Blankwaffen/Edged Weapons/Hirschfanger
Jägers carried small hunting
style swords known as a class by a variety of names Hirshfanger
(generally a straight blade), cuttoe (curved blade) hanger (blade
could be curved or straight). Below you can review a selection
of images of original 18th century hunting swords and hangers.
These images are from a variety of online auctions and photos of
items in personal collections. While, none of us carry
originals on the field. We do carry
reproductions of similar styles. Jägers as riflemen were not
able to mount bayonets, (rifles mounting bayonets was beginning in
our period, but VERY uncommon) so swords were their only defense against
cavalry or bayonets. At one point during the Siege of
Charleston when Lord General Cornwallis took over the siege works
from General Clinton, he took a detachment of Jägers as his
security force. They held the Rebel forces with the city
in such contempt they went out only armed with their hunting
swords. They were not fired upon.
Swords
Next Page
|