Here is a nice original example of an Ames 1862-dated government naval boarding cutlass that would have been carried by U.S. Navy seamen aboard ship during the Civil War. The blade is New Jersey stamped with “N.J.” on the obverse ricasso of this cutlass. Blade measures 26” long, 1¼” wide at the ricasso and has a flat back with a single, wide, unstopped fuller with a light gray sheen. Blade exhibits scattered very light pinprick pitting overall with a number of tiny nicks on the blade edge. On the reverse ricasso is the date “1862” while the obverse ricasso bears a thin maker’s four-line address that reads “MADE BY / AMES MFG Co / CHICOPEE / MASS” all with in the scroll pattern. “MASS” is worn away and other stampings visible but light. The two Jersey initials “N. J.” strong stamped just above the maker’s mark.

Brass hilt, often referred to as a ‘soup ladle’ guard, is a rounded cup of heavy sheet brass riveted to the quillon and knucklebow and provides grip protection to the user. Guard shows no evidence of cleaning and wears a pleasing bronze patina. Inside top edge of the quillon is stamped “8M / 669” which are thought to be rack position numbers on the ship. The boarding cutlass was derived from the French pattern of 1833, often referred to as a “cullere a pot” or more commonly called the “soup ladle” weapon. Cutlass retains its leather washer. The carved wooden handle is wrapped with original black bridle leather that is in excellent condition. The grips have none of its original double-twisted brass wire wrap. The high domed brass pommel is of the Phrygian design.

Original leather scabbard body, which measures 25” long, is in strong condition with no breaks, cracks or separations. Scabbard does suffer one weak spot directly at the tip of body where the blade point has penetrated, easily repaired. The very strong scabbard retains its brass stud or finial strongly secured at top edge of the scabbard. All forty copper rivets are tight along the seam. A fine, reasonably priced Civil War naval cutlass with its very good leather scabbard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!