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, but this example has the stepped brass ball grip.

This is a very nice matured English Pattern of 1742 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. 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.

The blade of the hanger retains its original length and is covered with evidence of past pitting & oxidation which has been cleaned away, with a lovely patina emanating as a result. There are almost no chips or damage in the edge of the blade, and it is still extremely tight to the hilt.

The ricasso of the hanger is deeply stamped with the maker’s touchmark at the ricasso and consists of a cartouche bearing T / HOLLIER within. This identifies the sword as having been manufactured by Thomas Hollier. Thomas Hollier (c. 1680-1754) was a Kentish cutler & a contractor for the British Board of Ordnance, and worked as their tenant armourer at Armoury Mills, Lewisham, London from 1716-1753. Many of these contracts included He is said to be the likely father of the double-disk cutlass design. 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.

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 gorgeous example of the pattern 1742 Infantry Hanger with some great research potential. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Overall length: 32 1/2”
Blade length: 27 1/4”
Blade Style: Curved Single Edge with Fuller
Guard Dimensions: 5" width x 5 1/2” length