Unidentified hanger. Dutch?

midelburgo · 2nd July 2020, 10:03 PM

Thank you for the suggestions. I did not think of an oriental conection, but with navy and Dutch cannot be far.

The blade actually looks like a short version of British cavalry backswords for a century, and the faceted olive pommel also could fit.

The hilts and grips I have seen more similar, however, are from the French napoleonic navy dirks. But this thing is heavy and measures 81cm.

Although the way the hilt is constructed it is more similar to a kilij, but my pictures are bad at showing that.

midelburgo · 26th February 2021, 04:04 PM

Just an update.

Today I submitted this sword to electrolysis to eliminate the thick oxide crust. Under it I could find on one side

AÑO 181(4)

On the other side I believe I can read:

R Fa D To, meaning "Real Fabrica de Toledo"

So it is Spanish (it was found in Spain too). The marking style is not that of the Toledo weapons belonging to the king but that of private acquisitions.
French troops occupied Toledo until 1813 and in 1814, the swordsmiths, that kept a workshop in Cadiz until then, returned. It is not the first 1814 Toledo weapon I have seen.

Therefore the Lion means Spain, what is normal at this period, and the brought down Phrygian cap meaning the French Republic. This could have belonged to some Spaniard in Wellingtons Peninsular army.

2nd July 2020, 10:03 PM	#1
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 264	Thank you for the suggestions. I did not think of an oriental conection, but with navy and Dutch cannot be far. The blade actually looks like a short version of British cavalry backswords for a century, and the faceted olive pommel also could fit. The hilts and grips I have seen more similar, however, are from the French napoleonic navy dirks. But this thing is heavy and measures 81cm. Although the way the hilt is constructed it is more similar to a kilij, but my pictures are bad at showing that. Attached Images Last edited by midelburgo; 2nd July 2020 at 10:46 PM.

26th February 2021, 04:04 PM	#2
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 264	Just an update. Today I submitted this sword to electrolysis to eliminate the thick oxide crust. Under it I could find on one side AÑO 181(4) On the other side I believe I can read: R Fa D To, meaning "Real Fabrica de Toledo" So it is Spanish (it was found in Spain too). The marking style is not that of the Toledo weapons belonging to the king but that of private acquisitions. French troops occupied Toledo until 1813 and in 1814, the swordsmiths, that kept a workshop in Cadiz until then, returned. It is not the first 1814 Toledo weapon I have seen. Therefore the Lion means Spain, what is normal at this period, and the brought down Phrygian cap meaning the French Republic. This could have belonged to some Spaniard in Wellingtons Peninsular army. Last edited by midelburgo; 26th February 2021 at 04:31 PM.