EL6956 - Unusual Brass-Guard variant of the 1845 pattern Royal Navy cutlass. There are no markings I can see on the hilt or blade, so attributing this cutlass is difficult. It could either be a private purchase version of the 1845 pattern cutlass, for a private ship, or perhaps an export version for a foreign navy. It is of good quality and I imagine was made by one of the main makers of the day, such as Reeves. The hilt is rock solid on the tang and the bright blade has been well service sharpened. The grip was probably originally painted black, but is now a pleasing plain iron finish. Full length 29 inch blade, so presumably dates to before 1858, when most of them were shortened.
