Original Item: One-of-a-kind. Most people know that traditionally British police never carried weapons other than a short truncheon or night stick.However, in the Victorian age each police officer was issued a special cutlass, usually individually numbered to the constable’s “police office” what we now call a police station.
This example is particularly nice. Offered in wonderful condition retaining all its shark skin ribbed grip covering. Full brass single bar knuckle bow with matching brass mounted leather scabbard. The sword features a cutlass lock on the left side of the cross guard which unless depressed locks the blade to the scabbard.
Of particular note is that the inside of the brass scabbard top mount is engraved:
POLICE OFFICE
HYDE PARK
No.14
The marking denotes the place of issue and use, perhaps at Kensington Palace on the South side of Hyde Park.
The 22.5″ inch cutlass blade shows most original polish and no abuse, overall length 30″ making this a a very fine British Police cutlass from the Victorian age!