U.S. Navy 1860 Cutlass

Here is a robust and faithful replica example of a U.S. government naval cutlass that would have been carried by U.S. Navy seamen aboard ship during the Civil War. The model 1860 USN cutlass was designed by the N.P. Ames sword company of Springfield Massachusets. The sword was derived from the French Model AIX (1801-1802), albeit with brass hilt and scabbard mounts, rather than the blackened sheet iron used in the French version. The cutlass had a long life, and was only replaced in 1917! The brass hilt, often referred to as a ‘soup ladle’ guard, is a rounded cup of heavy sheet brass riveted to the quillon and knucklebow and provides grip protection to the user. The guard has been cleaned and polished bright. The high domed brass pommel is of the Phrygian design. The wire wrap encompassing the leather-bound grip is gold plated. It also comes with a replica leather frog (sword holster) as originally issued with the cutlass.

The scabbard sits neatly in this strong well-stitched thick-leather frog, which will accommodate any belt width. The sharp, tempered, full tang, high carbon steel blade has a length of 25 1/2 inches (64.8 cm) and is complete with Navy Anchor and Maker's / Inspector's Marks stamped near the grip of the sword. The blade is 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) thick and 1 1/16 inches (2.7 cm) wide at the midpoint. This U.S. 1860 Naval Cutlass measures 31 3/4 inches (80.6 cm) overall and weighs 2 1/2 pounds (1.13 kg).