The Above Photograph Illustrates a 1770s-1790s American manufactured "double disk figure 8" Navy Cutlass used during the American Revolution with England. While similar to the more refined British-made naval cutlass it is crudely made with round sheet metal grip two hand guards in a figure 8 pattern and a fuller straight blade. This pattern was widely used and commonly found in the mid to late 18th century (1750-1796) by both British and Continental American navies. Most of the double-lobed figure-8 naval cutlasses of this period have the straight blade.

In some cases the American cutlers used either a British or German marked blade (some even with the Royal Cypher) and produced their own hilts and guards to make an "American produced" naval cutlass. These American made hilts and guards were crudely manufactured such as the speciment presented here. It is unclear whether the blade was American made or not.

Of particular interest, this American cutlass was found in a collection just outside of Portsmouth, England and quite possibly was captured during the American Revolution by some British sailor who brought it home as a souvenier.

The above navy cutlass is not at all marked with an overall length of 33" with the straight fullered blade being 28" in length. Of note is that the left and right sides of the front guard have been bent forwards so as to help repel or divert the thrust of another cutlass away from the hand, arm, and body during a fight. Also, the quillon on top of the front guard which is normally tightly curled has been slightly uncurled again to help repel or divert the tip of an opposing cutlass during battle. This modification to the guard was most likely done by an American sailor since it was strictly against naval regulations for a British sailor to make any modifications to a weapon owned by the "Crown".

This naval cutlass could have been produced and used by either the British or American navies - and quite possibly both!

Also See pages 82, 83, 91, 92 and 93 in Gilkerson's "Boarders Away". Page 15, 40, 41, 42 of Rankin's "Small Arms of the Sea Service". See page 185, 186 (#'s 372, 373) of Neumann's "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution".

RARE! American-made Double Disk, Figure 8 Navy Cutlass 1770s-1790s Excellent Condition - Classical Figure 8 Double Disk hilt with round sheet metal grip with fullered straight blade. This piece was found in a collection outside of Portsmouth, England and most likely brought home by some British sailor at the end of the American Revolution as a souvenier! It is now back "home" safely in the collection here at The Pirates Lair!

See pages 82, 83, 91, 92 and 93 in Gilkerson's "Boarders Away". Page 15, 40, 41, 42 of Rankin's "Small Arms of the Sea Service". See page 185, 186 (#'s 372, 373) of Neumann's "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution".

Not For Sale 540 659 6209

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