Hunting sword ... for comments

[fernando]

Thank you so much for your input, Gentlemen.
Ah ... Mark, the honey patina; i like that .

[Jim McDougall]

As the Capn has astutely noted, that 'cap' over the ricasso at the bottom of the guard does suggest 18th century. While these features may of course have extended into 19th in degree, it does lean to the earlier date.

On the example I posted, that feature is missing, and perhaps might have been there with the notable gap suggesting a remounted blade. Note the ends of the quillon terminals with hunting dogs.
These were known as 'talbots'.......anybody remember 'The Wolf Man', Lon Chaney Jr. ? His character was Larry 'Talbot' (the wolf man) in a bit of canine pun.

Here is what I believe to be a Continental version, probably 18th,and it seems to me the 'buttons' and open guard lean toward some French and German examples.

[M ELEY]

Great information on those opposing dog head finials, Jim! I always wondered if they had a name. 'Talbots'...very interesting! In themselves, they also IMHO lend to an earlier (pre-19th) dating. My 1660's Dutch hanger has them as well. I like your hanger as well, Jim. Besides, of course, being used by the gentry for hunting as well as infantry/army, the plain hangers were also popular at sea for their simplicity, brass fixtures (those that possessed them, that is) and relatively short blades.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you Capn!
I finally dragged out my Bashford Dean (1928), and I think Marius is right on the hanger in the OP.
Notes also from "Edged Weapons" , Frederick Wilkinson, 1970, p.94,
"...another type of sword was in favor at this time (2nd quarter 17th c) had a simpler hilt which comprised a cross quillon, usually straight with slight curves at the ends, but NO knucklebow at all. "

I have noted that most hunting swords, especially English, seem to have had knucklebows.

The flared out pommel seems to be French or German, and as I earlier notes the 'buttons' (medallions) in triple (or often 5), seem also to be French or German.

[fernando]

Sorry to bring this up again, guys.
Alright with the 18th century assessment but, the origin being French or German, you say ?
Isn't it also a German (hirshfanger) fashion to have a scallop shell guard ?

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by fernando

Sorry to bring this up again, guys.
Alright with the 18th century assessment but, the origin being French or German, you say ?
Isn't it also a German (hirshfanger) fashion to have a scallop shell guard ?

In my view, many forms of swords in the European sphere end up being classed as 'Continental' as there was so much diffusion in influence as well as the cutlers/artisans themselves.
When it comes to France and Germany, these countries were then largely principalities, kingdoms and states (not wishing to delve into differences of these terms)so it would be hard to define French vs. German.

However the German 'hirschfanger' and the French 'cuttoe de chasse' were basically similar, and most seem to have had the downturned shell from the crossguard. As always, there are no hard and fast rules so of course there were exceptions and variations.

This downturned shell became notable not only on these hunting swords but on court swords as well (as Dean, 1928 shows). It would seem that these shells, rather than having a combative purpose naturally, offered a larger field of surface for the ornamentation typically afforded these weapons.

France and Germany often had great commonality in many things, and the great blade center in Klingenthal had a large component of smiths from Solingen. Alsace-Lorraine has been either French or German so often over time that both languages are spoken as are the shared cultural characters.

[fernando]

Duly noted, Jim.