Hanger

Austrian hanger, the hilt of the hanger consists of a brass stirrup guard leading to a straight quillon with a decorated tip. The hanger has double brass langets on each side, the langets on the reverse are plain. The langets on the obverse are made in the form of a scrolled cartouche surrounding 15th century type crossed guns, contained within a saltire (diagonal cross) above a pile of round shot, the whole surmounted by a 'Phrygian' cap, although the 'Phrygian' cap may simply be a decorative motif quite unconnected with the 'Cap of Liberty', which there would be little use for before 1790. The hanger has a lion's-head pommel and back-piece. The grip is covered with brown leather and is bound with brass wire. The steel blade is curved and flat-backed. The brown leather scabbard has two brass mounts.

The identification of this sword is based on drawings of the Austrian Infantry hanger of 1776-1777. The hanger was acquired by the National Maritime Museum with other personal effects which belonged to Captain James Samuel Watts (died 1908) see also WPN1378 and WPN1380. Captain James Samuel Watts became a Master's Assistant about 1848; he was promoted to the rank of 2nd Master in 1854; to Master in 1859; to Staff Commander in 1870; to Staff Captain in 1882; he retired as a Captain in 1890 and died in 1908. As Master's Assistant he served in the 'Dee' on the East Coast of Africa for the suppression of the slave trade and was present at the Angoxa River in 1849. He also served in the 'Antelope' for the suppression of the slave trade on the West Africa Coast. He was Master of the 'Ringdove' during the China War and Master of the 'Bombay' and is mentioned in despatches when that ship was destroyed by fire in 1864. He was Staff Commander of the Royal Yacht 'Victoria and Albert' between 1877-1882. He was also a Nautical Assessor to the Lords of Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Object Details

ID: WPN1379
Collection: Weapons
Type: Hanger
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Places: Angosha River; Eastern Africa West Africa
Events: China's War against Pirates, 1862
Vessels: Antelope (1846); Bombay (1861) Dee (1841) Ringdove 1856 (HMS) Victoria and Albert (1855)
Date made: 1775-1800
People: Watts, James Samuel; Austrian Infantry Lords of Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Blade: 660 x 30 mm
Parts: Hanger
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