The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word CUTLASS
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
C
U
T
L
A
S
S
More clues leading to the result CUTLASS
- Stay away from hen with this?
- Weapon’s quality, but missing top inside
- Curved sword usually triangular originally in form?
- Weapon in range, however, not the first
- Wench first to spurn sailor’s arm
- Copper’s tackling sailor about naval weapon
- Lacking energy, attractive girl produces weapon
- Girl going below hurt old sailor’s arm
- Ignore girl with sword
- Pirate’s weapon sliced young woman
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "naval weapon" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case naval weapon = cutlass.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CUTLASS mean?
CUTLASS noun- A short sword with a curved blade, and a convex edge; once used by sailors when boarding an enemy ship.
- A similarly shaped tool; a machete.
- To cut back (vegetation) with a cutlass.