Here is a very 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 measures 26” long, 1¼” wide at the ricasso and has a flat back with a single, wide, unstopped fuller. Blade is perfectly clean and shiny overall with no nicks on the blade edge. The reverse ricasso is stamped “[anchor] / P / U.S.N. / D.R. / 1862” while the obverse ricasso bears a typically light Ames maker’s four-line address that reads “MADE BY / AMES MFG Co / CHICOPEE / MASS” within a scroll.

Brass hilt, often referred to as a “soup ladle” guard, is a rounded cup of heavy sheet brass riveted to the knucklebow and provides hand protection to the user. Guard wears a pleasing bronze patina. Inside top edge of the quillon is stamped “24M / 385” 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.

Original leather scabbard body, which measures 26” long, is in wonderfully strong condition with no breaks or folds. Patches of light surface crazing. The strong scabbard retains its brass belt stud or finial strongly secured at top of the scabbard. Forty copper rivets are tight along the seam including the rivet closing the tip. A very fine Civil War naval cutlass with its accompanying leather scabbard. [jet]

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