Jim Bagshaw did on-line research on the www.vikingsword.com website. Experts in the Ethnographic Arms & Armour forum identified the following characteristics of this sword:
It is a classic Dutch style naval boarding or “scheepshouwer” cutlass.
It has a clamshell hilt with an open guard.
The sword was produced for The Dutch East India Company (De Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) as evidenced by their symbol. This company was established in 1602 with the aim of sending ships to Asia to buy pepper and spices. It later supplied weapons to various countries.
The A, represents the kamer of Amsterdam, one of the chambers in the VOC hierarchy representing key ports.
The 1787 stamping indicates the year of manufacture. It is interesting to note that the other side of the sword is stamped 787. According to the experts, the missing digit on one side is fairly
Dimensions
- blade length – 24.25”
- blade width at the ricasso – 3.15 cm
- overall length – 28.75 “
- curvature – 1.8 cm
- thickness of blade – .7 cm at ricasso (Guard)