Courtney & Tennent Confederate Naval Cutlass
Item #: AA3304
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This is a Confederate naval cutlass manufactured by Robert Mole of Birmingham, England and imported by the Charleston, South Carolina firm of Courtney & Tennant during the Civil War. At the outbreak of the Civil War Tennant was sent abroad to act as a purchasing agent for the Confederate Naval Department. He was instrumental in purchasing nearly everything the Confederate Navy would require to operate, from cannons to the ship's china. While he was in England, Tennant secured a contract with Robert Mole, a very established sword maker in Birmingham, England. Mole produced two different variations of the naval cutlass for the Confederacy, one with a rarely seen sheet iron basket style guard and the more common brass three branch style guard resembling found on the British P1853 Cavalry saber. Both variations used the checkered leather grip scales found on British sabers of the period. Mole had been supplying the British government with a variety of edged weapons, but this Confederate export cutlass follows none of the patterns used by the British government. The Mole produced naval cutlass seems to be a mix of a British made cavalry saber hilt mated to a Roman Gladius style blade. This Confederate Naval cutlass has an overall length of 24 13/16", with a blade measuring 19 1/2". The double edged, wasp style blade has a dark steel gray patina with scatter freckling along the entire length on both sides. There is a small amount of pitting at the tip of the blade on the both sides. The blade still retains a good edge from period sharpening. The spine is stamped on the top with MOLE just forward of the guard. The reverse ricasso is stamped with COURTNEY & TENNAT/CHARLESTON S.C. within a rectangular box. Both stamps are very crisp and legible. The leather throat washer is missing from the blade. The three branch brass guard has an untouched, dark chocolate patina. The letters VSS have been stamped into the front of the guard just below the quillion. The peen of the full length blade tang is undisturbed, and the guard is very tight to the blade. The pressed leather scales retain some of the checkering, but show wear from actual handling and use. They have experienced some shrinkage at the top and bottom. The five original iron pins still retain the scales, and are tight to the tang. This is a nice example of a British made Confederate Naval cutlass that was retailed by Courtney & Tennant of Charleston, South Carolina, and will be a fine addition to your Confederate Navy collection!
Shipping Weight:
4 lbs
Item # AA3304
(Sold)
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