18th century hanger

[M ELEY]

Here's an old soldier with an unfortunately cut down blade. Still, a classic pattern dating from the Revolution used by hunters, infantry and sailors. The grip is stag antler and the fine shell guard hangs tight to the blade. The shortened blade must have been cut contemporary to its use, as the patina is even. Close examples from Neumann includes 24S, 64S, and 87S. An exact type (sans shortened blade) is seen in a Rev War soldier's trunk, pg 37, of 'American Revolution' (Doring Kindersley books), whose images were taken from the Smithsonian. Likewise, on pg 77,figure 17 of Gilkerson's 'Boarders Away', there is a pen sketch of this same sword. While not a provenance naval piece, it certainly fits the category of short hanger, precursor to later cutlasses and popular with naval men.