EL6347 - A rare Royal Navy cutlass, featuring an 1845 pattern type hilt (which might actually be earlier than 1845) married to a shortened 1796 pattern heavy cavalry troopers' sword. It is believed that when the 1796 pattern heavy cavalry sword was phased out of use (by the 1821 pattern, introduced through the 1820s and 30s), that the swords were then recycled to some extent, and some of the blades were cut down and used on Naval cutlasses. Therefore, this cutlass might date to after 1845, but in my opinion is probably around that date or earlier, as the 1845 pattern cutlass used a hilt type that was already unofficially in use, it seems. The cutlass is all solid, with no movement. It has dark patina and light pitting all over, and the brass numbered plaque suggests that it was stored on a Royal Navy ship in a rack for many years. A nice cutlass and important for the study of British naval swords.
