Old Dutch hanger

cornelistromp · 17th March 2026, 10:11 AM

this sword was carried by William III at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

The silver-hilted swords likely served as models for the versions in wood and ivory; these are less detailed and, in my opinion, made in overseas colonial territories, like the example carved from wood in the Rijksmuseum.

attached pic from National museum of Ireland.

best

Jasper

M ELEY · 17th March 2026, 05:55 PM

Jasper, thank you for posting this amazing example of these types of hangers. My example I always believed (as you point out) were probably made in a colonial setting. The example I posted that started this thread had a hilt made of tropical oranhe-colored wood that had split slightly over the ages. It was makred with the 4-dot 'crucifix' pattern found on Shri Lanken coins, so I assumed possibly from that region, dating to the Anglo-Dutch Wars for thespice trade. it is interesting to see this new example, but I now remember that William III was formerly William of Orange, noting the Dutch connection. Thanks for posting!
Mark

gp · 19th March 2026, 11:38 AM

Interesting yet different lion sword as well from Sri Lanka, English at the second half of the page:

https://www.eerstekamer.nl/overig/20...stane/document

although completely different, another lion-head grip one which only has this limited description "lion head "yatagan". Indopersia, circa 1800."
would any one on the forum know much about the latter?

17th March 2026, 10:11 AM	#1
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,071	this sword was carried by William III at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. The silver-hilted swords likely served as models for the versions in wood and ivory; these are less detailed and, in my opinion, made in overseas colonial territories, like the example carved from wood in the Rijksmuseum. attached pic from National museum of Ireland. best Jasper Attached Images

19th March 2026, 11:38 AM	#3
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 1,028	Interesting yet different lion sword as well from Sri Lanka, English at the second half of the page: https://www.eerstekamer.nl/overig/20...stane/document although completely different, another lion-head grip one which only has this limited description "lion head "yatagan". Indopersia, circa 1800." would any one on the forum know much about the latter? Attached Images Last edited by gp; 19th March 2026 at 06:56 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

17th March 2026, 05:55 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,229	Jasper, thank you for posting this amazing example of these types of hangers. My example I always believed (as you point out) were probably made in a colonial setting. The example I posted that started this thread had a hilt made of tropical oranhe-colored wood that had split slightly over the ages. It was makred with the 4-dot 'crucifix' pattern found on Shri Lanken coins, so I assumed possibly from that region, dating to the Anglo-Dutch Wars for thespice trade. it is interesting to see this new example, but I now remember that William III was formerly William of Orange, noting the Dutch connection. Thanks for posting! Mark