18th century hanger with possible naval connections

Hotspur · 14th August 2016, 12:34 AM

Jim, I am but a wayfayer following the footprints of giants.

M ELEY · 15th August 2016, 12:25 AM

I like to think of ourselves as the purveyors of knowledge, even if we are simply passing along something we learned 'from the giants!' In any case, I have always appreciated all of the advice, knowledge, and guesswork I have gleaned from our many forumites over the years.

Here are some closeups of the hilt. Note the birdhead construction, early capstan and separate brass guard (not all one piece, as the later 19th c. pieces are. I love the old yellow patina to the grip. Note the little notch to the knucklebow, which on Brit pieces often have a drilled hole post 1790.

M ELEY · 15th August 2016, 12:43 AM

More, showing nice watered steel blade and slightly off center spear point-

M ELEY · 15th August 2016, 12:47 AM

Glenn, I thought about your comments on Prahl swords and managed to find a very similar hilt in an article from Man-at-Arms magazine.

While I'm not saying mine is a Prahl nor even that it's American, I will stick to my guns and say that I think it shows it to be of the same period, ca. 1780-1810, perfect for the QuasiWar, 1812/Napoleonic period. I also think you got it in the right region, France.

M ELEY · 15th August 2016, 12:52 AM

I'm willing to admit that the RX probably is just ordinance marking, but as far as No.46 being too high a number for naval usage, I don't agree when it comes to privateering. No doubt, these groups of one-off swords could have been made in large batches for a small squadron of ships. I'm not swearing it's naval, I'm just saying it is still possible. Then there is the possibility that Glenn brought up that it could be a marine piece. In any case, an 18th/early 19th c. hanger, possibly French, possibly naval...

Jim McDougall · 15th August 2016, 08:01 PM

Excellent call Glen! That makes perfect sense and a compelling possible attribution.
BTW.....you IS one of the giants

Mark, we are indeed gatherers of information and discovery on these weapons, and we all learn together from them. The fun and adventure is the secrets they hold, and often share with us, sometimes it seems almost reluctantly. We are a band of adventurers and romantics in a quest to find those treasures........though they aint gold....they are golden!!!! Arrrr!

Hotspur · 15th August 2016, 10:50 PM

Hmmm.....While I never mentioned Prahl, I guess I could be flattered

Thanks for the article share. What I was getting at was that short straight hangers came in a lot of variety and that maritime use a good possibility.

Cheers

GC

15th August 2016, 12:25 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	I like to think of ourselves as the purveyors of knowledge, even if we are simply passing along something we learned 'from the giants!' In any case, I have always appreciated all of the advice, knowledge, and guesswork I have gleaned from our many forumites over the years. Here are some closeups of the hilt. Note the birdhead construction, early capstan and separate brass guard (not all one piece, as the later 19th c. pieces are. I love the old yellow patina to the grip. Note the little notch to the knucklebow, which on Brit pieces often have a drilled hole post 1790. Attached Images

15th August 2016, 12:43 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	More, showing nice watered steel blade and slightly off center spear point- Attached Images

15th August 2016, 12:47 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Glenn, I thought about your comments on Prahl swords and managed to find a very similar hilt in an article from Man-at-Arms magazine. While I'm not saying mine is a Prahl nor even that it's American, I will stick to my guns and say that I think it shows it to be of the same period, ca. 1780-1810, perfect for the QuasiWar, 1812/Napoleonic period. I also think you got it in the right region, France. Attached Images Last edited by M ELEY; 15th August 2016 at 02:04 AM.

14th August 2016, 12:34 AM	#1
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 508	Jim, I am but a wayfayer following the footprints of giants.

15th August 2016, 12:52 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	I'm willing to admit that the RX probably is just ordinance marking, but as far as No.46 being too high a number for naval usage, I don't agree when it comes to privateering. No doubt, these groups of one-off swords could have been made in large batches for a small squadron of ships. I'm not swearing it's naval, I'm just saying it is still possible. Then there is the possibility that Glenn brought up that it could be a marine piece. In any case, an 18th/early 19th c. hanger, possibly French, possibly naval...

15th August 2016, 08:01 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,195	Excellent call Glen! That makes perfect sense and a compelling possible attribution. BTW.....you IS one of the giants Mark, we are indeed gatherers of information and discovery on these weapons, and we all learn together from them. The fun and adventure is the secrets they hold, and often share with us, sometimes it seems almost reluctantly. We are a band of adventurers and romantics in a quest to find those treasures........though they aint gold....they are golden!!!! Arrrr!

15th August 2016, 10:50 PM	#7
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 508	Hmmm.....While I never mentioned Prahl, I guess I could be flattered Thanks for the article share. What I was getting at was that short straight hangers came in a lot of variety and that maritime use a good possibility. Cheers GC