Confederate Navy Cutlass

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Confederate Navy Cutlass – This cutlass is an unmarked example of a CSN cutlass, produced exhibiting the typical Confederate construction characteristics. The rough, sand cast, brass grip was modeled on the US M1841 Naval Cutlass, exhibiting fish scales; the grip is fastened to the blade via a peening process of the end of the tang through the grip. The knuckle bow is in a D-guard configuration with a drop quillon; both remain in excellent condition, exhibiting a finely aged patina. The slightly waisted blade has a slightly raised, central medial ridge and is still somewhat sharp; there is a small, chipped segment out of the blade that appears to have been induced during the period of use. The cutlass does not retain its scabbard; the blade exhibits a minor amount of pitting, but no rust and remains in overall very good condition.

This style of cutlass apparently was utilized, for the most part, on inland waters and along the coast. The pommel of the cutlass is somewhat crudely marked “CSN” on one side and a diagonally oriented, fouled anchor motif on the other. Cutlasses comparable to this example were made by several manufacturers to include Griswold of New Orleans and Cook & Brother of Athens; like this example, most were unmarked. Many of these cutlasses were delivered to Richmond, sometime in 1861, to be issued to sailors on Confederate ships. These unmarked cutlasses were possibly produced by Charles Wellford at Catherine’s Furnace, in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Measurements: Blade length –   21.25“; Overall length – 26.75”