Prussian Naval Cutlass and Victorian River Police Hanger
Posted: 16/02/17 (12:42pm)I picked up two very nice swords at auction this week. One of them is a Prussian 1840's naval cutlass; the other I believe to be a British River Police hanger. It was listed as an artillery short sword but I'm certain that it isn't. Funnily enough, the Prussian naval cutlass was listed as a ceremonial sword! Apart from crossing the line it's hard to imagine what kind of ceremonies this cutlass could have been used in. It's a heavier bladed version of the French M1833 and was only made for one purpose.
So, back to my new River Police hanger. So far I haven't been able to identify which river force it may have been issued to, and am unlikely ever to be able to as the blade and guard are not marked. Most police hangers of the early Victorian period were unmarked so this is not unusual. The Thames River police swords were however marked and had a brass hilt and guard so I can say with certainty that it isn't one of those.
There are some other smaller differences between my hanger and others of its kind. My hanger, which is complete with its scabbard, does not have a retaining catch. This probably means it dates from before the 1850's when retaining catches were added after a number of incidents in which police officers had their swords turned against them after being grabbed from the scabbard during the course of an arrest. Additionally, the three-bar guard on my hanger has been decorated with an incised floral motif at the terminal of the bars. It also has an oval, stepped pommel so differs from the unadorned guards and pommels of standard police hangers. Finally, the brass scabbard chape is of the cavalry/artillery style, not at all like the flat ended chape of a standard police scabbard. Could it be that mine was for use by an officer as opposed to a constable? I clearly have a great deal of research to do.
Once I have established what this hanger is and where it's from it will of course be offered for sale here on Bygone Blades. So too will the Prussian naval cutlass in due course.
In the mean time, here are some photos of the hanger. Feel free to contact me with any thoughts or comments on its origin and purpose.
