[M ELEY]

This is a very interesting hanger indeed! You are right that it is a mystery, as I don't know of any pattern exactly like this one. That being said, many of the hangers of this time period didn't fit into nice clean 'patterns'. So, we are left with clues only. The marking is indeed German and I think we've discussed this mark before on another thread. Just a few points for consideration. You will note the quillon on this piece juts straight out from the guard and is teardrop shaped. This detail is one found on German swords of the early/mid 18th century. See Neumann's 'Swords and Blades of the American Revolution", 42S, 161S. However, the pommel looks distinctly English or Scottish and falls into the same time period 1700-50.

The intricately recurved bars of the guard are beautiful, but tell us little. German, English and French swords all had similar patterns of similar fashion. As Germany was supplying most of the blades during this period, the fact that it is a German blade likewise gives no clues.

I believe the key in possibly finding some answers lies in the brass grip. Assuming the brass grip is original to the piece (and I think it is), I would wager this hanger would have been used by infantry. Brass grips and solid brass hilts were popular with both infantry and naval officers as the metal was naturally rust resistant. Horsemen/cavalry dispised brass as it didn't give them a strong grip when slashing at an opponent. Typically, the maritime hangers would not have had an open grip (but there were exceptions), so I personally think this is infantry? Because of the style of pommel and similarites I've seen of early English hangers, I'm guessing that's what we have here (but it's only my guess!)