This 1820 pattern variant Coast Guards’ cutlass was made between 1820 and 1830. The sword differs from the usual 1820 pattern for coast guards in the absence of a side bar to the guard and bears a striking resemblance to the later, 1896 pattern mountain battery sabre of the British Indian army. The main differences between the swords being the shorter blade on the cutlass and the scabbard for the mountain battery sabre being designed to be worn with the curve (belly) of the blade pointing backwards as opposed to forwards, which is the way other curved swords are worn. This was to facilitate kneeling while wearing the sabre and manning the guns. Robson in “Swords of the British Army” suggests that ex-coast guard sabres were used by the Indian mountain battery units prior to the development of their own pattern.
The 620mm curved blade is very similar to the 1796 pattern light cavalry blade, only shorter. The single-edged blade has a broad fuller below a flat spine and terminates in a hatchet point. The blade is in very good condition and retains its original polish.
The stirrup hilt resembles the 1796 light cavalry pattern hilt, although made of brass, not steel. The ribbed cast iron grip retains much of its original black paint and the blade is firm in the hilt.
The cutlass is complete with its black lacquered wooden scabbard with brass locket and chape. There is a shallow ding to the chape and some small areas of loss to the lacquer. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a great example of a scarce coast guard cutlass dating to between 1820 and 1830.
£550.00
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