Info Favorites Register Log in
myArmoury.com Discussion Forums

Forum index Memberlist Usergroups Spotlight Topics Search
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > hunting swords Reply to topic
This is a standard topic Go to page 1, 2  Next 
Author Message
Don Halter
Industry Professional



Location: Bryan, TX
Joined: 25 Mar 2004

Posts: 94

PostPosted: Fri 09 Apr, 2004 2:19 pm    Post subject: hunting swords         Reply with quote

I've been wanting to do some German Hunting Swords. I really like the ones that have the shell gaurds on them. I was curious why the shell section always flares up? I this simply a rain gaurd for the scabbard and not really any type of hand protector...or just simply the fasion of the time? Most of the designs I originally drew up had it more out to the side and curving around down over the knuckles.

Here's a site that has several 18th century hunting swords:

Go to the "swords" section
http://www.cottoneauctions.com/TomWnuck/Price%20Results.htm

Any other good sites with these, or accurate reproductions of them?

Don "Krag" Halter
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
Mark Moore




Location: East backwoods-assed Texas
Joined: 01 Oct 2003
Likes: 6 pages
Reading list: 1 book

Posts: 2,294

PostPosted: Fri 09 Apr, 2004 5:06 pm    Post subject: Hello, Don...         Reply with quote

In recent times, short hunting swords have become a passion for me....enough so for me to start one in my backyard shop. Mine will have a shell-guard that is turned down toward the hilt. I have found this to be most common in my searches. I can see no real, logical answer for the guard going one way or the other. The whole point is to keep the sword-hand from slipping down a slick, bloody blade and having a half-dead boar hog gut you like a Scot with a Claymore.
This is interesting, though. Shells up...or shells down? Fellows? Input?
.............MM.
View user's profile Send private message
Mark Moore




Location: East backwoods-assed Texas
Joined: 01 Oct 2003
Likes: 6 pages
Reading list: 1 book

Posts: 2,294

PostPosted: Fri 09 Apr, 2004 5:12 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

By the way......Welcome fellow Texan....neighbor. Email me personally any time at chubmonkey75494@yahoo.com. Always glad to help, and loooooove to talk shop!.........MM.
View user's profile Send private message
Craig Johnson
Industry Professional



Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Likes: 16 pages
Reading list: 20 books

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 1,422

PostPosted: Fri 09 Apr, 2004 8:59 pm    Post subject: Why         Reply with quote

Couple of things come to mind.

One, as was stated, more protective of the scabbard top when sheathed.

Two allows for better display of the artistic work on the out side of the shell.

Three does work well as a guard without hindering any grip or hand movment

It often seemed to me to be a development of the stud side guards on messers though this is purely my feverish brain speculating.

They did appear on other items, Landesknecht daggers for example.

Best
Craig
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Stephen A. Fisher




Location: Kentucky USA
Joined: 17 Oct 2003

Posts: 455

PostPosted: Sat 10 Apr, 2004 6:42 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hi Don,

I have quite a few pictures of hunting swords if your interested in seeing more examples. I'll elaborate a bit upon what Craig said with pictures:

"Two allows for better display of the artistic work on the out side of the shell."
(The hunting sword while in earlier forms, was a weapon taken out to be used on the hunt. A&A's awesome 16th century reproduction comes to mind. ) http://armor.com/2000/catalog/item918.html

Jump to the 17th/18th century, these short swords, quite different from the example above, became to be worn as regular everyday swords, and like the smallsword, were often just as decorated. It should also be noted that the blades & hilts of these "hunting" swords were often etched with animals, and scenes of the hunt. Which is why I believe that many these 18th century hangers have the term "hunting sword." Many times, these swords are also referred to as "hangers."

some more examples...

English Silver-hilt circa 1745



 Attachment: 15.57 KB
English Silver-Hilted Hunting Sword, circa 1745.jpg
from Peter Finer


Last edited by Stephen A. Fisher on Sat 10 Apr, 2004 7:47 pm; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Stephen A. Fisher




Location: Kentucky USA
Joined: 17 Oct 2003

Posts: 455

PostPosted: Sat 10 Apr, 2004 6:47 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

German Hunting Sword
18th century



 Attachment: 15.09 KB
18th_Century_Hunting_Sword_full.jpg


 Attachment: 59.83 KB
18th_Century_Hunting_Sword_hiltr.jpg


 Attachment: 52.01 KB
18th_Century_Hunting_Sword_hilt_revr.jpg


 Attachment: 46.14 KB
18th_Century_Hunting_Sword_pommelr.jpg

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Stephen A. Fisher




Location: Kentucky USA
Joined: 17 Oct 2003

Posts: 455

PostPosted: Sat 10 Apr, 2004 6:48 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

..


 Attachment: 74.81 KB
18th_Century_Hunting_Sword_%20langet.jpg

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Stephen A. Fisher




Location: Kentucky USA
Joined: 17 Oct 2003

Posts: 455

PostPosted: Sat 10 Apr, 2004 6:52 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

...


 Attachment: 43.82 KB
88512a.jpg


 Attachment: 112.72 KB
88512c.jpg


 Attachment: 44.49 KB
88512.jpg


 Attachment: 114.62 KB
88512d.jpg

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Stephen A. Fisher




Location: Kentucky USA
Joined: 17 Oct 2003

Posts: 455

PostPosted: Sat 10 Apr, 2004 7:03 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

16/17th century Hunting Sword/Hanger

(I've seen this one in person, not the most comfortable to hold, but it was awesome. I'd gladly pay the $1,600 for it if had the $$ to spare. Cool )



 Attachment: 69.66 KB
pdh.jpg
Pat Donnelly: Antique Arms

 Attachment: 49.35 KB
French.jpg
French Hunting Sword (Michael D. Long)

 Attachment: 43.77 KB
SINGLE EDGED BLADE 19.5 INCHES.jpg


 Attachment: 56.47 KB
474.jpg
German Hunting Sword/Hanger
18th century

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Stephen A. Fisher




Location: Kentucky USA
Joined: 17 Oct 2003

Posts: 455

PostPosted: Sat 10 Apr, 2004 7:10 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I've have seen a few examples of these combination swords, pretty neat.


 Attachment: 60.97 KB
German Hunting Sword - .40 cal. Flintlock Pistol Combination - $4500.00.jpg
(Liongate Arms & Armour)

 Attachment: 43.11 KB
Image19.jpg

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Stephen A. Fisher




Location: Kentucky USA
Joined: 17 Oct 2003

Posts: 455

PostPosted: Sat 10 Apr, 2004 7:34 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

..


 Attachment: 66.8 KB
hanger1.jpg
from "Swords & Blades of the American Revolution"

 Attachment: 55.2 KB
hanger2.jpg


 Attachment: 50.22 KB
hanger3.jpg

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Stephen A. Fisher




Location: Kentucky USA
Joined: 17 Oct 2003

Posts: 455

PostPosted: Sat 10 Apr, 2004 7:46 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Colonial Hunting Sword 18th century


 Attachment: 33.75 KB
Colonial Era Hunting Sword Carried by American Militia.jpg


 Attachment: 30.69 KB
Image2.jpg

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Don Halter
Industry Professional



Location: Bryan, TX
Joined: 25 Mar 2004

Posts: 94

PostPosted: Mon 12 Apr, 2004 6:34 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Wow, thanks for the detailed pics! I noticed that the style has dramatic changes over time. I had some pics of really early ones that were pretty basic. I took a trip to France a few years back and saw some nicer later ones. Quite a difference! I figured the later ones were probably used as dress more often than actual hunting purposes.
I'll have to dig out some of my sketches and psot the ideas I had. Your pics planted a few more ideas, though!

Don "Krag" Halter
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
Don Halter
Industry Professional



Location: Bryan, TX
Joined: 25 Mar 2004

Posts: 94

PostPosted: Wed 14 Apr, 2004 9:36 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Mark,
We emailed once before I think. Aren't you just around th corner down in Navasota, or somewhere close?

Here's what I had in mind. On two, the guard is kind of a hybrid pierced/shell configuration.

You wouldn't happen to have a pic of one like the French one, looking down from above would you? I keep seeing what looks like metal edging on the handle. Are these decorative (etched or engraved) or just smooth?



 Attachment: 22.86 KB
hswords.JPG


Don "Krag" Halter
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
Stephen A. Fisher




Location: Kentucky USA
Joined: 17 Oct 2003

Posts: 455

PostPosted: Wed 14 Apr, 2004 10:14 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Quote:
I keep seeing what looks like metal edging on the handle. Are these decorative (etched or engraved) or just smooth?


Don,

I believe you are talking about the backstrap, right? From the examples I've seen, they varied, from being plain, (left) to decorated (right.)



 Attachment: 48.59 KB
backstrap.jpg

View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
John Piscopo




Location: LaGrange, IL 60525 SW of Chicago
Joined: 26 Jan 2004

Spotlight topics: 3
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Thu 15 Apr, 2004 6:44 am    Post subject: Hunting Swords         Reply with quote

Dear Don & Stephen,

Thanks for sharing pictures of the hunting swords. Here are pictures of some of mine.



 Attachment: 50.9 KB
Hirschfangers 1.JPG


 Attachment: 34.51 KB
Hirschfangers 2.JPG


I collect swords and bayonets dated WWI back to the Bronze Age from the US and Europe and ancient swords and other weapons from Eurasia. I participate in many historical forums for the study of ancient history and weapons. I am happy to share what expertise I have. John Piscopo
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Don Halter
Industry Professional



Location: Bryan, TX
Joined: 25 Mar 2004

Posts: 94

PostPosted: Thu 15 Apr, 2004 7:03 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Steven,
Thanks, that was exactly the angle I needed. I have some absolutely spectacular french walnut slabs. they aren't thick enough for a full handle, but perfect for slab style.

John,
I just sat here with my mouth hanging open when I saw your pics! You've obviously been collecting for a while. I might hit you up for few blade measurements and assorted questions in the not too distant future.

Thanks for all y'alls help!


Edit:
Actually, while I'm sitting at work gawking......
Can you get me info on:
First pic,
1st, 3rd, 6th (counting down from top handles on the extreme left of horizontal hung)
One on right hung diagonally in the foreground
1st (from left) hanging down at bottom

Second pic,
7th down hung horizontal
2nd from left and 1st from right on the vertical hung ones at bottom

Thanks in advance for any insight on these blades!

Don "Krag" Halter


Last edited by Don Halter on Thu 15 Apr, 2004 7:24 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
John Piscopo




Location: LaGrange, IL 60525 SW of Chicago
Joined: 26 Jan 2004

Spotlight topics: 3
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Thu 15 Apr, 2004 7:11 am    Post subject: Hunting Swords         Reply with quote

Dear Don,

Glad you liked the pictures. Here are a few more, the first ones are all French.



 Attachment: 43.32 KB
French Hunting.JPG


 Attachment: 68.64 KB
[ Download ]

I collect swords and bayonets dated WWI back to the Bronze Age from the US and Europe and ancient swords and other weapons from Eurasia. I participate in many historical forums for the study of ancient history and weapons. I am happy to share what expertise I have. John Piscopo
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Timothy Gulics




Location: NJ, US
Joined: 28 Jan 2004

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 353

PostPosted: Thu 15 Apr, 2004 7:15 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

John's collection is so huge, it's scary. o.o
The sword is my companion.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger ICQ Number
Don Halter
Industry Professional



Location: Bryan, TX
Joined: 25 Mar 2004

Posts: 94

PostPosted: Thu 15 Apr, 2004 7:28 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Add #5 and 8 from top (handles on extreme left) on pic above.... Big Grin


Man, your collection is incredible! How did you come by all these? Estate sales, or just years of collecting one at a time?

Don "Krag" Halter
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address


Display posts from previous:   
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > hunting swords
Page 1 of 2 Reply to topic
Go to page 1, 2  Next All times are GMT - 8 Hours

View previous topic :: View next topic
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum






All contents © Copyright 2003-2024 myArmoury.com — All rights reserved
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Basic Low-bandwidth Version of the forum