Cutlass in militia

[dkloos]

I've read from various sources that short swords were used in place of a bayonet within militia units. Would a maritime cutlass ever be used?? I guess it is possible, if the person came from a sea faring background, but is it really accurate? If so, I will most likely buy one for reenacting. Thanks

 

[3 stinky dogs]

I read that the cutlass was popular in the pacific north west.

 

[onefeather]

yes swords like that were used in place of a bayonet as were hatchets and knives. :front:

 

[HiWayMan]

Museum Replicas (aka United Cutlery) offers a "Hanger" (the land borne term for the cutlass)that would work perfectly for this function. It has a simple bar type handguard and not the traditional Naval style cup guard. It would look much more accurate on a landlubber's belt than a naval cutlass.

 

[Puffer]

I read that the cutlass was popular in the pacific north west.

:huh:Haven't ran accross that one. Can you give me a date & source ?? Not to ?? your facts, but to add to my info. on swords out here in the PNW. In my persona, I carry a couple of swords. (a "Scots Basket hilt",a "hunting" sword (some times refered to a "boar sword.)+ of course my Baker sword Bayonet.
I often get "flak" about swords being carried & used out here during the "fur trade era". Any additional documentation is welcome.

:thanks: Puffer

 

[dkloos]

Would the Scottish basket hilt sword be correct for Rev. War militia? I really like the look of those, and i've seen a few sold in shorter versions, but so far have only seen them worn on Highlanders.

 

[3 stinky dogs]

Hang on, I am headed that way now ! OK, I am digging around at www.therockymountainfurtrapper.com .I cant remember if it was here or on one of the links provided, But they go into some cool stuff. There is even mention of some river being explored and one of the men in the group being Hawaiian. Very cool stuff.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Would the Scottish basket hilt sword be correct for Rev. War militia? I really like the look of those, and i've seen a few sold in shorter versions, but so far have only seen them worn on Highlanders.

Among Scottish desended militiaman, yes.

A hanger or cuttoe would be better for other militiamen.

G.Gedney Godwin - Swords (click me)

Some originals

 

[Puffer]

Hang on, I am headed that way now ! OK, I am digging around at www.therockymountainfurtrapper.com .I cant remember if it was here or on one of the links provided, But they go into some cool stuff. There is even mention of some river being explored and one of the men in the group being Hawaiian. Very cool stuff.

The web site came up "could not find. ::

As to Sandwich Islanders (Hawaiians) out here in the PNW @ an early time - YES. :front: There is an account of the NW Co.losing 2 trappers,to "renagade" indians,around the time of L&C. One of them was a Sandwich Islander.

The HBC stopped off @ the Sandwich Islands on their way to China (a good share of their furs actually went there)On the way back they picked up coral (to use in making cement,& Islanders.The original intent was to use them to replace the French Ca. Voy.s,esp. out here (HBC concidered them a ness.evil(the FCs), they had to put up with & the indians were worse.)In actulality a large portion of them became ag. workers @[url] Vancover.In[/url] fact there were a sizable # working @ the HBC posts when the posts were finally turned back over to the "Yanks"(some feel that @ times there were as many,if not more Sandwich Is.s out here than there were Yanks :: There is a town,just N. of Vancover, that most people think has an Indian name BUT it is actually Hawaiian. If you are interested, Ft.Nisqually has a couple of good books on the subject www.fortnisqually.org

Puffer

 

[flm_shooter]

Museum Replicas (aka United Cutlery) offers a "Hanger" (the land borne term for the cutlass)that would work perfectly for this function. It has a simple bar type handguard and not the traditional Naval style cup guard. It would look much more accurate on a landlubber's belt than a naval cutlass.

Do you have a link? I only find their "fantssy" swords. Don't think they would be PC.

 

[NJm1a]

I've read from various sources that short swords were used in place of a bayonet within militia units. Would a maritime cutlass ever be used?? I guess it is possible, if the person came from a sea faring background, but is it really accurate? If so, I will most likely buy one for reenacting. Thanks

I know for a fact NJ and CT milita laws required either a sword or axe(hawk) as part of the kit. Your best bet would be a "hunting" short sword of the type. Take a look at Neuman's books for ideas. It all depends on your area for your kit. If your from say a large sea port like Philadephia, then yes you would be able to pull off the naval Cutlas, the more inland you go the more unlikely it would be to have such a weapon.

 

[3 stinky dogs]

I am sorey. I am going to try and post the link to it.

 

[adbranaman]

I use a 1742 British Infantry sword.It's H.A. for what I do.If I do 19th. century I can tell them my (grand)father gave it to me and he got it off a dead soldier. :m2c:

 

[HiWayMan]

Fillmore Shooter -

Hanger:

http://www.thesteelsource.com/html/mr500004.htm

 

[Puffer]

Hang on, I am headed that way now ! OK, I am digging around at www.therockymountainfurtrapper.com .I cant remember if it was here or on one of the links provided, But they go into some cool stuff. There is even mention of some river being explored and one of the men in the group being Hawaiian. Very cool stuff.

Found a site on usage of cutlasses[url] --www.northwestcompany.com[/url]

Also, I don't know if this is the Hawaiin your refering to, but a hawaiian by the name of COXE was with D. Thompson's group that explored the Columbia River,from it'sourse to it's mouth in 1810 (the 1st to do so.)The party included 1 Hawwaiin,1 Englishman (Thompson) 4 French Canadians,& 2 Iroquois. On the way back they added 5 englishmen & an Indian "female "Transvestite & her "wife"

Puffer