Sources about cutlasses/hangers?

[Daniel]

I want to write an article about the history of the cutlass, or the hanger, as the two seem to be synonymous. The Old Bailey proceedings on line are great for learning about criminal use of the cutlass (mainly on land) from the 1680s onward, but I think the cutlass is at least a hundred years older than that, and I'd like to have more info about earlier cutlasses.

Also, I'd really like to have more info about who made cutlasses and how. Somewhere there must be some records of the Navy Board ordering cutlasses and paying the manufacturers (or maybe a middleman) to get them. Anybody know where to look?

[Brit.Privateer]

Best place to start is William Gilkerson's "Boarders Away: With Steel." It is so amazing how well documented Gilkerson is, with pictures and drawings all around. Detail is excellent, and will lead you to other sources as needed. You will most likely need to buy, I don't think this book is that common.

[michaelsbagley]

My favourite book on the topic (which I learned about via this message board) is "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution". It start in the mid-1600s (which a very few earlier samples) and carries forward right up until the dawn of the 1800s. Don't let the name fool you, while the focus is on American blades, there are equally as many English and European samples as American blades.

[Matty Bottles]

I find Gilkerson infuriatingly sparse on pre-1750 information, and he will routinely include pictures of a cutlass with no more information than it is a 'typical 17th century shell guard cutlass.' Gee, thanks. That's such helpful documentation.