Original Victorian British Prison Service Naval Cutlass marked to Casemates Barracks Bermuda - c.1840

Original Item: Only One Available. We obtained this in a large edged weapon Collection purchase in 2014. It was covered in black paint at the time, though we have removed a good deal of it from this 34 inch long cutlass. It is well used and not exactly well cared for: the 29" blade and sheet iron hand guardare covered in old pitting scars. This cutlass definitely saw long service! After a cursory cleaning it was found that there was some stamped printing on the top side of the brass grip which we read as:- CASEMATES BARRACKS, BER'A. Internet research tells us that in 1837 great Britain towed several "Prison Hulks" from England to Bermuda that were anchored off the coast. These were each full of convicted criminals. Between 1837 and 1843 a large Prison/Fortress was constructed on the Island that in fact is still the Main Bermuda Prison to this day. The Naval Crews that manned the Prison Hulks were shore based at CASEMATES BARRACKS and the building was the first building of the new For