The 1751 pattern of British hanger sword succeeded the earlier 1742 pattern and was issued to British soldiers during the Seven Years War and to both sides during the American Revolutionary War of Independence. It was taken out of regular army service towards the close of the 18th century and then re-issued to Militia regiments and used by the East India Company.

This short sword measures approximately 31” overall and has a single-edged, slightly curved blade. It has a single narrow unstopped fuller which runs along the back edge of the blade for about four-fifths of its entire length. The blade was sharpened at some point and has a few very small nicks. The blade is marked “T. CRAVEN” (the maker) and also has an inspection stamp of a small crown atop the number “2”.  The grip and guard are cast brass and exhibit a nice dark patina. The grip is in the form of a ribbed spiral with the round pommel cap at the end. This is complete and in fine condition. This pattern of short sword has a heart-shaped guard with a knuckle bow with two additional branches. Unfortunately, this specimen has seen hard use.  The result being that the quillion that once protruded from the top of the “heart” is broken off and the knucklebow is also broken and has separated from the pommel.  About ¾” of the knucklebow is missing where it connected to the pommel cap and the outer most branch is broken where it meets the heart-shaped guard.

The maker of this was Thomas Craven who worked in Birmingham between 1798 and 1820. This type of out-dated weapon was used on merchant and naval ships during the Napoleonic War and in the early 19th Century they were exported to India. The East India Company is also known to have used the Crown Inspection mark.

A classic English military short sword rarely encountered now.   [jet]

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