Original Item: Only One Available. The British "infantry hanger" is a short sword issued to infantrymen in the 17th and 18th centuries, intended to serve as a secondary weapon to the infantryman's musket. These usually featured a blade about 25 inches in length, but they varied in length and design significantly, as officially there were no specific requirements at the time. However, one particular design was shown in illustrations dated 1742 prepared for the Duke of Cumberland, which is often called the "Pattern 1742" by collectors.

These feature a brass hilt cast in two pieces, the brass grip and pommel, and the counter guard with knuckle bow. The guard is quite distinctive, spreading into a heart shape with a raised border and center ridge on both sides, and featuring a small protrusion at the very top. The grip itself is usually bound with twisted brass wire for a more secure grip.

This is a very nice matured English Pattern of 1752 Infantry Hanger, or Sword, correct to the pattern with a distinctive "heart" shaped guard bearing a small protrusion at the top. It features a 27 1/4" curved blade, with twisted brass wire bound grip, which is still in great shape. The hanger has some lovely regimental / unit markings on the top of the guard: 2'D B and 142, probably the second Battalion of the 142nd regiment, which we have not been able to identify. There are no markings on the other side of the guard. Overall the grip is solid, with no wobble we can detect, definitely a rarity!

The blade is also quite nice, showing some past oxidation that was cleaned away, but still very solid with no major pitting or other damage. The blade is still relatively sharp as well, and it has a lovely gentle curve to it. There is a British CROWN inspection mark on the ricasso just above the guard on the left side.

There are also "Running Wolf" insignia on both sides, for maker Samuel Harvey, a cutler in Birmingham, England. The firm was originally established in 1748, and used the mark of the "running fox" on both sides of their sword blades. This could be either with or without the "S H" inside the fox. After Samuel’s death in 1778 the family business was continued by his son and grandson, both of the same name, the last of whom died in 1810. The markings have been seen on other similar militia hangers of the period, and this looks to be an early pattern marking, so this sword is probably from the mid 18th century circa 1760.

Overall condition is very nice with a great look. This would look fantastic as part of any edged weapon collection. We have only ever seen a few of these, and we do not expect to have another anytime soon!

A nice example of the pattern 1742 Infantry Hanger some nice research potential. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Overall length: 33”
Blade length: 27 1/4”
Blade Style: Curved Single Edge with Fuller
Guard Dimensions: 5" width x 5 1/2” length