at the hilt are significant condition factors, but the surviving markings establish this as a well identified Thomas Gill example of Britain’s first standardized Royal Navy cutlass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecifications:\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 28 7\/8\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Naval “Figure-of-Eight” Cutlass\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 33 1\/2”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45489319870533,"sku":"ONSV26MJL019","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/4691C44A-3B44-4657-81D8-6F2269371653.jpg?v=1785964062","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-british-war-of-1812-era-p-1804-naval-boarding-cutlass-by-thomas-gill-of-birmingham-with-king-george-iii-gr-cypher","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}