European Stag gripped hanger

[kronckew]

Acquired this recently, appears to be an late 18c-early 19c shell guard hanger/hunting sword, with a double edged 53cm. blade, complete with scabbard. should be with me tomorrow. is it possible it's a naval officers fighting hanger? vendor did not note any markings. it looks remarkably similar to capt. cook's sword listed HERE (http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/collection-items/dress-sword-belonging-captain-cook)

[fernando]

Good catch, Wayne. Don't feel jealous of Cook's piece; his is more the swagger type, while yours looks like the real thing ;).
Just a pity if the scabbard is from a different sword; it looks like having a different curvature, or is it my short sight :o. You will check if it fits correctly :cool:.

[kronckew]

hopefully it's just the bendy leather. does appear to be a bit longer than the sword blade tho ;). i too hope it fits :) if not, i have a couple of swords that need scabbards it may fit. might be the sword used to be a bit longer...we all get shorter as we age.

anyhow, capt. cook's sword (if he carried one like this) didn't do him much good against a hawaiian. size did matter there.

[fernando]

...we all get shorter as we age...
And bend, besides scabbards. :shrug: .

[kronckew]

always use a scabbard, for safety. ;)

[kronckew]

well, it fits :)

blade is a couple inches into the chape & tight at the top, still a couple inches short if i lay the blade on top. blade is single edged, flat spine,except the last 5 inches, which Are sharp top & bottom. bottom edge is sharp all the way to the guard. no markings. the chape is actually loose (staple is missing) i'll see if i can move it up a bit to better fit the blade. leather needs a bit of softening.

[fernando]

So you face two versions for future record; either the scabbard belonged in another sword or this very one was shortened ... for whatever reason. One staple missing; easier to dismount the chape and trim a portion of the leather. You just have to check if the 'new' scabbard width fits well into the tappering chape; correct ?

[fernando]

... no markings ...
Wasn't the scallop shell guard originally a German fashion ?

[Roland_M]

Hello,

it is a 19. ct. European, probably German, Hunting dagger (deer catcher).

If you follow this link, you will see more examples of the same type.

https://www.google.de/search?q=hirschf%C3%A4nger+19.+Jhd.&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi--5auqrTXAhVCDuwKHeV5BqIQ_AUICygC&biw=1670&bih=921

If you find something of interest, I will translate it for you.

Sometimes they had been used as a side weapon for upper class on the battlefield. Maybe the extremely long bayonets of late 19.ct. are copies of the deer catcher worn in battles.


Roland

[fernando]

... it is a 19. ct. European, probably German, Hunting dagger (deer catcher)...
Sure thing Roland, the Hirscfängers. Skipping the strict translation, with 53 cms blades (if not shortened from 55 cms) you may call them swords, not daggers; but that is just a little detail :o.

... Sometimes they had been used as a side weapon for upper class on the battlefield...
Quite right, Roland; as also to show off with a cerimonial uniform, like that of Captain Cook, i guess ;) .