Edged Wpns Confederate cutlass/Bowie?

[Chrismckee]

Hello new to the forum I have a French boarding cutlass dated October 1840 The blade has been shortened to 19" and the cup has been removed from the handle this weapon shows signs of extreme combat I have heard the confederate army had French m1833 cutlasses I was wondering if this was possibly modified into a D guard Bowie by the confederates? I doubt the French navy would have done this to a cutlass

 

[Glen_C]

Welcome aboard

Without some sort of provenance and chain of ownership, there really isn't more than a possibility for a story.

I guess start where it surfaced.

I've not ever seen another 1833 with this trim. The blade are certainly stout enough that I doubt it was broken but perhaps pretty well chewed up. The same with the bowl.

Cheers
GC

 

[mofederal]

Hello and welcome to the CivilWarTalk from Southeast Missouri.

 

[Lubliner]

Welcome from the Railroads and Steam Locomotive Forum. Is it possible to give the weight of the piece?
Lubliner.

 

[Package4]

Hello new to the forum I have a French boarding cutlass dated October 1840 The blade has been shortened to 19" and the cup has been removed from the handle this weapon shows signs of extreme combat I have heard the confederate army had French m1833 cutlasses I was wondering if this was possibly modified into a D guard Bowie by the confederates? I doubt the French navy would have done this to a cutlass

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The problem with "battle damage" is that one never really knows when it occurred. I was at the James Julia Auction one year waiting in line to pay for a few winning bids and struck up a conversation with a very nice lady about swords. When she heard what I bid for a couple of pieces, she said, "Oh my, we had a bunch of those in the attic and the kids found them and would sword fight in the yard."....She also told me about the gray uniforms and little gray caps in a trunk with a wooden canteen, that the kids wore to school plays, but were subsequently thrown away.........!!!!!!!!!

 

[James N.]

I'll briefly mention what should be obvious, that despite the iron cup hilt on these, they were nevertheless the inspiration for the familiar brass-hilted U.S. Model 1860 Naval cutlasses made by Ames. Welcome to the forums!

 

[7thWisconsin]

That little sword may even have been repurposed into a stage or film costume prop at some point, too. Possibly as early as the 1860s! (Well, obviously not a film prop at that point, but you get my meaning!)

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. Interesting piece and anything is possible but I would it not CS.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. Nasty beast for sure

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome from South Florida and the Reenactors Forum

 

[James N.]

That little sword may even have been repurposed into a stage or film costume prop at some point, too. Possibly as early as the 1860s! (Well, obviously not a film prop at that point, but you get my meaning!)

Naturally, in all the "pirate" films Hollywood popped out from the silent era into the 1930's and 40's (like Errol Flynn's Captain Blood, The Sea Hawk, etc.) everybody except the principals - who tend to carry fencing foil "rapiers" - is armed with M.1860's!