Authentic British Pattern Naval Cutlass 1871 Bayonet Sword 1859 Zulu TR1712 For Sale

Rare Authentic British Pattern 1871 Naval Cutlass Bayonet measuring 31.5" overall with a blade length of 25.5". Very good condition showing some age patina, handling marks/wear on grips. Tight handle, no looseness. See below for markings, etc.This is not a commercial model, nor a replica or a composite hack-job. This is a arsenal converted, authentic, battle tested British Royal Navy Naval Brigade Cutlass Bayonet that was carried into the Anglo-Zulu War.This was originally made as a 1859 pattern Naval Cutlass, then as the Navy switched to the the Martini Rifle, these bayonets were sent to the Enfield Arsenal, they ground down all of the markings on the blade ricasso and the top of the blade shaved down the blade showing a slope, starting at 1.5" at the guard and dropping to 1.25 for the main run of the blade. This is textbook for a altered 1859 blade.On the ricasso area of the blade, there appears to still have a partial, "33" or "35". One can still see the grinding marks on the blade and also on the bowl on the top area, one can still see grind marks with a partial, "D" (Which is British "WD" proof-marks), The Guard piece that looks shaped like a surfboard is held by 5 rivets which was part of the conversion.The Naval Upgrade was a electroplated bowl guard and pommel with a protective layer of bright nickel to insulate the iron from conversion. This was assigned to a specific ships armory or unit and stamped on the pommel as weapon #1078. (Some have said this would place this on the HMS Shah). They stamped them numerically to keep inventory of which sailor carried which rifle and bayonet. Previous owner stated this was looted from a deceased British soldier in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.In front of the armory numbers are also 2 British stamps/cartouches. One is the "four diamonds" cartouche. This is a crucial link, in British Ordnance stamping, a cluster of diamonds made of diamond punches is an Enfield Inspection Mark. Before the factory struck a final piece, inspectors used distinct geometric punch shapes to signify that the metal and hilt alignment, and locking mechanism passed individual testing.The second cartouche, I cannot fully make out, but having two stamps, side by side means the weapon was inspected twice. Once when it was a Pattern 1859, and a second time when it was converted to the Pattern 1871 bayonet at Enfield.A beautiful piece of British Naval History that likely saw service during the late Victorian colonial era during the Madist War or the Zulu War Era.Because it still retains its full 25.5" length it was never shortened to a civilian knife or trench tool. See photos.