Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a heavily oxidized relic example of a late 18th to early 19th century naval boarding cutlass of the classic “Figure-of-Eight” pattern. Swords of this general form were used by both British and American naval forces during the post-Revolutionary War and War of 1812 era. This example retains its straight single-edged blade, long fuller, iron figure-of-eight guard, and plain iron grip.

The 27 1/4” blade is straight without any serious deviation, with one single fuller present for the majority. It is of the standard cutlass design for the period, and is 1 1/4” wide at the ricasso. The hilt is designed in the style of late 18th century cutlasses with an iron grip. This was not replaced with a ribbed grip until the 1804 model. The overall length of the cutlass is roughly 32 1/4”.

The guard has some material loss from the oxidation as shown on one side. Some of the edges of the hilt are very sharp as a result, so exercise caution. There is one small hole in the grip, but otherwise it is solid. There is heavy pitting to every part of the cutlass, with heavy edge-nicking to the blade.

Naval cutlasses were deliberately short, heavy swords intended for close fighting aboard ships. Their compact blades were easier to maneuver around rigging, guns, spars, and confined deck spaces than longer infantry or cavalry swords.

The figure-of-eight guard became a familiar naval form during the 18th century and is documented on cutlasses associated with both British and American naval service. American forces inherited and adopted a wide range of European-inspired naval weapons after the Revolutionary War, and similar figure-of-eight cutlasses remained relevant during the early decades of the United States Navy.

The deeply pitted iron surfaces, substantial guard loss, edge damage, and stabilized corrosion make this very much a relic example rather than a conventionally preserved sword. At the same time, its recognizable figure-of-eight hilt, straight fullered blade, and plain iron grip preserve the principal features of an early naval boarding cutlass from the period surrounding the War of 1812.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 27 1/4"
Blade Style: Naval “Figure-of-Eight” Cutlass
Overall length: 32 1/4”