hello,
this is an unusual sword - it is not the 1885 Pattern which saw service through the 1890's since it does not have the hilt pierced with a Maltese cross; it is not the 1899 Pattern Cavalry troopers sword since that did not have the bowl guard turned over at the edges; at 27 inches the blade is too short (specified length was 34.5 inches) for a cavalry sword; it is not the standard naval cutlass in having leather scale grips, not iron and it has a fullered blade which did not genrally appear on naval cutlasses. The scabbard looks like the 1858/9 pattern cutlass scabbard. I am pretty certain it is the Pattern 1900 Naval sword/cutlass which conforms in all respects as far as I can see to what you actually have, plus of course it is dated 1900, and has the N stamp which indicates naval service.
