[infowarrior]

Also, just noticing, that cutlass (for lack of a better word) -- is it true to period?

The blade you're referencing in the picture is a more properly a falchion rather than a cutlass, which was more of a 17th Century to 19th Century weapon. As to the "basket hilt" protecting the hand, it would be historically possible from the late 1400's to the 1500's (in short, the end of period)...

the infowarrior

[annalex]

I don’t see a basket hilt. I think, the solid metal piece around his hand is the glove, and the hilt is two tiny cross guards above that.

Thank you about “falchion”, the word didn’t exactly spring to mind.

[Ramius]

Ahh... Good call on the falchion. Agreed. That ‘splains it better.