Collection Highlights
Manhattan Rifles!
Date:
1861-1865
Object Number:
PR.055.3.226
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Cutlass
Object Number:
X.143
Date:
1790-1810
Medium:
Steel, iron
Dimensions:
Overall: 33 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/4 in. ( 85.1 x 11.4 x 10.8 cm )
Description:
Cutlass with wide, straight, single-edged steel blade that tapers only slightly from hilt to point; large oval sheet metal (iron?) counter-guard curves into knuckle-bow, which widens into an oval shape at center and is pierced with slot for sword knot near juncture with pommel; cast iron grip with corrugations.
Gallery Label:
This sword is identified as a British Naval cutlass in the accession records. The shape of the counter-guard and knuckle-bow and also the style of the grip are typical of British cutlasses of the period (see Harold Peterson, "The American Sword, 1775-1945," p. 51).
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
