17th Century Cutlass/Hanger -- myArmoury.com

Chris Goerner · Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2005 5:43 pm Post subject: 17th Century Cutlass/Hanger

After admiring it for almost 6 years now, a friend finally decided to sell this cutlass/hanger to me. He had the sword made back in 1980 based on one in Neumann's "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution". In addition to polishing a bit of rust off of it, I decided to refinish what I thought was a brown, glossy wood grip. As soon as I started sanding though, I realized the grip was bone. I finished stripping off the lacquer and let the grip soak in black leather dye for a few hours. I am well pleased with the deep charcoal grey color the grip took on.

The photos seemed to accent some of the forge marks on the hilt, making it appear cruder than it really is. The sword came complete with a nicely made scabbard and buff leather baldrick.

I was wondering if anyone knows the maker. The mark on the blade is a British style broad arrow over the letter "S".

I am well please with my new sword, but now all I can think of is where to get a nice companion dagger. Ugggh! This hobby is going to ruin me yet!

William Goodwin · Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2005 5:53 pm Post subject:

Well, well, well Chris. Very nice piece you have acquired there. The point / tip is awesome looking. Big congrats to ya'

So, next question......when do I get to see it in person? Big Grin

Bill

Chris Goerner · Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2005 5:57 pm Post subject:

Here's a scan from "Swords and Blades" of the original this sword is based on...

Allan Senefelder · Industry Professional

Chris this sword is made by Luther Sowers. He's done alot of work in arms and armour for the US Parks service up and down the East Coast at the various colonian forts that have living history guides and such. He's also wroked quite a bit with Hollywood on and off over the years. In fact I think Gordon Frey who posts quite a bit has ahd the privilege of working with him. I have a german 17th century basket hilt made by him back in 1978 and the S with arrow is one of his marks. Odds are theres an LS somewhere else on the blade and if he lined the inside of the shell gaurd with leather there may be a star stamped in it. I used to have Luthers number laying around as I called him years ago to get the history of my sword but if you can track him down maybe with an online search he can tell you about the sword as he keeps records of everything he makes.

Gordon Frye · Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2005 6:53 pm Post subject:

You beat me to it, Allan! Your right, I believe that it was made by Luther Sowers some years back. The man does absolutely magnificent work, as you can tell! His armour is a joy to behold as well.

Chris, I do have Luther's contact information if you wish to PM or email me. I'll be happy to pass it on to you... and hopefully it's still current! Your lucky, too, as I just ran into that info today in a file I almost NEVER look in! Funny how things like that work.

Anyway, all I can say is "WOW!" about that little cutlass! NICE!

Cheers,

Gordon

Joe Yurgil · Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2005 8:05 pm Post subject:

That is one cool sword you have there. I have admired that type for some time now. Maybe someday.... when i have a job.... and have <gasp> disposable income Surprised

......then ill get a nice looking sword like that. Big Grin

Im just trucking for graduation right now though. Cool

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2005 8:34 pm Post subject:

Ooooooooooo! Very nice. It has a great "colonial" look to it.

Neat.

Chris Goerner · Posted: Wed 06 Apr, 2005 2:05 am Post subject:

Allan & Gordon -- thanks for the information on the maker. I would love to see some photos of other swords he has made if you wouldn't mind posting a few.

Gordon -- I will PM you for Mr. Sowers' contact information. I would love to find out more about this piece.

Thanks again!
Chris

Henrik Bjoern Boegh · Posted: Wed 06 Apr, 2005 7:54 am Post subject:

Wow! That's a beauty! Congratulations Chris!
Love the tip! Do you have any pictures of the baldrick ass well?

Cheers,
Henrik

Steve Grisetti · Posted: Wed 06 Apr, 2005 4:22 pm Post subject:

Congratulations! This is a piece with a lot of character. Some have commented on the blade. I am particularly drawn to the shell guard.

William Goodwin · Posted: Wed 06 Apr, 2005 6:57 pm Post subject:

Chris let me have a closer look at this beaut this evening. It's even nicer in person. The shell guard, grip,pommel cap and quillons are really well done.

Thanks to Chris for bringing it to show me. Happy

Bill

Allan Senefelder · Industry Professional

Chris do a search on "continental basket hilts" and the pics I posted as well as the history of the sword should come up. It was lifted from a film set back in 1984 and got knocked around a bit till I got it in 1994(probably from the guy who stole it as it turns out after the fact) but its still a great piece of steel.

Chris Goerner · Posted: Thu 07 Apr, 2005 3:13 am Post subject:

Thanks, Allan. That, too, is one nice looking sword. For anyone interested, here is the link: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...baskethilt Allan's sword is on page 2.

Henrik -- I will try to get some decent photos of the baldrick over the next day or so and post them. Stay tuned.

-- Chris

Chris Goerner · Posted: Thu 07 Apr, 2005 4:25 pm Post subject:

Here is a photo of the baldrick. I do some leather work myself, and was very impressed with the craftsmanship. I am uncertain whether it was made by the same individual who made the sword or not.

-- Chris

Gordon Frye · Posted: Thu 07 Apr, 2005 4:33 pm Post subject:

Nice looking baldrick, also straight out of "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution"! Nice work, you are a fortunate man indeed to have scored the combination!

Cheers,

Gordon

Mikko Kuusirati · Posted: Fri 08 Apr, 2005 2:28 pm Post subject:

Interesting blade profile. Makes for a very good cutter, I'd assume? It looks like it would behave well in thrusting, too, at that - a heavy point like that would probably almost pull the rest of the sword after it, once in motion, kinda like a leaf blade (they're great thrusters once you get it in your muscle memory that they're not supposed to move like smallswords Happy

).

And is it just me or does the replica blade (longer and more slender than the original, unless I'm mistaken) have a slight mid-Eastern look to it?