Original Item: Only One Available. Towards the end of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th Century, the US Navy was about to retire its 50 year old mainstay naval cutlass, the M1860, first developed and used for the Civil War. Just as it did for all of its naval cutlasses, the US Navy went out to seek the best current design of cutlass the world had to offer at that time and chose to pattern its new model M1917 after the Dutch Netherlands Klewang Cutlass model M1898-M1911.

Once the basic design decision was made, the Navy added a few enhancements such as the japanned steel hilt with a full half basket cup like its predecessor the M1850, (as opposed to the Klewang's open half cup or the M1860's brass cup), and an all wood squarish cross-hatched grip. But apart from that there is little essential distinctive difference between the US Navy's new M1917 and the Dutch Klewang M1911.

The US Navy then went to its mainstay cutlass maker the Ames Corporation who amazingly though politely declined the contract for no officially known reason. The US Navy was intent on replacing the aging M1860 cutlass, so they decided to manufacture it themselves in one of its armories. This was the first time that the US Navy manufactured its own cutlass and it is believed that the production took place at the Navy

Yard either in New York or Boston. Records are scant regarding who and where and even how many of the M1917 cutlasses were actually made.
Along with the distinctive clipped point, full half basket cup, and wooden cross-hatched grip the only other identifying mark on this cutlass are the large initials U.S.N. found on the obverse ricasso.

Additionally, it is not known whether the M-1917 naval cutlass was even issued to the fleet. There are no records of this specific cutlass being issued, inventoried, or part of any ships armament. We are unable to locate period photographs of either sailor or marine carrying this particular model of cutlass, even though there are period photographs of the M1860 being used in the 1930's during some of the Boxer uprisings and unrest.

This example is in fair condition with some heavy chipping in the edge of the blade. It has wear from long storage, with some light oxidation on some spots. The original machining and grinding marks are still easily visible on the blade surface, and the guard is in similar condition. The handle is also in great shape, just missing a bit of the black finish on the wood. The ricasso is marked for manufacture by MILSCO.

The leather scabbard is in fair shape, and this is the scarcer brown variation, which has a bit of a different construction, showing some scuffing on both sides, but no major damage. The drag has some denting and damage as shown. There are some bends and small tears in the leather, but it still displays fine.

This Cutlass comes more than ready for display.

Dimensions:
Blade Length: 25”
Grip Length: 4 ¾”
Total Length: 29 ¾”
Scabbard Length: 25 ¼”