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Hours M-F 8AM-8PM ET

THE SHIP IN A BOTTLE 

731 Mixon Creek Drive - Bath, NC 27808

Watch our You Tube video for comparisons between the Vanguard and Marlow White CPO Cutlasses

NEW AND AUTHENTIC VANGUARD CPO CUTLASS $425

-OR-

Buy the CPO Cutlass, Belt, Buckle, Frog as a package for $580 and save $40 over Navy Exchange Uniform Shop Pricing!!

VANGUARD CUTLASS w/SCABBARD

Vanguard CPO Cutlass

Vanguard CPO Cutlass

 
Personal Engraving
Enter Line1 Text for Engraving
Enter Line2 Text for Engraving
Enter Line3 Text for Engraving
$425.00  

VANGUARD CUTLASS PACKAGE

Includes everything needed to wear the cutlass with the uniform: Cutlass, Scabbard, Belt, Buckle, and Frog.

Vanguard's Authentic US Navy CPO Cutlass

Vanguard CPO Cutlass Package

Personal Engraving
Belt Size
Buckle Selection
Line 1 Text for Engraving
Line 2 Text for Engraving
Line 3 Text for Engraving
$580.00

MARLOW WHITE WKC CUTLASS

WKC Cutlass

WKC Cutlass - Marlow White


Personal Engraving
Engraving Style
Enter Text for Engraving
$360.00 

Vanguard Cutlass Accessories


CPO Cutlass and Scabbard
AUTHENTIC US NAVY CPO CUTLASS (Vanguard) with LEATHER SCABBARD.

Certified for wear with the US Navy CPO Uniform (as prescribed).


Price: $425.00

Item Number: CTLS-0001
Personal Engraving
Enter Line1 Text for Engraving
Enter Line2 Text for Engraving
Enter Line3 Text for Engraving


New and authentic belt for recently authorized CPO Cutlass
CPO CUTLASS BELT - Leather - Used with Belt Buckles and Frog sold this page.

PLEASE BE SURE TO SPECIFY SIZE WHEN ORDERING (For use with Vanguard Cutlass and Throg only). It is Highly Recommended you add 2" to actual waist size.


Price: $68.00

Item Number: BELT-0001
SIZE


Frog for CPO Cutlass Scabbard
THROG (FROG) - New Design - For Attaching CPO Cutlass and Scabbard to Belt (For use with Vanguard Cutlass and Belt only)

Price: $42.00


Item Number: FROG-0001



Newly Authorized CPO Buckle for Belt worn with CPO Cutlass
Chief Petty Officer Belt Buckle for Vanguard Cutlass Belt.

Price: $45.00

Item Number: BUCK-0007



Newly Authorized SCPO Buckle for Belt worn with CPO Cutlass Senior Chief Petty Officer Belt Buckle for Vanguard Cutlass Belt.

Price: $45.00


Item Number: BUCK-0008



Newly Authorized MCPO Buckle for Belt worn with CPO Cutlass Master Chief Petty Officer Belt Buckle for Vanguard Cutlass Belt.


Price: $45.00

Item Number: BUCK-0009



Vanguard CPO Cutlass CaseDetailed View of Vanguard CPO Cutlass Case
Vanguard Carrying Case For CPO Cutlass and Accessories. 

Item Number: CASE-0010

Price: $45.00


Sword/Cutlass FAQs

How do our prices compare with Navy Exchange Prices?

Only the Vanguard Cutlasses are sold in the Navy Exchange Uniform Shops

The prices shown in the table below are being adjusted due to recent price increases by Vanguard, the manufacturer. Pricing will be checked periodically for accuracy. Please bring any discrepancies to our attention.

Navy CPO Cutlass:

ITEM NAVY EXCHANGE PRICE THE SHIP IN A BOTTLE PRICE SAVINGS
Cutlass and Scabbard $450.00 $425.00 $25.00
Leather Belt $78.75 $68.00 $10.75
Belt Buckle $46.25 $45.00 $1.25
Leather Frog $45.00 $42.00 $3.00
Total: $620.00 $580.00 $40.00

What is the difference between a Sword and a Cutlass?

The sword is worn by US Navy Officers and the Cutlass is worn by US Navy Chief Petty Officers (CPO).  In physical appearance, the sword is a straight blade with ornate etching and the cutlass is a curved blade with a rounded hand guard.  Think of the cutlass as something similar to a pirate sword.

Should I get the blade engraved?

Engraving is very personal. Please refer to the table below for possible suggestions. If you are purchasing the cutlass as a gift, you may want to consider ordering without engraving or contact the recipient for preferences.

OCCASION FOR PURCHASE RECOMMENDATIONS
Personal Use First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name
As a gift for wear with uniform -First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name
-Do Not Engrave
As a gift for retirement Examples:

RMCS(SW) James R McCurdy
OCT 1970 - APR 1992

RMCS(SW) James R. McCurdy
OCT 1970 - APR 1992
Presented by ....
   
  There are many options available for engraving
- Quotations are often used
- Nicknames are occasionally used on retirement blades.
- We have on occasion used two to three text blocks of three lines to indicate names of all personnel within a division who presented the blade as a gift to a retiring or transferring CPO.

Are accessories interchangeable between Vanguard and Marlowe White Cutlasses?

No they are not. Please use only accessories provided by the manufacturer for their blades.

How do I know which length to buy?

The Navy Officer Sword is available in various lengths to best suit the height of the person wearing the blade. It may be best for you to contact us to assist in selecting the proper size.  The CPO Cutlass is a fixed length blade (26" Blade) - one size fits all.

What accessories are required to wear the cutlass with the uniform?

For the Navy CPO Cutlass - Cutlass and Scabbard, Leather Belt, Belt Buckle, Leather Frog (or Throg) for attaching the cutlass to the belt. We include a pair of white gloves and a very nice zippered case with all Navy CPO Cutlass package purchases.

Do you offer financing?

We offer "Bill Me Later" through our PayPal shopping option.  We may also be able to offer a payment option. 
Call our toll free number (404) 964-8355 for details.

Can the Cutlass or Sword and Accessories be purchased as a package?

The Sword or Cutlass can be purchased as a package from THE Ship in a Bottle but are not available as a package through the Navy Exchange Uniform Shop.

Is the Marlowe White Cutlass Certified for wear with the Navy Uniform?

For questions regarding the certification of navy uniform items, please refer to the navy uniform board.

Can I have my purchase shipped to an APO or FPO address?

In all likelihood, yes. Please check with your local post office for restrictions/regulations.

Have a question you don't see an answer to here?

Please call (404) 964-8355 or email us at jmccurdy@theshipinabottle.com



Command Master Chiefs - CPO Mess Leadership - Contact me for SUBSTANTIAL Savings on Multiple Cutlass/Accessory Orders

Please give me the opportunity to pass along a significant saving on bulk orders for your CPO mess.  I will always take care of my fellow Chiefs...!!  I can apply savings on orders of 5 or more cutlasses if you choose to combine your orders.  Call Jim at (404) 964.8355 for inquiries.  10% Discount on 5 Vanguard Cutlasses.  10% discount on Vanguard accessories when ordering 5 or more blades.  Discounts on Marlow White Cutlasses and their accessories cannot be given due to pricing arrangements.




Certified CPO Cutlass Details and Additional Information



Comparison Photos - Vanguard and Marlow White WKC Cutlasses Side by Side

Click on the photos for a larger image.
Authentic US Navy CPO Cutlass and Leather Sheath
In this photo you can see that
the hand guard is larger in the
Vanguard cutlass (bottom cutlass).
You may also note that the groove
in the Vanguard blade begins
nearer the hand guard.  Other noteworthy
differences are the gold windings
on the handle and the scabbard
button that attaches to the frog.


USN Anchor Emblem on butt of cutlass hilt

We didn't notice a difference
in the USN/Anchor design on
the butt of the handle.  It should
be easy to see the difference in
style of the hand guards however. 

Authentic US Navy CPO Cutlass and Scabbard
Again, note the difference in
the hand guards and handle
windings.  Also note the white
felt washer at the end of the
WKC blade as opposed to the
black leather washer on the
Vanguard blade.
Authentic CPO Cutlass Guard and Hilt Detail
The Vanguard blade (bottom)
is thicker throughout the length
of the blade whereas the
WKC Blade narrows toward
the tip.
Authentic US Navy CPO Cutlass in Leather Sheath
Blade lengths are identical (26").
The Vanguard scabbard is a bit
longer and the leather has more of
a sheen than the leather of the WKC
cutlass.
Authentic US Navy CPO Cutlass
The groove in the Vanguard blade
starts nearer the handle.  The 
button on the WKC scabbard is
slightly smaller which prohibits
the WKC scabbard from fitting other vendor frogs.
USN Engraving on base of CPO Cutlass Blade
The groove in the Vanguard blade
extends closer to the cutlass tip. 
The shape of the two blade
tips is also slightly different.


Rear side of CPO Cutlass Frog
Another view of the guard and winding
differences.  The WKC blade is on the
right.

Detailed Photos - Vanguard Cutlass

Authentic US Navy CPO Cutlass and Leather Sheath
Vanguard CPO Cutlass and High Quality Leather Scabbard
USN AnchorEemblem on butt of cutlass hilt
USN Anchor Emblem on Cutlass Hilt - Vanguard cutlass
Authentic US Navy CPO Cutlass and Scabbard
USN Emblem on Vanguard Cutlass Blade
Authentic CPO Cutlass Guard and Hilt Detail
Details of Vanguard CPO Cutlass Hand Guard
Authentic US Navy CPO Cutlass in Leather Sheath
Vanguard CPO Cutlass Sheathed in Leather Scabbard
Authentic US Navy CPO Cutlass
Additional Detail of Vanguard Cutlass Handle Guard and Scabbard
USN Engraving on base of CPO Cutlass Blade
USN Laser Etching on Vanguard Cutlass Blade

Rear side of CPO Cutlass Frog
Reverse side of Vanguard Leather Frog


Detailed Photos - Marlow White WKC Cutlass

US Navy CPO Cutlass in Leather Sheath
WKC CPO Cutlass Sheathed in Leather Scabbard
USN Anchor Emblem on butt of cutlass hilt
USN Anchor Emblem on Cutlass Hilt - WKC Cutlass
WKC US Navy CPO Cutlass and Scabbard
USN Emblem on WKC Cutlass Blade
WKC CPO Cutlass Guard and Hilt Detail
Details of WKC CPO Cutlass Hand Guard
WKC US Navy CPO Cutlass in Leather Sheath
WKC CPO Cutlass Sheathed in Leather Scabbard
US Navy CPO Cutlass
Additional Detail of WKC Cutlass Handle Guard and Scabbard
Anchor Engraving on base of WKC CPO Cutlass Blade
USN Laser Etching on WKC Cutlass Blade


Excerpt from CNO's NAVADMIN 070/11 regarding the introduction of the CPO cutlass to the CPO uniform:

FM CNO WASHINGTON DC
TO AL NAVADMIN
NAVADMIN 070/11
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/JAN//
SUBJ/UNIFORM BOARD UPDATE//
REF/A/MSG/NAVADMIN 025/11/252348ZJAN2011//
REF/B/DOC/NAVPERS 15665I/01JAN03//
NARR/REF A IS NAVADMIN 025/11 ANNOUNCING UNIFORM POLICY CHANGES.  REF B IS U.S. NAVY UNIFORM REGULATIONS//
RMKS/1. THIS NAVADMIN ANNOUNCES THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS APPROVED UNIFORM POLICY CHANGES AS PROPOSED BY THE 16 DECEMBER 2010 NAVY UNIFORM BOARD (NUB). THE NUB IS LED BY THE CHIEF OF NAVAL PERSONNEL (PRESIDENT). THE FUNCTIONS OF THE NUB ARE OUTLINED IN REF A. APPROVED UNIFORM CHANGES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
A. CHIEF PETTY OFFICER (CPO) CUTLASS DESIGN. THE APPROVED CPO CUTLASS DESIGN DESCRIPTION IS AS FOLLOWS:
(1) THE CPO CUTLASS BLADE IS MADE FROM STAINLESS STEEL, IS NICKEL IN COLOR, AND IS 26 INCHES IN LENGTH.
(2) AT THE BASE OF ONE SIDE OF THE BLADE ARE FOUR LASER ENGRAVED CPO ANCHORS (CPO, SCPO, MCPO AND MCPON).
(3) ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE BASE OF THE BLADE ARE LASER ENGRAVED INITIALS “USN.”
(4) THE POMMEL IS BRASS IN COLOR AND CONTAINS THE DESIGN OF THE 1897 CPO CAP INSIGNIA.
(5) THE HANDLE OF THE CUTLASS INCLUDES A BRASS COLORED HAND GUARD WITH BLACK LEATHER HANDLE WRAPPED IN GOLD WIRE.
(6) THE CUTLASS IS ACCOMPANIED BY A MATCHING LEATHERSCABBARD WITH BRASS TOP MOUNT AND TOE PLATE.
(7) THE BUCKLE IS GOLD PLATED IN COLOR WITH TWO INTERLOCKING FASTENERS.
(8) MOUNTED ON THE CENTER OF THE BUCKLE WILL BE THE APPLICABLE CPO RANK INSIGNIA (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, OR MCPON).
(9) THE ADJUSTABLE BELT IS MADE FROM BLACK LEATHER WITH AN ADJUSTABLE SHOULDER STRAP.
(10) THE FROG IS MADE FROM BLACK LEATHER AND CUSTOM MADE TO FIT THE CPO CUTLASS SCABBARD. UPON AVAILABILITY, THE CUTLASS IS AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR BY CPOS DESIGNATED AS MEMBERS OF THE OFFICIAL PARTY DURING CEREMONIES THAT REQUIRE OFFICERS TO WEAR SWORDS. TO FACILITATE UNIFORMITY IN APPEARANCE, THE CPO CUTLASS MAY ONLY BE WORN IF ALL CPO MEMBERS OF THE OFFICIAL PARTY ARE WEARING THE CUTLASS. THE CUTLASS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON 1 AUGUST 2011. 

CPO Mess Presidents - Call us to open your command account. Mess Discount Available.

By Opening an account you will be entitled to cutlass discounts. To find out more about this program please call (404) 964-8355 for details.


Are you buying a sword or cutlass as a gift?

We recognize the fact that this can be very confusing with so many options available.

Please call (404) 964-8355 and let us help you. You may be eligible for a discount on top of our already low prices!

THE Ship in a Bottle is an authorized reseller of Vanguard and Marlow White Swords, Sabers, and Cutlasses.

Call us directly at (404) 964-8355 and place your order today. Sufficient quantities are in stock.

The Ship in a Bottle is an Authorized Dealer for Vanguard Military Products and Marlow White Swords and Accessories.

PER NAVADMIN 070/11 The Cutlass must display the 4 anchors as pictured here or it is not authorized for wear with the CPO Uniform!

Shop with the confidence you are buying certified swords and cutlasses, certified for wear with US Navy uniforms, from an authorized dealer.

Key differences between the Vanguard and WKC CPO Cutlasses

  • Weight - The Vanguard Cutlass weighs 2 lbs 1.8 ounces and the WKC Cutlass weighs 1 lb 12.7 ounces.
  • The Vanguard scabbard weighs approximately 1 lb 2 ounces and the WKC scabbard weighs approximately 1 lb 6 ounces.
  • Both blades are 26 inches in length.  The Vanguard scabbard is slightly longer than the WKC scabbard.  The WKC scabbard is thicker than the Vanguard scabbard.
  • 24k Gold windings on the handles are a bit fancier on the WKC blade.
  • The blade of the Vanguard cutlass is thicker  throughout the overall length than the WKC cutlass.  The groove of the Vanguard blade is also longer.
  • The blade tips differ slightly.
  • The hand guards are moderately different between the two cutlasses.
  • The leather of the Vanguard cutlass handle and scabbard have a brighter sheen than the WKC grip and scabbard.

Features of Vanguard and WKC CPO Cutlasses - Both Feature:

  • 24K Gold Plate over brass on grip, guard.
  • Solid leather grips with gold windings.
  • Stainless steel high quality blades
  • Premium leather scabbards.
  • Etched with USN on one side of the blade with etched anchors on the other side.
  • Each comes with a cloth cover bag.

Personal Engraving (Marlow White/WKC Blades)

We highly recommend you contact us to discuss engraving on your blade prior to ordering the engraving as there are many considerations.  Please call Jim at (404) 964-8355 to discuss your engraving questions.  Marlow White uses only the Old English font for lettering.  If you prefer other fonts, our recommendation is that you choose a reputable jeweler who can show you personal examples of styles and final appearance.  Refunds for Swords and Cutlasses that have been engraved will not be given.

  • A maximum of 20 Characters.  Spaces count as characters
  • Laser Etching - approximate size 1/4" high
  • Old English Font is the only font available for lettering
  • James R. McCurdy IV
  • We recommend you DO NOT USE ALL CAPS for lettering.  It is difficult to read and unattractive in our opinion.
  • JAMES R. MCCURDY IV
  • Times New Roman Font for Numerals (ex: IV)
  • James R. McCurdy IV
  • Historic placement of engraving - Top of Text faces sharp edge of blade
  • 180 degree rotation of engraving - Top of Text faces broad edge of blade.
  • Please allow an extra 3-5 business days on engraving

Vanguard Engraving

Vanguard also offers custom engraving for their blades. Vanguard places their text in the 180° rotation with text top along dull edge of blade and handle to left.  Photos will be posted on this site when received. We highly recommend you contact us to discuss engraving on your blade prior to ordering the engraving as there are many considerations. Refunds for Swords and Cutlasses that have been engraved will not be given.  Please call Jim at (404) 964-8355 to address your engraving questions.

  • Letters approximately 1/4" High
  • Times Roman All Caps
  • 20 Characters per line  Spaces count
  • Offer 2 and even 3 lines of text however font size decreases (extra fee $25 per addional line applies)