Original Item: Only One Available. This is a strong original U.S. Civil War Model 1860 Naval Cutlass manufactured by Ames Manufacturing Co. of Chicopee, Massachusetts and inspected in 1864. Patterned after the French Model 1833 naval cutlass, the U.S. Model 1860 is immediately recognizable by its broad brass half-basket guard, leather covered grooved wooden grip, and heavy curved single edged blade. This example retains its blade buffer and is additionally marked 25M / 986, or 25,986, beneath the guard, placing it very late within the known numbered sequence.

The Model 1860 was adopted for U.S. Navy use immediately before the Civil War and became the characteristic American naval boarding cutlass of the conflict. Its design was derived from the French Model 1833 cutlass, whose broad sheet-metal bowl guard gave rise to the traditional French nickname cuillère à pot, or “soup ladle.” The American pattern substituted a substantial brass guard and combined it with a leather covered wooden grip and a broad, curved cutting blade suitable for close quarters use aboard ship.

The curved 26 inch blade's ricasso is marked on one side with the banner style address, which is almost faded away -

MADE BY
AMES MFG
CHICOPEE
MASS

This identifies the manufacturer as Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts, the principal producer of the U.S. Model 1860 Naval Cutlass during the Civil War. On the other side it is well marked with -

USN
DR
1864

DR denotes inspection by Ames inspector Daniel Reynolds, and these same initials are stamped onto the pommel.

The blade is in fair shape, however it has some oxidation spotting and some areas of heavy pitting and some very minor edge nicks. The original thick leather blade buffer is still intact at the ricasso, something we rarely ever see. The serial number 25M/986 is stamped under the crossguard, for 25,986, one of the highest we’ve seen. The handle is in rough shape with some cracking as shown. The leather is retained about 50%.

The brass basket is missing several of its rivets and appears to have broken during the period with a solder repair that is now broken. Four of the rivets are affected, but the brass basket is not loose.

The strongest historical features of this example are its 1864 USN inspection date, Daniel Reynolds DR marks, faint Ames Chicopee maker address, very high 25M / 986 number, surviving blade buffer, and original brass naval basket hilt. The pitting, grip loss, absent wire, old solder repair that is now broken, and edge wear are all significant condition considerations, but they also leave the piece with a convincing service used appearance. It would be a strong addition to a collection focused on U.S. Civil War naval arms, Ames edged weapons, Union Navy equipment, or the development of American naval boarding weapons.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26"
Blade Style: Curved Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 32“