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Post by Kilted Cossack on Apr 18, 2009 21:14:58 GMT
Gentlemen and ladies:
How does one distinguish between a hanger and a sword? So far as I can intuit, a hanger is a short sword. Is it, then, a question of length? As I have mentioned in the past, my Google-Fu is weak, and when I search for "Sword hanger" I end up with results referencing things for hanging swords from one's belt.
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Post by YlliwCir on Apr 18, 2009 21:46:26 GMT
A hanger is a type of cutlass.
It has a slightly longer blade than a standard cutlass, and has a generally straight or slightly curved edge. The guard is generally curved around the hilt. Soldiers and woodsmen preferred the Hanger. Hangers had light blades and were primarily used for self-defence. Often they had a shell guard to protect the hand. They were less rugged that an cutlass and often carried as a status symbol by gentleman and officers. That came from here about half way down the page. I make no claims to it's accuracy. 
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Apr 18, 2009 22:17:12 GMT
As my favorite kiltmaker is wont to say, "Aye, sir."
So, then, I can guess that a cutlass generally runs to 24-25", a hanger somewhat longer, and a cavalry saber a few inches longer than that? Shall we call the cutlass somewhere in the 24" range, a hanger in the 26-28", and a saber longer (i.e., 30" to 32")?
I've read on other fora that we have a tendency in modern times to attempt to accurately define terms which were used with some . . . imprecision . . . in the past, and can accept that. (We are a definitional people, and think that if we can only properly explain how a cutlass differs from a hanger which differs from a saber . . . . )
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2009 23:32:11 GMT
As far as I know, the difference between a sword and a hanger are vague. Hangers were mostly infantry swords, used from the 18th to the early 19th century (when they were mostly replaced by bayonnets). Most of the time, they had a slightly curved blade and were between 25 and 30'' long, and came with at least minimal hand protection (basket-hilt, handguard, ect).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2009 0:36:50 GMT
All hangers are swords but not all swords are hangers.  Length really has nothing to do with it when making a comparison to a cutlass or any other short saber. A hanger is simply a short sword, and IMO is pretty much the same as/similar to a cutlass or cuttoe. Swords referred to as hangers are generally short swords carried by infantry (all ranks) and sometimes naval officers. Cutlasses are generally short naval swords. Cuttoes are generally the the civilian equivalent of hangers and cutlasses, and are often also called hunting swords or hangers. There are no hard and fast "rules" really. As kiltedcossack says, it is often a matter of us modern folks wanting to have a specific label for a specific sword type. George Neumann, author of Swords and Blades of the American Revolution, categorizes swords based on their intended uses/users. I like his thinking, but it can be confusing when taken out of context. Here is a good thread from SFI that discusses terminology surrounding these sword types: www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89562&highlight=cutlass+hanger |
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Apr 19, 2009 14:16:01 GMT
Thank you, gentlemen! While my understanding remains imprecise, I am now a good bit better informed, and in your debt for helping to clarify matters.
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