Two hangers/short swords

[M ELEY]

Here's a couple of oldies from my collection that I've never posted. The first is a French brass hanger, ca. 1740-50 based on hilt grip style. The seond is a Dutch hanger, ca. 1730-50 with old style knuckle bow, nicely engraved. Hunting swords/hangers were very popular not only with the gentry, but with infantry officers and naval officers. The tight confines of a cluttered ship's deck allowed for little room for swinging large broadswords.