Cutlass, Model 1826, US Navy, Manufactured by Nathan Starr

Description

This one is a rare antique U.S. Navy Model 1826 contract cutlass by N STARR (Nathan Starr). Nathan Starr’s first contract was in 1797, then 1808 (straight blades), then 1826 curved blades.
Only 2,000 were produced under this 1826 Naval Cutlass Starr Contract. The Starr Contract of 1826 Naval Cutlass is very recognizable with the flared and black japanned one-piece sheet metal iron counterguard and knuckle guard, wooden grip with 10 turned rings and iron ferrules on either end, or especially the distinctive hilt-to-blade angle. Note the one piece sheet metal closed cup counterguard and knuckle guard and the angle of the wooden grip secured onto the single fullered curved blade.
The M1826 naval cutlass also had a new design in that the closed cup and knuckle guard were flanged out along the edges and at the turned down Quilon. The hilt-blade angle was unique and a departure from previous models which is very similar to Starr's enlisted cavalry saber (called the Starr Contract of 1818). The 25" single fullered curved blade had U.S. and stamped vertically on the obverse ricasso with inspector marks "E" and sometimes with an "R" stamped on the reverse side. On this 1826 the manufacturer markings are there but difficult to read.  On the guard of the cutlass is stamped the roman numeral "XIX" which was indicative of the rack or inventory numbers found on many Federal Navy cutlasses. It may be presumed that this cutlass was a private purchase for use on either a Naval ship or more than likely a Privateer.
Inventory Item # 0024