Hunting Sword

Jim McDougall · 24th July 2025, 10:41 PM

Im with the Capn on this, and think this is most likely English of mid 18th, with the stag horn grip, and general character. The downturned shell is indeed reminiscent of the German 'hirshfanger' (cuttoe) and the hunting scene typical, the dog on the pommel cap I think simply reflecting the importance of the dog to the hunter.

It is interesting to see the now indiscernible motif on the blade, and though it may be with arms suggesting military association its hard to see. As hunting was of course an activity of gentry and high station any number of motifs of this character might have been present.

The blade seems to be of German form, mid 18th, but it is heavy and straight while it seems most cuttoe types have lighter slightly curved blades. The nature of the hollowed channel stopping in the upper part of the blade to form an extended block type forte compares to a narrower blade with same style fuller on a French cuttoe c. 1760s with the blade noted as German.

As noted, these kinds of hangers were much favored by officers on vessels, and stout heavy blades like this favored, most regulation style cutlasses had straight heavy blades.

24th July 2025, 10:41 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,452	Im with the Capn on this, and think this is most likely English of mid 18th, with the stag horn grip, and general character. The downturned shell is indeed reminiscent of the German 'hirshfanger' (cuttoe) and the hunting scene typical, the dog on the pommel cap I think simply reflecting the importance of the dog to the hunter. It is interesting to see the now indiscernible motif on the blade, and though it may be with arms suggesting military association its hard to see. As hunting was of course an activity of gentry and high station any number of motifs of this character might have been present. The blade seems to be of German form, mid 18th, but it is heavy and straight while it seems most cuttoe types have lighter slightly curved blades. The nature of the hollowed channel stopping in the upper part of the blade to form an extended block type forte compares to a narrower blade with same style fuller on a French cuttoe c. 1760s with the blade noted as German. As noted, these kinds of hangers were much favored by officers on vessels, and stout heavy blades like this favored, most regulation style cutlasses had straight heavy blades.