December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
Introduced into the foot companies of the Royal Artillery Regiment in the early 1800s, this, short, heavy-bladed short sword was inspired by those carried by the foot artillery of the Prussian Army and thus, was originally referred to the 'Prussian sword', but was also later referred to as the 'Spanish pattern' sword or hanger, presumably due to their widespread use for the first time during the Peninsula campaigns. As with its German counterpart, it was intended to serve both as a tool (in lieu of a fascine knife or hatchet) and a weapon of defense. The blade is 24.5 inches long with 1 .5 inches wide at ricasso; there is a "[crown] / 1" inspection mark on the right face of the blade and the maker's name "DAWES" stamped on the spine near the guard. It has a brass, stirrup-hilt with a wooden grip with carved grooves or channels, covered in black leather. The scabbard is of thick leather (replaced) with original brass throat and drag, the former with frog button. CONDITION: some wear to the high points on the leather grip wrapping, the brass hilt mounts with the usual nicks and dings and warm, dull finish; the blade grey with a fairly uniform, moderate freckling.