^Lot 477 Matched Pair of British Customs Cutlasses.

Matched pair of early to mid 1800's cutlasses used by members of the Revenue Cutter Service, the British government's customs enforcement agency. The Royal Navy took direct control of the revenue cutters (ships) in 1816, so many customs swords were based on naval patterns. Both have 26 1/2" slightly curved thick blades, steel ribbed hilts which were painted black at one time, brass two branch handguards. One is marked with a broad arrow on the ricasso and the other is marked with a crown over the broad arrow. One has the leather washer in place, the other is missing. No scabbards, overall good condition, no damage to the blades, but have some rough patches. These type of Royal cutlasses are pretty rare.