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 nice well-patinated English Pattern of 1752 Infantry Hanger, or Sword, with a distinctive "heart" shaped guard, with a small protrusion at the top. It features a 27 1/2" curved blade, with twisted brass wire bound grip, which is still in great shape.

The hanger has some lovely regimental markings on the grip: NORFOLK = M = E = B, which signifies issued to the Norfolk Militia, East Battery. There is also a 4 / 1 marking on the other side, probably indicating which company and weapon number it is.

The blade is also quite nice, with a lovely dark patina, almost looking like it was blued or browned at some point. There is a "Running Wolf" insignia on either side, with S H on the body, 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.

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

Specifications:
Overall length: 34”
Blade length: 27 1/2”
Blade Style: Curved Single Edge with Fuller
Guard Dimensions: 5" width x 5 1/2” length