Was the Recruit Chief Petty Officer for my division at boot camp. Was responsible for marching our division around NTC San Diego. Only time I was required to carry a Sabre was when we were in formation. A few rules came with carrying the Sabre. The only person I could relinquish it to was our Division's Senior Chief or Chief (no one else for any reason). It was a dishonour to give it to another division's Chief's, and they did try all the time. I was to salute with it whenever an officer drove or walked by (I'd salute forklift drivers with it if it was dark). Last rule was I was never to run with it. Going to Physical Training one afternoon we were late and our Chief ordered "Double Time". As the entire Division (80 sailors) jogged by me I kept walking. The whole division was laughing and it was a 200 yards before the Chief realized I was still walking, sabre proudly in front of me. Chief came back laughing and said "give me that damn sabre".
It's weird how it was done back in the day and/or on the left coast. In the mid 2000's I was the Recruit Chief Petty Officer of my division in Great Lakes and I had to keep my cutlass with me from about 2 weeks on. When my RDC handed it to me he asked, "do you know what this is?". I said "Sword, Sabre?". He said, "no, it's a cutlass, give me 40 8-counts". I hung my cutlass on my rack while I slept, and had it strapped on my waist while I was awake.
It was only fitting that someone who worked to bring back the on the cutlass should be able to wear it for two such solemn occasions. Fitting way to finish the story.
The gladius was used by legions (literally) of Roman soldiers for generations. It wasn't just something gladiators used, although their name comes from the sword. Overall a most informative video, I enjoyed all the detail.
We still had them in 1970s...I had one as RCPO...mostly ceremonial and drill use...One of the RCPOs really knew how to use it...took fencing when he was young..He had some really fancy moves,,,,
When I was in Great Lakes Naval Training Center as a boot in 1970, we never saw a cutlass. Except for boot graduation formation, we never saw "boots" (leggings), either. We wore out tousers pinch-wrapped an stuffed into our black stockings.
1985 , RTC Great Lakes . Our RPOC carried his cutlass on marches . We wore the white canvas leggings , and carried demilled M1 Garands sans bayonette. I was a stickman , and we carried bare flagstaves until we earned flags to fly from them .
Bruce, I don't know where they kept you but as a recruit in Co. 46, 1970, our RPOC carried a cutlass from 1-1 day until we departed. Leggings were used after service week and the real clean/white ones were worn for graduation.
While I was aware of the 1917 and 1861 cutlasses, I had no idea about the early ones dating to the 1700's and early 1800s. The figure 8 guard does indeed look a lot like the British 1804! Also I had no idea that a version of the cutlass was still used as a ceremonial sword! It must have been so awesome to be involved in bringing that back! My condolences on the passing of your father, but I am glad you got to wear the sword you helped resurrect for the occasion. That new ceremonial cutlass is swell looking sword!
Thanks , Master Chief ! As a former Petty Officer I think a ceremonial blade for enlisted sailors would be a morale booster . Not a cutlass or sword , but maybe a sailor"s working knife . I'm thinking of an old school fixed blade knife , with a four inch sheep'sfoot point , in a leather sheath with a marlinspike . The knife amd spike would represent the traditional sailor skills and the day to day work they perform . Maybe for Petty Officers , and optional for strikers .
@@laughingsnake1989 I'm a US Navy vet , and a blade carrier . I carry a Knives of Alaska Bush Camp knife , a Russell Green River knife , and a Spyderco automatic folder every day . I'm scheduled to attend the Spartanburg County , South Carolina EMS Academy on January 2nd to be an EMT .
Thank you Master Chief. I’m currently active duty and when I have time I volunteer with the Minnesota Historical Society and the Fort Saint Anthony Field Music group. I’ve been trying to add Navy traditions to our repertoire. I’ve been in the Navy for a year now and I love it. Please keep up the good work! If I may would it be possible to ask you any questions in the future? AN Anderson USN
A wonderful telling of tradition on the Navy blade and its evolution. My respects to you on the passing of your father. I was entrusted as the fourth generation of my family to carry our families US Army NCO sword model of 1840 made at the Ames factory in 1861. I served 22-years active, 3-years ready reserves, and lucky for me the swords 31-inch-long blade fits me near perfect in the carry position. The model was adapted from The US Army Infantry officer's sword of the period, based on the Spadroon. And unlike most reproductions used today has a live (although dulled for use) edged weapon.
I own a Cold Steel 26 inch M1917 cutlass. I think Cold Steel made a mistake calling the one I own the M1917 but you corrected it as the Model 1941. I love this in my personal collection as a fighting blade.
I went through Boot Camp in 1964 at Great Lakes, our RPOC of course carried a cutlass. We found out that if the cutlass was returned to its scabbard to firmly that it became stuck in it and required the RPOC to get one of us to hold onto the scabbard while he used both hands to pull the cutlass. On at least one occasion he wound up doing some push ups because of this as anytime we felt that he was getting to big for his bell bottoms one of us would shove the cutlass firmly into the scabbard meaning he then had the humiliating experience of getting someone to help him pull it out. He had gotten the job of RPOC because he had gone to military school instead of a regular high school and had experience in using a sword.
I retired in 2011 and my biggest regret is not purchasing one for myself to reflect on the great history of the Navy that came before me and the great sailors that keep the traditions as part of life at sea.
Wonderful video, both entertaining and informative. The cutlass has a proud tradition and I'm glad it made a comeback in the Navy. Looking forward to a video on the officer's sword.
MasChief.. I was fortunate to weld the cutlass during my RTC time as RCPO (and was honor recruit.. boo on the drill/ceremony companies in my division) lol..... but had 2yrs prior experience( junior and senior yr) as a NJROTC Battalion Commander having weld the Navy Officers sword. I knew where the respect was earned and given by the Chiefs.. Ok ok.... I ended up going through BOOST as an (E-5), and then NROTC, graduated and got commissioned, earning my WINGS OF GOLD, eventually being blessed years later of promotions( not one pass over) lol.. made squadron XO(0-5) and retiring out!! It was a great 21-22 yrs serving and working with many LPO's & Chiefs (E-6's - E-9's) came through/saved my behind!!! lol.... MUCH LOVE to Chiefs!!!
Just purchased the Cold Steel 1917 "Hybrid" Cutlass. Which as I learned here is pretty much a copy of the 1917 cutlass, with two exceptions. One, the guard has little round perforations, supposedly to reduce the weight. 2. the Fuller is much smaller. Other then that, its a very nice reproduction. And I like it. I have recommended your video to others for the historical value. Well Done.
In Germany we call it the "Entermesser" which means Boarding Knife. I think the first time I saw a Cutlass on TV was when I watched "The Sand Pebles" with Steve McQueen, I saw all the Sailors, armed with BAR's, Springfield M1903's, M1911's, and Lewis Gun's wearing Brodie Helmets, and than the Chief had a Cutlass in his hands, IT was so strange to me!
Great video, and great to hear a piece of history from someone that was there. I never served in the Navy however I did serve in Marine Corps and have a lot of interest in cutlasses. Thank you for sharing
I thought it interesting that officers on the cusp of battle would go to the armory and have a cutlass issued to them for the coming fight. The officer swords were too light to use and would easily break. The cutlass was the enlisted man's weapon which was durable and heavy enough to decapitate the enemy with one stroke. During my time as a Chief I would have welcomed wearing a cutlass as part of my uniform.
The Cutlass is as iconic a Naval weapon as there ever was. You want something good in close quarters and able to take a beating. It also has to be simple enough and rugged enough that it can be issued out to anyone in the crew. Not custom tailored to the owner as infantry officer swords often were. Also, that big handguard very often served as brass knuckles vs using the blade due to the close quarters nature of Naval boarding actions. Same reason that armed Naval watchstanders are usually issued pistols rather than rifles.
I think the cutlass should be part of the dress uniforms of the Navy and Coast Guard, with sword for Army (except cavalry who should have sabers) and Marines. Air Force can have a pointer
@@mitchellsmith4690 Except it isn't in the nature of a naval crew to go about armed all day, as it is with other forces. As it was said, cutlasses were not personal weapons.
@@mitchellsmith4690 I think it would be a great morale booster for enlisted of all services to have a ceremonial blade . Maybe as an option for those who can afford one . I believe a ceremonial bayonette or sailors' knife for navy petty officers would be nifty . A sailors' knife with sheep'sfoot blade and a marlinespike , hung from a guardbelt would look cool with Dress Jumpers .
Very Interesting! Thanks for your research and service. I served between 1957 and 1989 and retired as a Master Chief Photographer's Mate (Naval Air Crewman)... All of your videos are interesting to me and bring back fond memories (and some memories not so fond)...
I remember my fist ship back in 1965 the USS AMPHION (AR-13) for they had the Model 41's in racks in their ship's armory along w/ the Gurand M-1's, BAR's and the Thompson's Sub-machineguns. Yep, I am an old salt.
Carried the Cutlass as and RCPO for Co 205, 1984. At my retirement in 2004, my last Division bought me a Cutlass as a retirement gift. I was left speechless. This is not an easy task.
So much history here that was never really covered either in basic, nor in my 20th Edition Bluejackets manual. Are you ever going to do one about the telescope and sea chest that share the honors with the cutlass in your into's?
I remember the one I had in Boot Camp as RCPO, San Diego, Company 927 21 June - -3 Sept .1976.. .wish I could have a copy of it and hang it on my wall....
Great stuff, Master Chief. I think we may have served together. I'm Patrick W. Lappert, CAPT, MC, USN (Ret). I was a General Surgeon, then a Plastic/ Reconstructive Surgeon. Oak Knoll, Bethesda, Portsmouth, and 3 years with the FMF as a Flight Surgeon at MCAS Beaufort. Ring any bells?
Thank you for sharing Master Chief, that's pretty awesome. I had the privilege and The misfortune one might say of leading my formation at Great Lakes on my first night of arrival and unfortunately I didn't quite get the count right in the general confusion and another rcpo was selected for that position, which in the end worked out as I was allowed to research further into my interest in the diver program which I inevitably decided against in favor of becoming a aviation structural mechanic as I initially had intended. I went on to become a composites specialist and then in non-destructive inspection technician out of Oceania and I eventually got out at the rank of petty officer second class after I completed the sunset tour of the f-14 tomcat. If I just stayed in I would probably be retiring next year but in my youth I didn't have the foresight and understanding and I was reticent to become a chief as I wanted to stay Hands-On and I figured that would be taken away as I had seen happen during the first class grooming process of Chief selection. In hindsight I didn't continue that work anyway so I probably should have considered that but to this day I still am pretty Hands-On as a truck driver and I'm glad I did everything the way that I did because now I have a wonderful family whom I love very much. Thank you for your sacrifice Master Chief, end of your father's as well. I grew up a military brat so, I can appreciate what you must have gone through as well. Fair winds and following seas, shipmate.
I always wanted a cutlass for my "I love me, wall" in my house. I retired as an E-6. Got any ideas, suggestions, headaches, heartaches, neuralgia on the subject Master Chief?
If you are looking for one without anchors on it in that style there is a few websites that offer them cheaper than the CPO version. Atlanta Cutlery Corp and Windlass come to mind and Marlow White has one but it has U.S.C.G. stamped on it.
I was in Great Lakes in 84.. I can still remember one of my drill Chiefs. It was Chief Lovelace. The other was a 1rst class pretty office that wore his Dixie cup cover at a really hard slant. Wow.. those were the days.
I have a Cold Steel cutlass (retirement gift) that I thought was a 1917 pattern. Turns out it's a 1941 pattern. Thanks for the info Brother. Dave FCC(SW) RET
Awesome bit of history about the original “sidearm” of fighting men’ born out necessity and then graduated to ceremonial’ it has seen it all from war to peace’ to land and back to sea’ an elegant weapon from a more elegant time’ always ready’ always willing’ what better way to honor men’ then with the naval cutlass.
Captain David Gallery gave the last order to board an enemy Navy vessel when his Battle Group with flagship baby flattop Guadalcanal captured the German submarine U-505 during WWII.
Marechaussee is not the name of the sword, but rather of a branch of the Dutch military police force in which the klewang was used (it was also used elsewhere, and there were many small variations in design throughout its lifetime). The word klewang / kelewang originates from Indonesia where it described a class of indigenous beefy short sabers (although the Dutch ones are actually rather light for a cutlass).
As a navy vet and knife junky , I would love to see your input on navy knives . Not just the officially issued models , but what types of knives sailors commonly use . I'm not sure how the navy feels about sailors carrying knives today , but in my time the ship's geedunk stores sold knives . The most common was the Buck 110. Thanks Master Chief !
What ship(s) is that, where most of the pics of sailors with cutlasses were taken. Especially the surprisingly sharp pic showing a rack of cutlasses on a ship armed with broadside cannon.
That was a great video thank you for your contribution. What is your opinion on Navy Petty officers having their own Cutlass just as ncos and other branches of the military have a sword all to their own?
With the exception of the Navy Ceremonial Guard and the Sailors assigned to the USS CONSTITUTION, no Petty Officers are authorized the wear of a cutlass. As the Command Master Chief of the USS CONSTITUTION from 2005-2008, I wore an 1861 pattern cutlass any time I was in my traditional '1813' uniform. When participating in any formal ceremonies, I wore a cutlass as did my color guard members who would normally be bearing rifles, regardless of if we were wearing 1813s or our dress uniforms.
a workmate of mine back in 60's Liverpool worked as a foreman painter (on ships)told me he'd used a cutlass in ww2, turned out he'd been one of the matelot's that had boarded tthe Kriegsmarine ship Altmark, webley in one hand cutlass in the other, he told me the German seamen weren't worried aboiut the pistol..but the cutlass gave them the shakes (His ship was a Tribal class destroyer H.M.S. Cossack) so I think he'd disagree violently with you about it NOT being a personal weapon! It was the last time the cutlass was used in anger by the RN, He told me that they regularly did cutlas drills.
The Master Chief was said "not a personal weapon" in the sense that they weren't an item issued individually to an enlisted man, or personally owned like an officer's sword. They were handed out only when an action was ordered or anticipated, and then handed back in. But your workmate would surely have considered it to be for his personal offense or defense when he boarded the Altmark.
I’d be interested to know What Recruit Company The Masterchief served in At Great Lakes. I myself served in Company 930 “The Triple Threat. Tenor in the Recrute Choir. Served 24 years retired Chief.
Sir, a question (trivia): I’ve been told twice by two different people that the last time the Navy used cutlasses on a boarding party was during Desert Storm in 1991 to board two Iraqi natural gas container ships anchored off Basra. Boarding party was armed with Beretta 9mm and cutlass so as not to ‘set off’ natural gas. Turns out both container ships were empty and abandoned. Do you know if this is true?
10:16 1938 mention of the use of the cutlass for a landing party was probably spot on as “Mad” Jack Churchill demonstrated… although he preferred his trademark Scottish claybeg sword… www.businessinsider.com/british-soldier-captures-42-nazis-with-a-sword-2019-2?r=AU&IR=T He is best known for saying that "any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed" and, in following with this, for carrying a sword into battle. In WWII. And not one of those sissy ceremonial things the Marines have. No, Jack carried a fucking claymore. And he used it, too. He is credited with capturing a total of 42 Germans and a mortar squad in the middle of the night, using only his sword…. www.cracked.com/article_17019_5-real-life-soldiers-who-make-rambo-look-like-pussy.html
