Here is a very nice example of an Ames 1862-dated 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 a light gray tone covered with darker mottling overall. No nicks on the blade edge. Markings in the ricasso are “U.S.N. / D.R. / 1862”.

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 with a few age spots. Inside top edge of the quillon is stamped “19M / 232” 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. The leather remains in fine condition. Brass pommel also features stamped inspector’s initials “D.P.”

Original leather scabbard body, which measures 27” long, is in amazing condition with no breaks, but has one old “fold” crease which has not affected the rigidness of the piece. The scabbard retains its brass stud or finial, strongly secured at top of the scabbard. Thirty-eight copper rivets are tight along the seam with one additional rivet closing the tip.

A very fine Civil War naval cutlass with its accompanying leather scabbard. [jet][ph:L]

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