Union Car Works Cutlass Confederate Cutlass

Union Car Works Cutlass Confederate Cutlass– Inventory Number: CON 538

This pattern of Confederate naval cutlass with cylindrical, grooved grip, wasp-waisted blade, and flat S-curved guard, was first thought to have a Virginia origin. Albaugh first suggested they were made in the Norfolk area and then settled on the Union Car Works of Portsmouth as the most likely source. The book Collecting the Confederacy, identifies them as coming from Columbus, Georgia, also the principal source for the painted canvas used on the few surviving scabbards and belts found with them, and identifies the maker as the Confederate operated Naval Iron Works. This was the old Columbus Iron Works, a large operation founded in 1853 and leased by the Confederate navy in 1862, producing ordnance, steam engines, machinery, and armor plate, and helping to build the CS gunboat Chattahoochee and the ironclad Muscogee among other activities.

This example is in very good condition. The blade is smooth metal with pleasing silver gray and darker gray colors with a good edge. It has the characteristic median ridge and a pronounced “wasp waist” blade. The counterguard is constructed of iron, broad, flat, recurved-S shape The characteristics define this pattern, as does the wood grip, which is cylindrical, but with flattened sides to give a better grip. An iron ferrule is present at the guard, and a slightly bulbous pommel with flat top with an inset brass disk as a washer to secure the blade tang, which is neatly peened. Overall length is 23 7/8”; blade length is 18 ¼”.

There were a number of naval close actions fought during the war where cutlasses and other small arms were brought into play in boarding an enemy ship or repelling attackers. The short blades were handy for hacking through the nets hoisted by watchful crews to keep attackers at bay and for wielding in the confined spaces and passageways of the deck. This is very good example of a known, documented Confederate navy cutlass. Accompanied by an old, typed tag which states "From the Ralph J. Warner estate. Bought at Ken Cooper's antiques shop."

* To purchase this item directly by credit card, please click this link.

Inventory Number: CON 538