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Jim McDougall · 13th August 2021, 07:11 AM

I have been trying to locate more on these Hounslow blades.
With the hanger in the OP, as compelling as the case for 1553 being a commemorative date is, especially having ANNO with it, the following moves toward the use of magic numbers.
These are four numbers, typically used along with the running wolf, in most cases with two of the numbers on either side of the wolf.

The running wolf itself was applied to blades which were made in Solingen to be hilted in Passau, a center for Landsknechts, mercenary forces. These were basically talismanic imbuements, and in many cases numbers with magic properties were combined with them.

In "Cut and Thrust Weapons", E. Wagner, Prague, 1967, material from "Die Klingenmarke 1414(1441)and Related Numerical Signs ", Walter Rose, (Zeitschrifte fur Historische Waffen und Kostumkunde", Vol.14, p.13) :

"...blades forged by Johannes Wundes used 1479; Johannes Kueller used 1495; Meves Berns 1506; Johann Hartcop 1506; Mathias Wundes 1515;and Peter Munich 1436".

Apparently according to Wagner (op.cit. p.76-77) Solingen makers making blades for Passau intended for Archprince Leopold began c. 1611, and through the Thirty Years War, with the running wolf applied as a kind of 'brand'. From there it gained a quality type character.

When the shops with German makers opened in Hounslow, blades with many having the latten running wolf were sent there, and many were inscribed with makers names and ME FECIT HOUNSLOW etc.

In "Catalog of the Sword Collection at York Castle Museum" (P.R.Newman, 1985) numbers of these blades are found in many of the swords.

Most important:
p.48 a dog head sword with English hilt c. 1640-50 has a German blade (no wolf) BUT THE MARKING ANNO 1414.
The numbers 1414 and 1441 are likely the most common magic numbers found on Solingen and some other European blades as they are based on the number 7.
Here the ANNO is found with a 'magic' number , not a date.

Another sword (p.52) has a maker, IOHAN ESALESON ANNO 1641.

Another p.51 , running wolf, number 1561, the hilt c. 1650
CA826, German blade , wolf, 1517
p.50: wolf, German blade 1670
p.29: wolf, 1399, hilt c. 1620-50
p.33: wolf, 1523, c. 1620
p.47: wolf, 1541 c. 1650
p.39 : wolf, 1656

While not helpful for the commemorative date theory on this great hanger, it is an example with a remarkable blade, and it does appear these blades were coming into England from Solingen from early 17th c. years. The mystery numbers on these blades seem largely to be of the 'magical variety, but clearly some represent authentic dates (1650,1670).

Still working on the wolf with the cross over it. It seems like I have seen it before but cannot locate. The shield at the forte only compares with a mark from Verdun (France) but that is too early for this blade (Gyngell and Lenciewicz have it c. 1480). It is similar to Passau types of early 17th but those are unidentified users.

13th August 2021, 07:11 AM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	MAGIC NUMBERS I have been trying to locate more on these Hounslow blades. With the hanger in the OP, as compelling as the case for 1553 being a commemorative date is, especially having ANNO with it, the following moves toward the use of magic numbers. These are four numbers, typically used along with the running wolf, in most cases with two of the numbers on either side of the wolf. The running wolf itself was applied to blades which were made in Solingen to be hilted in Passau, a center for Landsknechts, mercenary forces. These were basically talismanic imbuements, and in many cases numbers with magic properties were combined with them. In "Cut and Thrust Weapons", E. Wagner, Prague, 1967, material from "Die Klingenmarke 1414(1441)and Related Numerical Signs ", Walter Rose, (Zeitschrifte fur Historische Waffen und Kostumkunde", Vol.14, p.13) : "...blades forged by Johannes Wundes used 1479; Johannes Kueller used 1495; Meves Berns 1506; Johann Hartcop 1506; Mathias Wundes 1515;and Peter Munich 1436". Apparently according to Wagner (op.cit. p.76-77) Solingen makers making blades for Passau intended for Archprince Leopold began c. 1611, and through the Thirty Years War, with the running wolf applied as a kind of 'brand'. From there it gained a quality type character. When the shops with German makers opened in Hounslow, blades with many having the latten running wolf were sent there, and many were inscribed with makers names and ME FECIT HOUNSLOW etc. In "Catalog of the Sword Collection at York Castle Museum" (P.R.Newman, 1985) numbers of these blades are found in many of the swords. Most important: p.48 a dog head sword with English hilt c. 1640-50 has a German blade (no wolf) BUT THE MARKING ANNO 1414. The numbers 1414 and 1441 are likely the most common magic numbers found on Solingen and some other European blades as they are based on the number 7. Here the ANNO is found with a 'magic' number , not a date. Another sword (p.52) has a maker, IOHAN ESALESON ANNO 1641. Another p.51 , running wolf, number 1561, the hilt c. 1650 CA826, German blade , wolf, 1517 p.50: wolf, German blade 1670 p.29: wolf, 1399, hilt c. 1620-50 p.33: wolf, 1523, c. 1620 p.47: wolf, 1541 c. 1650 p.39 : wolf, 1656 While not helpful for the commemorative date theory on this great hanger, it is an example with a remarkable blade, and it does appear these blades were coming into England from Solingen from early 17th c. years. The mystery numbers on these blades seem largely to be of the 'magical variety, but clearly some represent authentic dates (1650,1670). Still working on the wolf with the cross over it. It seems like I have seen it before but cannot locate. The shield at the forte only compares with a mark from Verdun (France) but that is too early for this blade (Gyngell and Lenciewicz have it c. 1480). It is similar to Passau types of early 17th but those are unidentified users.