Royal Navy cutlass, 1804 pattern, British (c 1808-14)

Title	Royal Navy cutlass, 1804 pattern
Nationality	British
Period	c 1808-14

Sold

MAGNIFY

This classic Nelson era cutlass has 'Bate' (Thomas understood but no longer legible) engraved on the back of the blade. In 1808, Bate had a contract to provide some 1,400 of these to the government, the smallest contract quantity of the other makers.

This pattern is based on the late 18th-century cutlass which had a slightly smaller guard and a plain rolled iron tube grip.

The blade (just over 28.5" long) is unfullered, unlike the previous model which had a narrow fuller on both sides. The grip is cast iron, heavily ribbed, and the guard is a single piece of forged sheet steel. There is an inspector's mark on the obverse side of the blade, a crown above 2, which was the Reddell & Bate inspector's stamp for the Birmingham area. There is a Board of Ordnance arrow stamped at the top of the guard.

Its condition is excellent for its age, except that the bulk of the pitch paint has been removed from the outside of the guard, whereas much, if not all of it, remains on the inside. There is some minor rusting of the lapweld on both sides, which has largely been dealt with.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Edged Weapons : Swords : British : 19th Century]

online museum

account

testimonials