Hunting Cutlass Opinions

[Mat J]

more pics

[Mat J]

Hunting Cutlass Opinions

more pice

[Mat J]

Hunting Cutlass Opinions

Reverse of blade

[Mat J]

Hunting Cutlass Opinions

Obverse of blade

[Mat J]

Hunting Cutlass Opinions

Handle

[Mat J]

Hunting Cutlass Opinions

I just picked this stag handled cutlass up off a on line auction site. It was listed as a Imperial Hunting Cutlass. I'm not a collector of these edged weapons but it was the handle that caught my eye. It appeared to be the Polish Falcon. With my ethnenticity being very Polish, I had to have it. The cutlass is 23.5" tip to tip and it is triple etched. Unfortunately it is not makers marked. The obverse of the blade has a stag/elk in the middle and a dog with a game bird in it's mouth at the ricasso. The reverse portrays a fox that has pounced on a pheasant and a scene that contains a variety of swords. (Can't really tell) My friend Rich said if it has the skinning knife (which it does) to get it. So my question is, can anyone identify this cutlass? Is it of Polish origin? Any help would be appreciated. Best wishes,

Mat J

[Billy G]

Mat,

My interest is in the grip emblem, can you tell how it's attached to the stag grip? Is there any movement or is it tight? Any evidence of epoxy or glue?

[Mat J]

Grip Emblem

Hey Billy, the grip emblem is as tight as can be. Zero wiggle or movement. Under close inspection there is no signs of any adhesive. There is a lot of surface area for inspection and I see nothing. Its is very neatly done. Would love to know what you are thinking! Good or bad. Like I stated this is my first Imperial cutlass and any and all opinions are welcome. Any more I can do, let me know. Talk soon,

Mat J

[Billy G]

Mat,

The issue with daggers that exhibit a grip emblem is how is the emblem attached to the grip. An emblem done in the period would normally be pinned through the grip into the hilt. When done this way, after decades, the emblem will snow a slight wiggle when prompted with a touch.

Most postwar added emblems are either glued or jammed into place with a pin that has a sharpened end. In either case, the emblem will be tight & show no movement whatsoever.

I would love to also know when your dagger was made but these dagger type is not my forte whatsoever. Hopefully Gary Southgate can chime in. I suspect he will know what you've got.

[Saufaenger kid]

A nice piece, it is of German manufacture, as best as i can tell it's made by WK&C from around 1900-1920, I doubt it's before this period and not after I would have thought, it's a nice silvered hunting hirschfänger but with the addition of the badge which certainly did not come with it, the only possibility the badge has is if it was put on there by a new owner but I suspect it was put on there to try and make a bit more money out of it, a shame as it spoils the piece, a vast majority of German Imperial hunting hirschfängers were produced without any grip emblems. The skinner looks original to the piece and is rare to still find it with the main hirschfänger.
The blade etch looks good, overall a nice piece.

Gary

[Mat J]

Thanks Gary! I just hope the addition of the emblem doesn't devalue the piece too much. In my mind, I want it to have been added by the original owner back in the turn of the century. At any rate, I'm happy with it and looks great amongst all the other blades. Best wishes,

Mat J

[Billy G]

Mat,

I'm glad Gary looked at the thread, now you've got a real opinion on what you've got.

[Mat J]

Me as well!!!!