[Jack W. Englund]

Any info &/or comments on this Sword ??

http://www.casiberia.com/prod_Detail.aspx?id=SH2375

I do "historical research/presentations on the Fur Trade in the PNW (1800s-1850s ) An clerk or above with NWC & HBC carried swords.& they used them.

The choice of sword was left up to the person,so they varied. ( many were sabers,but "basket hilts ++ were carried.

Although, the types often are not mentioned, they are several references to "hunters,hangers & cutlass' (Cutlass' were very avail, as they were part of the "posts gen. armory,carried on the HBC ships & were a "trade item"

I am putting together a display & presentation on the arms carried by these men, ( for an up coming series of events.)

To me this would work to represent a common type carried & used. ????

Jack

[Joel Chesser]

Check out this topic:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=19009

[GG Osborne]

Jack...for what it's worth, I think a revolutionary era sword wouldn't be appropriate for the period you mention. In contemporary terms, it would mean taking a weapon 25-75 years old and reusing it for daily service. Sure this does happen, witness the 1911 auto, but there are copies of a venerable weapon not weapons used in WWI. I would think your represenhtation would be better perved from something in the 1820s of so. A N.Starr saber, an eagle-headed spadroon or saber would be better IMHO. You might check our the Military Heritage site as they have a nice selection of swords from the period. Good luck!

[Christopher Gregg]

The Rev War hanger I handled was way too blade heavy - it was thick and not too quick, considering its length. I have not handled the cutlass, but I agree it must have a bit better balance, due to the weight of the hilt.

I also have handled the Windlass rev war hanger - it has much better handling dynamics, but I think the guard is ridiculous! It looks nothing like a real 18th century hanger hilt. Check out the swords on olddominionforge.com to see replicas that are right.

If I were to wear one of these as a costume piece, I'd go for the Hanwei sword - but if I were to fight, I'd want the Windlass, and get it sharpened, of course.

[Joel Chesser]

As I recall the Hanwei is not sharpened. I wonder if sharpening the blade would improve it's handling any.
(Note: I still have not seen or handled one of these in person.)

[Jack W. Englund]

Thank you all for your input..

As I indicated , The reason I am interested in this sword, is to "fill a nitch" One problem, We who do research/presentations ,is to expose the "public" to ideas of the "actual" attire & gear the men used. ( contrary to the "mythology" )
When I do a "static" display, I try to present the Weapons/gear in a "generic way . Think what a NWC/HBC " lower rank clerk might have used. ( ie: example - Long arm = I display a generic "good quality "trade gun", the pistols are generic "brit" ( ketlands) etc.)

Up to now, I displayed what I had ( a custom "hunter", a Brit. Lt cav saber)., but I have come to the "conclusion, that these, while often carried, they cost $$ & the "common clerk" may not have had the means. As happens, the cutlass ( In one form or another) was one of the most frequently type mentioned, being used & was readily avail. Plus this genre of sword, was very adaptable ( easier to carry, could be used as a tool as well as a weapon ( as opposed. IMHO, the others for various reasons ))
I realize that "technically" (date wise) this sword is "dated. But to me it is "generic enough for the "Purpose" ????

BTW, as I mentioned, I "portray ' an upper level employee ( I have "funds') so my "load out is "high end" ( guns are " Mortimers" ( carried by David Thompson & others ) But I do "dress" in common field attire, & if I get this sword ( or another like it ) I will be carrying & using )

Jack

[GG Osborne]

Jack, another thing to consider is that the term "cutlass" might have just been generic for "cuttoe" which is loosely any kind of single edged short sword. If it were me, I'd just use a hunting sword rather than a hanger.

[Jean Thibodeau]

[Marc Bloom]

Jack, have you considered the British Naval Cutlass?

http://www.gggodwin.com/CartGenie/prod-177.htm

I'm not endorsing this sorce just suggesting an option.

[Roger Hooper]

[Jack W. Englund]

[Sa'ar Nudel]

This is a pst project I use for demonstration. As usual I try to use period blades if I have the opportunity. This cutlass is fitted with an old german cut-down blade of high quality, decorated and sharp, found as-is. Bowl/clover leaf guard is hammered steel, grip is accacia wood. The maker made a knife-like pommel and I'm not sure how historic-accurate is this. Sheath & baldric are partly made of old guitar strap found in the local fleamarket, including a huge forged iron buckle.

[Jack W. Englund]

Thanks

Jack

[Christian G. Cameron]

For the fur trade, I'd expect to see Napoleonic weapons--I'm pretty sure one of the Scottish fur traders actually says he had a French infantry sword.

I collect 18th c. edged weapons, and so far, I've never seen a repro by any maker that was as good as an original. I've handled reproduction long swords that WERE as good, so I know the capability is out there--but all the cuttoes and hangars I've handled are heavy, and all the originals I own are light as feathers with superb handling--even the British grenadier hangars, event the musician's swords.

Careful trolling of ebay ought to get a french briquette of 1800-1825 for about the price of a good repro ($500) and it'll be a much better sword.

Just FYI--I own a 1740's Grenadier officer's sword that was cut down--in period, by a very good cutler--and I have worn it in the bush, through all seasons and over thousands of miles of wooded terrain. I like ot think it was cut down for one of the Grenadier officers in the American Revolution... maybe on the Burgoyne fiasco...

nah, I'm dreaming. But it is a really interesting weapon. There's pics on the 18th c. swords thread.

[Sa'ar Nudel]

Christian, I have to agree with you. The same happens also with earlier period weapons but I think is true mostly with the mass-produced replicas and yet some of them are getting better & better. High end workshops produce very good weapons usually. Please check the works of Kyle Williard at Old Dominion Forge, whos works are stunning, but I never had the chance to handle one in person. His prices are upscaled though, not without good reason.
The cutlass I posted above weighs only 850 grams with a POB at 3", due to its historic blade and an expert maker who knew how to counterbalance a massive hilt to a relatively light blade.

[Jack W. Englund]