Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good original U.S. Navy Model 1917 Naval Cutlass, the final new cutlass pattern adopted by the United States Navy before the traditional edged boarding weapon finally disappeared from active inventory after World War II. This example retains its distinctive clipped-point blade, blackened steel half-basket guard, crosshatched wooden grip, and the essential U.S.N. ownership marking on the ricasso.

The Model 1917 represented a major departure from the familiar Model 1860 Naval Cutlass, which had served the Navy since the Civil War era and remained aboard American warships for decades afterward. The Mariners’ Museum notes that the Model 1860 continued to appear in shipboard arms racks even into the opening years of World War II despite the adoption of the later pattern in 1917.

For its new cutlass, the Navy adopted a form strongly influenced by the Dutch klewang, particularly the heavy short swords developed for the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army around the turn of the 20th century. These Dutch weapons combined a broad clipped-point blade with substantial hand protection and had proven practical for close-quarters use in colonial service.

The resulting American Model 1917 retained that general concept but incorporated its own distinctive features. The blade is broad, slightly curved, and terminates in an angular clipped point with a short false edge. A long central fuller reduces weight while preserving rigidity.

The US Navy then went to its mainstay cutlass maker the Ames Corporation who amazingly though politely declined the contract for no officially known reason. The US Navy was intent on replacing the aging M1860 cutlass, so they decided to manufacture it themselves in one of its armories. This was the first time that the US Navy manufactured its own cutlass and it is believed that the production took place at the Navy Yard either in New York or Boston. Records are scant regarding who and where and even how many of the M1917 cutlasses were actually made.

Along with the distinctive clipped point, full half basket cup, and wooden cross-hatched grip the only other identifying mark on this cutlass are the large initials U.S.N. found on the obverse ricasso.

Additionally, it is not even known whether the M1917 naval cutlass was even issued to the fleet. There are no records of this specific cutlass being issued, inventoried, or part of any ships armament. There are no period photographs of either sailor or marine carrying this particular model of cutlass, even though there are period photographs of the M1860 being used in the 1930s during some of the Chinese uprisings and unrest.

This example is in good service-used condition, with some oxidation spotting on the blade from long use and storage. The original blued / blackened finish is retained at over 80%. The grip shows wear to the paint showing the wood underneath.

The large U.S.N. marking remains clearly visible on the ricasso and is the most important identifying feature separating an original Navy Model 1917 from superficially similar Dutch klewang-pattern swords.

The combination of its correct 25-inch clipped-point blade, 29¾-inch overall length, steel half-basket guard, crosshatched wooden grip, surviving dark finish, and clearly stamped U.S.N. ricasso corresponds closely with documented museum examples of the Model 1917. Although portions of its original production history remain unresolved, the physical characteristics and Navy marking leave little doubt as to the identification of this scarce American naval cutlass from the First World War period.

Dimensions:
Blade Length: 25”
Grip Length: 4 ¾”
Total Length: 29 ¾”