Hunting hanger information sought

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:

M ELEY · 17th September 2016, 03:19 AM

I had forgotten about Shotley Bridge using that running wolf mark, as Jim pointed out. I remembered Harvey and the early Passau wolf mark as we've discussed it on previous threads. I actually had never seen one of these types with the running wolf, most being unmarked or the Wundes king's head.

16th September 2016, 10:08 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	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.

12th September 2016, 01:42 AM	#1
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	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,284	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!

17th September 2016, 03:19 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,159	I had forgotten about Shotley Bridge using that running wolf mark, as Jim pointed out. I remembered Harvey and the early Passau wolf mark as we've discussed it on previous threads. I actually had never seen one of these types with the running wolf, most being unmarked or the Wundes king's head.