Police cutlass, British (c.1840-1867)

Title	Police cutlass
Nationality	British
Period	c.1840-1867

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This is the classic police sidearm of the mid-Victorian era. It was issued for riot and prison duty and convict escort, not carried routinely by the constabulary. It was almost certainly made by Parker Field of Holborn, though not marked as such. Unusually, it appears to have its original leather frog, which is somewhat damaged.

It is a brass mounted weapon with a fishskin grip, this latter being in particularly nice condition. The spring clip safety feature on the cutlass was introduced in 1867.

The last four inches of the reverse of the scabbard at top and bottom have suffered damage to the leather and seam; the centre section of the seam is still intact. There is a small split on the obverse side of the bottom chape.

The blade (nearly 24" long) is lightly stained throughout, though retaining vestigial traces of the original factory finish at the forte. The frog has been sliced halfway through with a diagonal cut and there appear to be some constabulary marks on the revers: 'R.D. // 85 (or 86?' plus some other letters and numbers.

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[Edged Weapons : Swords : British : 19th Century]

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