US M 1917 Navy cutlass. (Klewang) made by MILSCO for the Dutch KNIL. (Ref. Book 'Klewang" by J.P.Puipe)
US M 1917 Navy Cutlass /"Nederlands O.I. klewang M 1941"/ Dutch N.E.I klewang /cutlass M1941. Excellent blued fullered coarse made klewang blade with clip point. The ricasso is US maker marked: MILSCO (= Milwaukee Saddlery Company. Milwaukee Wisconsin. USA) Hilt with a wide open blued/ blackened steel hand guard. Excellent two piece wooden grip secured to the blade tang by three brass rivets.
Excellent tooled light brown leather scabbard with a brass cuff and a brass chape. Chape is fixed by 4 staples. ( This scabbard model was special made for the Dutch infantry "Van Heutsz" Regiment where the klewang still has a ceremonial function. Scabbard is stitched on the reverse side.). All stitches intact, and there is an internal retaining spring. Brown leather frog strap.
Length 75 cm, Width 3,5 cm.
Approx. 40.000 US M1917 Navy Cutlasses /Dutch M 1941 Netherlands East Indies klewangs, were made for the Nederlands East Indies (KNIL) between 1947 and 1949 by MILSCO. They stayed in service till 1960. They saw service in Indonesia and New Guinea. Many were used by American soldiers in Australia.
(Ref: Book "Klewang by J.P. Puipe. Page 185 and further on)
