CONFEDERATE CUTLASS

Adapted from a captured Union 1860 pattern cavalry saber and patterned after the US model 1860 cutlass, probably by a ship’s blacksmith. The blade with MANSFIELD AND LAMB maker’s mark to the ricasso and US 1865 opposite. The blade shortened to 24 ¾” with the point reshaped and thinned appropriately. The hilt with the side bars removed and replaced with a brass semi bowl guard. Original wire wrapped leather covered grip, well worn. The hilt with dark patina. The blade with surface rusting which would clean easily, but should be left to preserve the character. The Confederate Navy protected Confederate harbors and engaged with the Union at blockaded ports to draw off gunships allowing blockade runner to dock. As well, the Confederate Navy sailed the globe disrupting supply ships headed to the north. To that end, Jefferson Davis in 1861 declared that the Confederate government would issue letters of marque, to any wishing to aid the South against US shipping, thus establishing privateers under the Confederate flag. The most illustrious of Confederate naval ships was the CSS Shenandoah which traveled as far as Australia and the Indian Ocean, capturing or sinking 38 vessels and remaining active until November of 1865. It was the Shenandoah which fired the last shot (across the bow of a whaler in the Aleutians) of the Civil War.