For a thousand years the use of the cutlass has been associated with the Imperial Marines. The cutlass is primarily a ceremonial weapon. The sight of Imperial Marines in their Maroons, armed with fusion guns and cutlasses, is a familiar sight to anyone who has seen the vid. Since the development of hyperdense metal the marines have carried this weapon into combat as an auxiliary weapon. Nothing is so terrifying during a ship boarding as the sight of a squad of Imperial Marines hacking the defenders to pieces with this deadly short range weapon.
The Imperial Marines are not the only organization to use the cutlass. The sword and pistol are the traditional weapons of humaniti. In the hazardous, close environment aboard ship, the cutlass is a close-in weapon with more reach than a knife or Ayloi, but does not have the potential to cause the collateral damage possible with a gauss or energy weapon. Most ships in Imperial space will have a cutlass or two in their ship's locker.
Fencing is a skill many soldiers master while in training. It is good for developing balance, hand-eye coordination, a cool head and sharp nerves. Most military officers are taught at least a rudimentary course as part of their general physical training. The use of the combat cutlass is more or less religated to the Marines, Deep Space Profor Units and ratings of the Navy. Many spacers with a relasonship with one of those organizations have passing familiarity with the cutlass.
Mid-Level Marine NCO schools also add to the basic cutlass training received by all in Basic Training. Many Senior Marine NCO's go on to become quite competent in the sport. There are several facilities that one can be sure will be at every place Marines are stationed. The target range. The Cup & Sword NCO Club. And at least one piste, wired for electronic scoring.
Most senior Marines and Marine Officers have more than one blade. An issue fighting cutlass for use with their Standard and Maroon Battle Dress and a more ornate blade for use with their Full Dress Uniforms. The fighting cutlass is a deadly modern weapon with a hyperdense blade. The blade is not solid hyperdense material, but only at the edge and core, with a conventional metal jacket around it. The hyperdense blade is quite capable of cutting through most space armor. There is an Imperial Sunburst on the bell guard, along with the Unit insignia and a serial number, so that the weapon can be accounted for. The other blade is usually of stainless, or some other high grade steel. This blade is often received by young officers or grizzled NCO's as a gift from family, patron or a grateful Imperium. These cutlasses are engraved with a suitable sentiment, the marine's name and unit of the owner. The information is typically engraved on the blade or inside the bell guard.
Of all the units of Magash's many caverns only the the 5233rd Profor Infantry Regiment train and use the cutlass as a matter of policy. This is a reflection of their training under Imperial Marine instructors during the Fifth Frontier War. Though recent adherants to the blade, the Troopers were quick to grasp the utility of the weapon in boarding actions. The value of sword drill to soldiers who operate battledress is well known, and many of the mercenaries were practitioners of the art of fencing prior to their introduction to the cutlass.
Unlike Marine Officers most Trooper Officers possess a single combat cutlass, lighter than the Marine fighting cutlass and patterned on the sabre. The core of the weapon is of fine imported steel with only the edge of hyperdense. This makes the blade lighter than the Marine Cutlass. The bell guard bears the unit insignia of the Duchess's Own as well as their motto, and was presented to each officer by the Duchess herself. Each is engraved with a maker's mark and the name of the officer.
The duty cutlasses stored in each ship's armory are similiar to the officers cutlass, except that they bear only the maker's mark, a unit designation and serial number.
cut sw+2d thrust imp+2d+1 (10) min ST 11 Weight 3 lbs. reach 1 Cr 1000.