Wanted: "Navel" Cutlasses

[The Bread Guy]

So, is this for cutting oranges, or belly buttons stabs?  ;D

.... To supply Navel Cutlass, Leather Frog for Naval Cutlass and Navel Sword and Scabbard Set to the Department of National Defence, CFB Esquimalt, PO Box 17000, Bldg. 66 Colwood, Victoria, BC, V9A 7N2. Complete specification provided in the Request for Proposal document. Delivery on or before March 31, 2011 is mandatory ....

 

[Neill McKay]

So, is this for cutting oranges, or belly buttons stabs?  ;D

Apart from the spelling mistake, it looks as if an RFP has been written for one of each item (sword and cutlass, each with accessories).  Since these can be bought off the shelf from a very limited number of suppliers I have to wonder if this is a sensible procurement strategy...

 

[The Bread Guy]

.... it looks as if an RFP has been written for one of each item (sword and cutlass, each with accessories).  Since these can be bought off the shelf from a very limited number of suppliers I have to wonder if this is a sensible procurement strategy...

According to the bid document (excerpt attached), they're ordering 182 swords/cutlasses, so would that be more worthwhile seeking gang bids?

 

[Harris]

Looks like at least 91 of them are for the Sea cadets.  I wonder where the other 91 are going?  In my ARMY unit we have to either buy them ourselves, or the Unit has to pay for swords.

 

[NavyShooter]

I am of the understanding that many NavAl officers purchase their own.

I'm also aware that they have a number of them onhand at the drill-shed in Hfx for drill and training purposes.

I don't know if that's what these would be for, but it could be that they're issuing some to each ship for ceremonial purposes???

NS

 

[Danjanou]

I wonder where the other 91 are going? 

Anyone miss an NDHQ memo that our anti piracy ship off Somalia was being ordered to repel borders?  8)

 

[Harris]

Agreed, but my point was that each Unit has to purchase their own if they choose from Unit funds.  We're not given swords (although the ones we do have must have come from somewhere I guess).

I guess my concern is that in this day of cutbacks, we're spending money on ceremonial swords and not ammo.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Anyone miss an NDHQ memo that our anti piracy ship off Somalia was being ordered to repel borders?  8)

A boarding axe might be more useful.  8)

 

[Edward Campbell]

A boarding axe might be more useful.  8)

Brilliant! The Navy could have its own version of pioneers - big, bearded fellows carrying axes.

19th century French Army pioneers

20th century Canadian pioneers - on active service in the Balkans

Beats talking about renaming the Navy!  :



Edit: spelling   :-[

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Brilliant! The Navy could have its own version of pioneers - big, bearded fellows carrying axes.

19th century French Army peioneers

20th century Canadian pioneers - on active service in the Balkans

Beats talking about renaming the Navy!  :

We could name them Maritime Command Assault Pioneers

 

[Edward Campbell]

We could name them Maritime Command Assault Pioneers

RRRRRRight! And they could have their own, integral, air arm, too!  >

 

[aesop081]

RRRRRRight! And they could have their own, integral, air arm, too!  >

Mortars....dont forget mortars.......

 

[cavalryman]

Mortars....dont forget mortars.......

And the anti-tank platoon.... er.. anti-dreadnought that is, matey  ;D

 

[NavyShooter]

We are overborne in Hull-techs....and their trade badge already has an axe in it...

PERFECT fit!

NS

 

[Kirkhill]

Great Stuff!!!  Tomahawk vs Bayonet - The Maritime Command (RCN) version.  >  Point beats blade everytime. ;D

Avast there and hand me me cutlass and belaying pin.

 

[jollyjacktar]

Brilliant! The Navy could have its own version of pioneers - big, bearded fellows carrying axes.

Sound of needle scratching across the record........

Can't have beards.  That tradition has gone down with the ship, won't give a good seal with Chemox/BA.  But I do like the idea of taking axes or swords on boarding parties to show the pirates, close and personal like....

 

[Danjanou]

  But I do like the idea of taking axes or swords on boarding parties to show the pirates, close and personal like....

Next you guys will be submitting RFPs for eye patches, parrots and peg legs aaarh  8)

 

[medicineman]

Are these to cut out belly button lint?

MM

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Might explain why tanks were origanally on the Navy orbat 

 

[Pusser]

I am of the understanding that many NavAl officers purchase their own.

I'm also aware that they have a number of them onhand at the drill-shed in Hfx for drill and training purposes.

I don't know if that's what these would be for, but it could be that they're issuing some to each ship for ceremonial purposes???

NS

Cutlasses and swords are different.  Traditionally naval officers carry swords, while chiefs and petty officers carry cutlasses.  The cutlass seems to have disappeared in the last twenty years.  I wonder if the Navy is re-introducing it?  As for purchasing it using public funds, I don't see why not.  We have many ceremonial accoutrements in stores (flag poles, white slings and belts, etc.), so why not these?