James Caan takes a break during filming the tollbooth assassination scene in “The Godfather.” (1972). Dir. Francis Ford Coppola, Photo: Jack Stager. Source
British Police Cutlass, c.1870-90
Made by Robert Mole of Birmingham. The blade of this police cutlass (hanger) is incredibly robust, with a spine that is 3/8″ thick until it transitions to a diamond cross-section for the last ¼ of the blade. The blade design is similar to those found on cavalry troopers’ swords after 1853, but shorter and more curved. The hilt has a small spring mechanism that locks the sword into its scabbard to prevent the wearer from being easily disarmed by an adversary.
Police were issued cutlasses when so authorized by superior officers (e.g., for riots, special assignments, etc.) or when on night duty. Some examples are marked to prisons, so guards likely wore them when so authorized. The police cutlass was also used by private citizens and companies (factory guards, railway guards) to protect their property.
Similar cutlasses had been in use since the Georgian period, mostly by the constabulary and night watchmen. The design changed little save for the shape of the knucklebow, which was originally more of a stirrup shape, which later (early Victorian period?) changed to the D-shape guard seen on the example above.
Matt Easton recently posted an excellent two part series on Victorian police weapons. Part two covers police cutlasses.
Reindeer (Finland)
Tomi Muukkonen photographer
A stream of Good Photos of Deer.