December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
For another example of this exact form, see plate 12.S on page 65 of "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution" by George C. Neumann. The curved, single-edged blade on this military hanger is 27 1/8 inches long by 1 ¼ inches wide at the ricasso and swells out near its tip. It has a wide, single fuller which terminates near the beginning of the 6 inch-long, false edge. The left face on the blade is deeply stamped with the maker’s touchmark at the ricasso and consists of a cartouche bearing ‘T / HOLLIER’ within. Thomas Hollier (c. 1680-1754) was a Kentish cutler who held major contracts with the Board of Ordnance for edged weapons, including Sea Service swords (cutlasses) and hangers—most of which were produced on facilities he leased at the Board’s Armoury Mills at Lewisham, London. Blades of this form are also found on the doghead-hilted cutlasses or Sea Service swords that Hollier also produced for the Board of Ordnance during this period. The brass hilt of this hanger consists of a heart-shaped crossguard with reinforced borders, flattened globular quillon and a curved knuckle-guard joined on both sides by scrolled side branches emanating from the crossguard. The hollow, brass grip was cast in two pieces and is grooved or channeled, terminating in an integral, ball-shaped pommel. A near identical example of this scarce pattern is in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle. CONDITION: Blade retains a grey patina with scattered pitting, marking good, tip slightly rounded. Hilt retains a pleasing dark mustard patina. Hilt tight to blade.