Cutlass

A cutlass is a short, broad sword often categorized as a sabre. It features a blade that is either straight or slightly curved. Only one side of the blade is sharpened to create a cutting edge. A defining feature of the cutlass is its hilt, which often includes a solid guard. This guard may be shaped like a cup or a basket to protect the user's hand.

Because of its sturdy design, the cutlass became a primary weapon during the Age of Sail. It served many purposes, acting as both a combat tool and a practical implement for daily tasks.

The design of the cutlass made it uniquely suited for life on a sailing ship. Sailors needed weapons that could function in the cramped, tight spaces found below decks. The short length allowed for movement in the rigging or during boarding actions. Its heavy, robust blade was strong enough to hack through thick canvas or heavy ropes. It was also effective for clearing dense vegetation in tropical environments. Beyond combat, the cutlass was a versatile tool used for agricultural work. In many parts of the Caribbean and Central America, it is used as a machete.

Historically, the cutlass is a descendant of the medieval falchion. In the 17th century, soldiers and woodsmen used a similar short backsword called a hanger. In German, this type of blade was known as a Messer, which means "knife." Some historians believe these blades evolved from older weapons like the falx or the seax. The word "cutlass" itself has deep linguistic roots. It developed from the 17th-century English use of the French word "coutelas." This French term described a mid-length, single-edged blade similar to a machete. The word may even trace back to the Latin "cultellus," meaning a small knife.

While many people associate the cutlass with pirates, they did not invent it. However, many famous pirate crews used them, including those of William Kidd and Stede Bonnet. The French historian Alexandre Exquemelin recorded the buccaneer François l'Ollonais using a cutlass as early as 1667.

Pirates also used the weapon for intimidation. They might grip the hilt or use the flat side of the blade to force compliance from others. This shows the weapon was used for control as much as for direct combat.

In the 19th century, the cutlass saw use in law enforcement. In 1830, a London Metropolitan Police constable was shot and stabbed while on duty. Following this, the Home Secretary ordered that all officers be issued a cutlass for defense. These officers received training at Wellington Barracks. While they sometimes used the hilts or flat edges to manage rioters, there is no record of anyone being killed by them. The last recorded issue of these police cutlasses occurred during the Tottenham Outrage in 1909.

The United States Navy also maintained a long history with this weapon. The US M1917 cutlass was adopted during World War I and was based on the Dutch M1898 klewang. Later, the US M1941 model was used during World War II. One US Marine Combat Engineer is reported to have used an M1941 cutlass during the Battle of Inchon in the Korean War. Although the US Navy removed the cutlass from its active combat inventory in 1949, it remains part of naval tradition. In 2010, the US Navy approved the optional wear of a ceremonial cutlass for Chief Petty Officers.

Today, the cutlass has transitioned mostly from a weapon to a ceremonial object. The British Royal Navy uses them for formal duties rather than landing parties. For example, Chief Petty Officers wear them when escorting the White Ensign. In the United States, they are worn as part of the Chief Petty Officer dress uniform. This change reflects how the weapon's role has shifted over hundreds of years. What was once a tool for survival on the high seas is now a symbol of naval history and rank.