Original British Napoleonic Era Brass Hilted Cutlass marked Kent County Militia Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Everyone knows that Britain is an island, which is why it has remained uninvaded since 1066. The Spanish tried it in 1588, Bonnie Prince Charlie tried it in 1745 and NSDAP Germany under AH almost tried it in 1940. However the GREATEST threats of all came during 1795 and 1815. Firstly with the possible export of the French Revolution and secondly and much more seriously from NAPOLEON BONAPARTE in 1805.

Real PANIC grasped Britain once King Louis XVI lost his head in 1794 and this returned ten years later with Napoleon’s massing of Troops on the Channel Coast. What saved Britain was Horatio Nelson and the Royal Navy’s defeat of the combined French and Spanish Fleets at TRAFALGAR in 1805. Napoleon was eventually routed at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

In the last decade of the 1700’s every County and many great estates started Militias to face the potential of Napoleon’s invading French Armies. KENT in the extreme South East corner of England would be the first to face the foe, so every able bodied man took up arms. This Militia Sword Cutlass is simply constructed with a stout 25″ curved blade mounted onto a brass hilt. The guard originally had three brass bars for hand protection but the two outer bars often got in the way and were removed, though traces can still be seen. The brass grip is fully covered in brass “rings” to give extra purchase. The back of the blade still bears the blade Maker’s name of OSBORN. Fortunately the Napoleonic Invasion did not happen but Britain was ready.

Stamped KENT. M. for Kent Militia on the cross guard, ready to display.