English Shell Guard Hanger

[kilgarvan]

Recently picked this up. It's a circa 1750 English Shell Guard Infantry hanger. Of the type used by both American and British units from the French and Indian war as well as the American Revolution. Had it looked at by Chris Fox who is the curator of collections at Fort Ticonderoga. The hanger is also marked with GR showing military use. If used by an American, it would have first seen service in the British Army under King George II.

[Will]

That's wonderful hanger!

 

Whenever I see a piece like that the words "If only this could talk" come immediately to mind.

 

Thanks for posting it!!

[swmdo]

Beautiful sword man that is awesome. Is that photo with the flag at Lake George?

[Terry K.]

Very nice piece! As usual with these older swords no scabbard. Nicely marked.

[kilgarvan]

Thanks lads.

 

I was excited to find this sword, and even more excited to have authenticated by Chris Fox at Fort Ticonderoga.

 

Yeah, I don't have a scabbard to go with it. The scabbards would have been leather and most have not survived. I wanted to find a sword that would hold the possibility of service in both the American Revolution and the French and Indian War as well.

 

I'm an experienced reenactor of the French & Indian War and American Revolution. I have only recently started a modest collection of more recent militaria. Found this forum and have been very pleased with it so far. Learned a lot that I can use in my teaching (I'm a high school teacher and military historian)

 

Anyway, my avitar picture was taken wearing a 5th NY Regimental uniform holding our regimental flag at Redoubt 7, Constitution Island, Fortress West Point. Redoubt 7 sits atop a cliff overlooking the Hudson River here in New York. It was part of a series of forts and redoubts that made up West Point during the American Revolution. It is extremely well preserved site because it is on United States Military Academy property and is colsed to the public and not easily accessable. I thought it was a neat picture, thanks for asking.

 

 

[kilgarvan]

Some links for those interested regarding redoubt 7. First is a great report on West Point in PDF.

 

http://www.usma.edu/gene/siteassets/sitepages/publications/the%20military%20geography%20of%20fortress%20west%20point%202001.pdf

 

http://www.unc.edu/~chaos1/redoubt7.html

 

Although wikipedia.....great picture of the cliff I'm standing on in the picture

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Revolutionary_War_Ruins,_Constitution_Island,_West_Point,_NY.JPG

[m1ashooter]

All I can say is Oh My. Its a wonderful piece of history.

[doyler]

OUTSTANDING !!!

Congrats for adding it to your collection(and thanks for posting.)

[belizechopper]

I have some of this type and they are simple yet elegant. Unfortunately I know little about them except time frame and used by colonial and British troops.

[sundance]

A real beauty. I hope I come across one someday ( and can afford it).

[dunmore1774]

Very nice. I like these types that would have seen combat, unlike the fancy smallswords for dress.

[kilgarvan]

Thanks gentlemen.