Original Item: Only one available. This is probably one of the Royal Navy’s most romantic weapons, the P-1804 Boarding Cutlass. This absolutely original example is 34″ in overall length, with a 29″ straight blade. The iron bowl guard is in the shape of a “figure eight” and protects the all iron grip, which is heavily molded with horizontal grooves to enable a sure grasp.
Our example is just classic, no longer showing any clear markings except for traces of a proof mark on the left ricasso. Most of the surface is covered in old pit markings from extended exposure to sea air, typical of these swords. These were often held in racks on the decks for easy access for the crew to repel boarders.
In service at the time of Nelson’s great victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, the figure of eight British Naval Cutlass has passed into the Sea Lore of the Royal Navy. A wonderful ORIGINAL example, still finished in black as originally issued, ready to display.