What is that short sword on table?

[A. F Medic]

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[bearhunter]

Looks like a naval cutlass. Wether or not it's standard issue or not depends on whether the basket and bezel are gold plated or brass.

[conductor]

I can tell you that it's not any sort of cutlass I've seen in nearly 40 years of collecting swords. The hand guard looks similar to a US Model 1850 foot officer's sword, but the blade should be about 28 inches.

I could probably tell you more if you had some close-up pictures of the sword, but at this point - if I had to guess - I'd say it was a regulation sword that was cut down for wear by a child. This sort of thing was not at all uncommon in 18th and 19th century Europe.

The scabbard is the type generally used on a cavalry saber. Cutlasses almost always have leather scabbards with a single stud near the throat for use with a belt frog.

And one other thing...Bearhunter referred to a "bezel". I've never heard that term used in reference to a sword. What is it?

[bearhunter]

conductor, I should have learned by now to keep my fingers off the keyboard, when I don't know what I'm talking about. It was the short length of the sword that led to my untrained and obviously wrong observation. I will stick to firearms.

The bezel, is the sloping edge of a cutting tool, which of course, isn't even visible in the photo.

[A. F Medic]

Thanks for your imput about the sword. It just did not look right! I bet you this Monday the bidding will be hot and furious. I will just sit back and watch the comedy.

Without this forum, I probably would have bid on it and hoped. Probably turn out to be an antique bread slicer!! Thanks again...

[Peter Laidler]

It looks to me like a British Navy midshipmans dirk. Not wrth too much as I understand it. But if it was used by Nelson when he discovered Australia it might be worth a bit more

[Jim]

That is no kind of "dirk" I've ever seen. As a rule, a "dirk" is a long, straight bladed and generally double edged knife with a straight cross guard. I have to agree that appears to be some sort of cut down mounted service or officers sword.

Re the "bezel" I would have sworn he meant "bevel" but I looked it up before typing my opinion on it (thank goodness) because his definition is dead on.