Hunting hanger information sought

M ELEY · 10th September 2016, 11:31 PM

As stated, an early English hanger circa 1690-1720. The king's head and crown are actually the mark of the Wundes smiths of Germany, who supplied fine blades to the English at this time. Every one of these I've seen marked have that king's head.
Mark

M ELEY · 10th September 2016, 11:35 PM

Here's mine, a variant style of the same type of hanger. Although very popular with naval, they were also used by infantry at the time. Note the references I mention in that past thread, if you wish more info and pics of these cool hangers...
Also note in that earlier thread the excellent info from Jim McDougall and Dmitri.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17233

Kmaddock · 11th September 2016, 09:30 AM

Hi Mark
Many thanks for the information
Iti is so ironic that I went to the auction to look at what was described as

" 2 old swords"

And found a Tulwar and this hanger, I bought the lot as I liked the Tulwar because it had a flaired blade tip which looked well

Now the hanger, which was of no real interest to me has opened up a whole new avenue of information and study.

What a great hobby!

Best regards

Ken

M ELEY · 11th September 2016, 07:48 PM

Yes, you got a great find there! These aren't so common and they fetch huge prices. I was lucky to get mine for a fair price only because it was labeled as a '19th c. German hirshfanger'. These early hangers influenced those later hunting implements. Great find!

Pukka Bundook · 12th September 2016, 01:42 AM

Very nice Ken, and I am sure you got the wolf mark right. Certainly looks like it to me anyway.

Best,
Richard.

Jim McDougall · 15th September 2016, 09:36 PM

This is an extremely nice 17th century example of these hunting swords or hangers, which were not only used for hunting, but often carried by officers in various units particularly auxiliary and yeomanry among others. Naturally these are well known in naval service for their ideal size.
It must be remembered that 'hunting swords' were an extremely 'fashionable' weapon, and the reason so commonly interspersed between 'hunting' and 'military' use is that officers were of course gentry, and the hunt was a status oriented event.

As Mark has well noted, the period for this is likely as stated, 1690-1720, which places this nicely in piracy's golden age, arrrgghhhh!!!
I would note that the cherub motif is well described in the fantastic book on British military swords of this period by Stuart Mowbray.

If there is indeed a running wolf on this blade, the potential for this being a Shotley Bridge hanger is heightened as they were producing hangers in this time often using the running wolf. Solingen by this time had somewhat ceased the running wolf, curiously about the time the expatriate Shotley makers were using it.
The running wolf ended with the close of Shotley Bridge early 18thc and was not seen again until Samuel Harvey started using it with his SH initials c,1750.

The Wundes kings head was widely used in Solingen and it seems in equally wide variation as well as number (often in twos, threes and fours).

I recall a wonderful hanger I had (back in the 70s) which had the mark of Wirsberger in the blade and it was of this type with staghorn. Ironically I lost it in a trade to Fagan back then!!!! auughhh!

kronckew · 16th September 2016, 10:08 AM

good catch, ken.

saw that one for auction online, almost bid on it except they did not offer a packing/shipping option and i didn't feel like tackling arranging that myself internationally. kinda damp drive from here to there anyway.

there does seem to be a wolf on the blade in the photos. i see front & real legs, tail, and a very vague head, back line & lower body line.

enlarged & sharpened:

16th September 2016, 10:08 AM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,238	good catch, ken. saw that one for auction online, almost bid on it except they did not offer a packing/shipping option and i didn't feel like tackling arranging that myself internationally. kinda damp drive from here to there anyway. there does seem to be a wolf on the blade in the photos. i see front & real legs, tail, and a very vague head, back line & lower body line. enlarged & sharpened: Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 16th September 2016 at 12:37 PM.

10th September 2016, 11:31 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	As stated, an early English hanger circa 1690-1720. The king's head and crown are actually the mark of the Wundes smiths of Germany, who supplied fine blades to the English at this time. Every one of these I've seen marked have that king's head. Mark

10th September 2016, 11:35 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Here's mine, a variant style of the same type of hanger. Although very popular with naval, they were also used by infantry at the time. Note the references I mention in that past thread, if you wish more info and pics of these cool hangers... Also note in that earlier thread the excellent info from Jim McDougall and Dmitri. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17233

11th September 2016, 09:30 AM	#3
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Mark Many thanks for the information Iti is so ironic that I went to the auction to look at what was described as " 2 old swords" And found a Tulwar and this hanger, I bought the lot as I liked the Tulwar because it had a flaired blade tip which looked well Now the hanger, which was of no real interest to me has opened up a whole new avenue of information and study. What a great hobby! Best regards Ken

11th September 2016, 07:48 PM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Yes, you got a great find there! These aren't so common and they fetch huge prices. I was lucky to get mine for a fair price only because it was labeled as a '19th c. German hirshfanger'. These early hangers influenced those later hunting implements. Great find!

12th September 2016, 01:42 AM	#5
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Very nice Ken, and I am sure you got the wolf mark right. Certainly looks like it to me anyway. Best, Richard.

15th September 2016, 09:36 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,455	This is an extremely nice 17th century example of these hunting swords or hangers, which were not only used for hunting, but often carried by officers in various units particularly auxiliary and yeomanry among others. Naturally these are well known in naval service for their ideal size. It must be remembered that 'hunting swords' were an extremely 'fashionable' weapon, and the reason so commonly interspersed between 'hunting' and 'military' use is that officers were of course gentry, and the hunt was a status oriented event. As Mark has well noted, the period for this is likely as stated, 1690-1720, which places this nicely in piracy's golden age, arrrgghhhh!!! I would note that the cherub motif is well described in the fantastic book on British military swords of this period by Stuart Mowbray. If there is indeed a running wolf on this blade, the potential for this being a Shotley Bridge hanger is heightened as they were producing hangers in this time often using the running wolf. Solingen by this time had somewhat ceased the running wolf, curiously about the time the expatriate Shotley makers were using it. The running wolf ended with the close of Shotley Bridge early 18thc and was not seen again until Samuel Harvey started using it with his SH initials c,1750. The Wundes kings head was widely used in Solingen and it seems in equally wide variation as well as number (often in twos, threes and fours). I recall a wonderful hanger I had (back in the 70s) which had the mark of Wirsberger in the blade and it was of this type with staghorn. Ironically I lost it in a trade to Fagan back then!!!! auughhh!