Here you will find Price and Availability as well as a brief Historical Analysis and Documentation of the U.S. Navy's last Authorized Naval Cutlass, the Model M1917.
Towards that end of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th Century, and after having retooled it's entire fleet and sailed around the world in the first completely steam driven fleet the US Navy was about to retire its 50 year old mainstay naval cutlass, the M1860, first developed and used for the Civil War.
Just as it did for all of its naval cutlasses, the US Navy went out to seek the best current design of cutlass the world had to offer at that time and chose to pattern its new model M1917 after the Dutch Netherlands Klewang Cutlass model M1898-M1911.
Once the basic adaptation decision was made the Navy added a few enhancements such as the japanned steel hilt with a full half basket cup like its predescor the M1850, (as opposed to the Klewang's open half cup or the M1860's brass cup), and an all wood squarish cross-hatched grip. But apart from that there is little essential distinctive difference between the US Navy's new M1917 and the Dutch Klewang M1911.
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 aging M1860 cutlass and so it 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 cutlass 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 1930's during some of the Boxer uprisings and unrest.
The U.S. Navy's M1917 Naval Cutlass was a relatively plain cutlass made for the enlisted sailor with no frills or gew-gaws, and like its predecessors it had an honesty of purpose about it. This cutlass also came equipped with a full leather scabbard and leather frog (both stitched), with the throat being of leather and tip being of brass, with metal staples/rivets securing both the frog and scabbard.
Here below is an example of the American US Navy model 1917 Naval Cutlass - a weapon for the enlisted sailor:
The above US Navy model M1917 Cutlass has the sweeping upturned blade (called a falchion) with the distinctive clipped point, a single fuller (a fuller is the long groove found on some sword blades, it is there for balance and not as some think for exiting blood). Note again the distinctive closed cup steel hilt. This cutlass certainly has that traditional "piratey" look and feel of a true boarding cutlass seen in all of the movies and artwork of the time.
The only marking on the M1917 were the initials U.S.N. as seen here, no other markings will be found on this cutlass or on the leather scabbard.
As mentioned previously, there are no records showing where this cutlass was actually manufactured other than the Navy did it. It is also unknown as to how many the Navy even produced!
There are no known records showing where this cutlass was stored after it was manufactured, or whether it was ever even issued. This particular model M1917 naval cutlass while not entirely rare to find, is also not so readily available especially in good condition.
However, a visitor to The Pirate's Lair contacted us and relayed information about how his grandfather back in the 1950's found a cache of these cutlass models stashed away in a warehouse in Norfolk, Virginia. Him and a friend each took a cutlass and it has been handed down through the family since then as an heirloom.
The blade of the M1917 was heavily blued and the steel hilt and wooden handle were black japanned. This was (or would have been) a very formidable boarding cutlass and an excellent replacement to the M1860 naval cutlass used during the Civil War up through and including the Spanish-American War.
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Photo showing the obverse side of the M1917 US Navy Cutlass Model M1917 Naval Cutlass and Scabbard.
Photo showing the reverse side of the M1917 US Navy Cutlass Model M1917 Naval Cutlass and Scabbard.
| Excellent Condition - No Scabbard. Classical curved falchion blade with clipped tip and closed half basket cup giving that "piratey look". Definitely does not hide its Dutch Klewang heritage! |
 Click Photo! |
Sold! |
540 659 6209 |
| Excellent Museum Quality Condition! Almost 100% Blueing on the blade. Hilt, Closed Cup and Cross Hatched Grip has almost 100% of the black Japanning (See Photographs). No damage whatsoever, no blade nicks! Deeply etched initials USN on the blade. With RARE Original Leather Scabbard AND Frog! Definitely does not hide its Dutch Klewang heritage! |
 Click Photo! |
$250. Add'l w/ Original Frog Sold! |
540 659 6209 |
| Elegant in Their Simplicity! Custom Crafted Wooden Wall Brackets Specifically for a Cutlass Display or Sword Display for a Secure, Beautiful and Professional Presentation. These Handcrafted Wooden Wall Brackets or Wall Mounts Are Made for the Wide and Large Hilts Normally Found on Cutlasses and Some Swords and Prevent the Hilt or Cup From Touching the Wall. The TPL Wall Brackets Come Complete with 2 Brackets and 2 Mounting Screws, and are Available in 3 Sizes with a Choice of Oak or Walnut Woods! |
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2.25" 2.75" 3.75" specify length and either Oak or Walnut when calling. |
540 659 6209 |
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