Hanger (Hunting Sword)

late 1600s

makers mark

Jaspar Bongen the Younger

(German, active late 1600s)

Culture

Hilt: Italy (?); Blade: Germany, Saxony, late 16th-17th Century

Medium

steel; gold and silver damascened hilt

Support

Damascened hilt

Measurements

Overall: 73 cm (28 3/4 in.); Blade: 57.7 cm (22 11/16 in.); Quillions: 17.5 cm (6 7/8 in.)
Weight: 660 g (1.46 lbs.)

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1629

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Location

210A Armor Court

Did You Know?

The swordsmith's mark, a crowned stag visible on the blade below the hilt, is unidentified.

Description

Damascening, the technique of hammering gold and silver wires into grooves cut to receive them, enlivens this sword's hilt. Further texture was added with wires to improve the user's grip, which allowed him to hunt with more control and accuracy. Hunting was a popular sport among the wealthy and many nobles owned tracts of forest, but peasants were prohibited from hunting on these lands.