Model 1860 Cutlass: How Marlow White has improved the historical design to meet current standards

Photo of a US Navy Chief Petty Officer Cutlass

We have tried very hard to retain the traditional accuracy of our cutlass, while at the same time "modernizing" the service piece to bring it to a similar standard of workmanship and utility that the Navy officer sword and rest of the military service pieces have. Here are our differences from the Model 1860 cutlasses of old:

General -- gold-plating of all components to prevent tarnish
Grip -- wrapped with three twisted wires instead of one to add a richer look to the grip
End Cap -- attached with a recessed screw instead of a pounded rivet or solder to allow for replacement of components which become damaged (e.g., a dented guard)
Blade:
1. Stainless steel instead of carbon steel to prevent corrosion
2. Unsharpened edges to keep us from hurting ourselves!!!
Scabbard Fittings -- Added drag and mouth fitting to enhance longevity of the piece, to reduce wear on the leather, and to bring the piece into the modern era of service pieces. Many older and original Model 1860 cutlass scabbards were raw leather with minimal fittings. Some older Model 1860 scabbards had a very simple mouth fitting; our mouth fitting is a full, slotted covering over the mouth to protect the leather when executing "return cutlass" as all other military service pieces specify.
Scabbard --- Added a steel insert to prevent sag when the scabbard is hung on display.
Markings -- Most service pieces of the 19th century had inspector marks struck into the blade and guard pieces. The modern era has dropped this practice. Our blade depicts the "U.S.N." (or "U.S.C.G.") and the WKC maker's mark in a deep acid etch.

Finally, a personal note. I have handled many service pieces from many different manufacturers. Besides the obvious quality differences, WKC's swords and sabers always feel better-balanced to me when executing manual of arms. Even though I am an engineer, I cannot really explain exactly why this is the case. I suspect it is because of the inertia from using the proper materials in the blade and the hilt, allowing the wearer to begin and end manual of arms movements with precision and with no clumsiness. Simply put, the WKC pieces always feel more natural to me.

When I handled the final prototype of WKC's cutlass, I cannot tell you how excited I was. I could go from "Parade Rest" to "Carry Cutlass" with ease because of the accurate cut of the guard and the overall balance of the piece. One CPO who examined the prototype said that the cutlass naturally "came to the sweet spot."

I have been unable to execute smooth manual of arms with any other cutlass I have seen on the market. In fact, some pieces advertised as "Navy Cutlasses" are in fact "pirate cutlasses" with full clamshell guards that make it virtually impossible to go to "Carry Cutlass."

If this landlubber Army combat engineer can be so forward, I wish you all "smooth sailing" and a renewed sense of tradition.

Tim Cahill
Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)
President

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