rusty rebuild...

[adam cyphers]

so my wife gave me this rusty cutlass/saber about 2 years ago...i just thought about it today..think ill rebuild it for my kit...but i need help classifying it..ill try to post pics later here are the dimensions....length of blade from tip to guard...29 3/4 "sharpened along the back 4 3/4"the handle is 4 3/4"....1"wide on the side1/8 wide on the spine...the edge begins 6 1/8" from the guard...the guard is cheap pressed sheet steel.i plan on replacing it.it looks kinda like a basket hilt.any help is most welcome....antler or teak for the handle?

[Quartermaster James]

My votes for teak. Maybe cut a spiral groove in it and lay in some twisted wire. Depends a lot on what you're going to do for the guard.

Looking forward to the pics.

Have you worked with antler?

Oh! And you might just find that the rust, if it's not too far gone, cleans up to a nice browning.

[adam cyphers]

oh itll brown nicely ty quartermaster.ive worked w antler some.its what my belt knife is handled with.im thinkin of makin some fids with it too.but i want to find out if its period.im taking pictures now.

[adam cyphers]

[adam cyphers]

[adam cyphers]

the white marks(flour...i was in the kitchen and it was close)are respectivly where the edge begins about 6 inches from the handle and the back edge ends approx 5 inches...for exact measurements see my first post...

[captscurvy_nc]

I had a cutlass simular if not exactly that style that my sister bought in india. Very simular design right down to the cuts in the hiltwork. It was a decent looking blade but the steel was very cheap and broke easily so be carefull when trying to clean off the rust. Just speaking from experience but it will make for a great project and I can't wait to see how it turns out

[Capn Bloody Sam Rackham]

Aye!

I've got one o' those. It's an inexpensive display saber made in India.

I jest hang mine on the wall fer looks!

[Capt Thighbiter]

Hmmmm. 29+ inches makes it a sabre or cavalry sword of some sort. Too long for a cutlass.

[adam cyphers]

Yep...out to the forge later on to shorten it.bout 6 inches or so...

[PoD]

I had the same sword and after a good going over with a grinder and some blade shortening i made this:

https://pyracy.com/index.php?showtopic=16209

Although I am dismantling that sword now and shortening the blade a little more to make a 17th century hunting hanger