Dutch hanger for russian market?

cornelistromp · 24th June 2019, 07:33 PM

I recently purchased this hanger at an auction. The cutlass is of a very large proportion, almost 90 cm long, with big brass cast shells of unequal dimensions, an ivory carved grip and a cast pommel cap. the sharp blade has a slight bow and a 20 cm sharpened clip-point.
Weapons of this type, construction and material were made in the Netherlands in the second half of the 17th century, mainly in silver and brass.
My theory is that this weapon was also made in the Netherlands for the export market, probably Russia, given the design of the pommel cap.

The image of the Sultan on the shells, attacked by two hungry lions is probably Mustafa 2, an Ottoman sultan who reigned at the end of the 17th century.

best,
Jasper

M ELEY · 29th June 2019, 09:57 AM

How did I miss this one? Jasper, you've got a great eye for cutlasses! This one is a real beauty! Unfortunately, I've nothing to add on your export theory. Seems plausible enough. Lord knows the Dutch were importing and exporting all manner of fine swords during this period. Congrats on the cutlass and if you ever decide to part with it, well, you know the rest!

Mark

cornelistromp · 29th June 2019, 11:49 AM

thank you Mark, yes it is indeed a beautiful and very interesting cutlass.
I think the image of the Sultan defeated by lions refers to the demise of the Turkish Empire in central Europe at the end of the 17th century.

fe The Treaty of Constantinople of 1700, after the Sultan had lost the Azov region to Peter the Great.

attached: Taking of Azov, a 17th-century Dutch engraving, 1699 - Adriaan van Schoonebeek

best,
jasper

fernando · 29th June 2019, 05:25 PM

An excellent sword indeed; and with such a powerful blade for a hanger

.

Victrix · 29th June 2019, 06:08 PM

That’s a lovely sword, Jasper. Congratulations. I like the honest signs of wear and the historic decorations which you commented on.

Do you think the sword originally had a tang nut which was removed to rehilt it, and replaced with a peened tang?

Also I wanted to ask you if the Netherlands produced its own blades or imported them all. I know a lot was purchased from Solingen. In Sweden the king first ordered the production of local blades in the first half of the 17thC, which was organized by Admiral Clas Feming (who’s family ancestry was of Flemish origins not surprisingly).

cornelistromp · 30th June 2019, 12:33 PM

hard to tell if there had been a tang button, see fe examples on

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=lionhilt

there was a lively trade in arms in the 17th c.
parts were imported from everywhere and assembled into weapons in the Netherlands, fe blades from Solingen and Passau.
the Dutch arms market was a source for supply for everybody who wanted to wage war or was under attack.
In 1592 Sweden placed an urgent order for a regiment of 1500 people for the war against Muscovy in Holland; 200 muskets, 800 calivers,1000 helmets, 350 suits of armour , 1000 pikes , 500 rapiers and cutlasses and 30 drums. ( the arsenal of the world the dutch arms trade in the 17thC, p.14)

best,
jasper

24th June 2019, 07:33 PM	#1
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,058	Dutch hanger for russian market? I recently purchased this hanger at an auction. The cutlass is of a very large proportion, almost 90 cm long, with big brass cast shells of unequal dimensions, an ivory carved grip and a cast pommel cap. the sharp blade has a slight bow and a 20 cm sharpened clip-point. Weapons of this type, construction and material were made in the Netherlands in the second half of the 17th century, mainly in silver and brass. My theory is that this weapon was also made in the Netherlands for the export market, probably Russia, given the design of the pommel cap. The image of the Sultan on the shells, attacked by two hungry lions is probably Mustafa 2, an Ottoman sultan who reigned at the end of the 17th century. best, Jasper Attached Images

29th June 2019, 11:49 AM	#3
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,058	thank you Mark, yes it is indeed a beautiful and very interesting cutlass. I think the image of the Sultan defeated by lions refers to the demise of the Turkish Empire in central Europe at the end of the 17th century. fe The Treaty of Constantinople of 1700, after the Sultan had lost the Azov region to Peter the Great. attached: Taking of Azov, a 17th-century Dutch engraving, 1699 - Adriaan van Schoonebeek best, jasper Attached Images

29th June 2019, 06:08 PM	#5
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 710	That’s a lovely sword, Jasper. Congratulations. I like the honest signs of wear and the historic decorations which you commented on. Do you think the sword originally had a tang nut which was removed to rehilt it, and replaced with a peened tang? Also I wanted to ask you if the Netherlands produced its own blades or imported them all. I know a lot was purchased from Solingen. In Sweden the king first ordered the production of local blades in the first half of the 17thC, which was organized by Admiral Clas Feming (who’s family ancestry was of Flemish origins not surprisingly). Last edited by Victrix; 30th June 2019 at 12:31 AM.

29th June 2019, 09:57 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,097	How did I miss this one? Jasper, you've got a great eye for cutlasses! This one is a real beauty! Unfortunately, I've nothing to add on your export theory. Seems plausible enough. Lord knows the Dutch were importing and exporting all manner of fine swords during this period. Congrats on the cutlass and if you ever decide to part with it, well, you know the rest! Mark

29th June 2019, 05:25 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	An excellent sword indeed; and with such a powerful blade for a hanger .

30th June 2019, 12:33 PM	#6
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,058	hard to tell if there had been a tang button, see fe examples on http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=lionhilt there was a lively trade in arms in the 17th c. parts were imported from everywhere and assembled into weapons in the Netherlands, fe blades from Solingen and Passau. the Dutch arms market was a source for supply for everybody who wanted to wage war or was under attack. In 1592 Sweden placed an urgent order for a regiment of 1500 people for the war against Muscovy in Holland; 200 muskets, 800 calivers,1000 helmets, 350 suits of armour , 1000 pikes , 500 rapiers and cutlasses and 30 drums. ( the arsenal of the world the dutch arms trade in the 17thC, p.14) best, jasper