A scarce British navy 1804 pattern 'Figure of Eight' cutlass...

Estimate

£400 - £500

A scarce British navy 1804 pattern 'Figure of Eight' cutlass with straight single-edged spear point blade, distinctively shaped knuckle guard and diced iron grip. (No scabbard) 86 cm overall length, 74 cm length of blade. The 1804 pattern was introduced during the Napoleonic Wars and was initially introduced with a Japaned hilt and cow horn or wooden grip, the grip was susceptible to waterlogging and splitting given its environment and so was replaced shortly after the initial issue with a textured iron hilt as is fitted to this example. The blade shows signs of historical pitting and corrosion