M1917 Navy Cutlass

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	Weapon: M1917 Navy Cutlass Type: Cutlass Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1917 Overall Length (mm): 711.0 Overall Length (in): 27.99 Weight (kg): 0.00 Weight (pounds): 0

The M1917 Navy Cutlass was the last cutlass officially adopted by the U.S. Navy, designed for close-quarters combat aboard ships. With a straight, single-edged blade, the M1917 was based on earlier 19th-century designs but was simplified for mass production during World War I. Its sturdy construction made it ideal for boarding actions and shipboard defense.

Adopted during a time when close combat on ships was becoming less common, the M1917 was primarily issued as a ceremonial or secondary weapon. However, it was still seen as a useful tool for shipboard defense, particularly in naval engagements where hand-to-hand combat might occur. The weapon was issued to U.S. Navy personnel through both World War I and World War II.

The M1917 Navy Cutlass remains a notable piece of naval history, representing the end of an era where bladed weapons were commonly used in naval warfare. Today, it is mostly used in ceremonial roles, but its historical legacy as a naval boarding weapon is well remembered.