Elegantly tough Excellent little sabre, very close copy, based on my research, to the originals. In fact, take it back to the 19th Century and it would probably pass for one-except for the Windlass maker’s mark. Handles very well, very fast and maneuverable, one can feel the sword pivoting around its point of balance, which at 4 1/4 inches is gives the sword strong blade presence without feeling blade heavy. And the construction, well, it’s very solid, will certainly stand up to a smash up melee’. The only downside are a few finishing issues. There are small pits in the brass in a couple spots and the where the knuckle-bow and the pommel cap meet is very slightly misaligned. This doesn’t effect the strength of the construction in anyway and it’s only noticeable if you know to look for it and even then from certain angles you’d have to look twice (and the cutlass is still a handsome piece). In all, a great sword, elegant and brutal all at once. By the way, in addition to being historically on the mark it also makes a great Steampunk looking sword for those Air Privateers out there in your zeppelins and Sopwith Camels.