English 5-Bead (Ball) Hanger

The English 5-Bead Hanger

I acquired this very fine sword in the summer of 2014. This sword has always been one of my favorites due to its fine lines and unique characteristics. Commonly known as the 5-Bead (or Ball) Hilt, it is an English Hanger that I suspect was produced around 1780 -1810. However, it could have been produced as late as 1820.

Although the original sale listing noted it as a naval use blade (no doubt as to its short length), it is most likely intended for the infantry. Normally, the naval swords’ hilts are brass or bronze. In addition, naval swords normally have a band around the grip with a fouled anchor cartouche and a fouled anchor engraved on the pommel.

This example is unique in that it has a curved saber blade that has a slight falchion point, is short (which is why I suspect it was originally thought to be naval), and has a perfume vase pommel. This style of blade predates the regulation straight blade (spadroon) brought about by the British Regulations of 1812. Peterson notes that swords with blades of “a saber form” were used prior to the Regulations. The Five-Bead style of guard was created in England in the 1780s. This design was very popular, being adopted by the United States and French Governments. The reeded grip, being rounded and not rectangular, supposedly puts it before 1800 – but the obverse guard, also having 5 balls, in some circles puts the blade around 1820. Unfortunately, there are no markings that I can find on the sword; if there were, the date could be pinned down closer. Either way, this was definitely a fighting weapon and is very well made.

Norman identifies this as a Hilt Type 110 (p.193), where it is identified as originating in eastern Europe, being adopted by the British Light Cavalry around 1773. Apparently, these swords were very popular towards the end of the 18th century. Two pommels were known to be used; the cushion-top and the perfume vase. The design was normally known as the “bead pattern hilt” with the beads normally being five in number and graduated in size – smallest to largest with the largest in the center. Hilt grips were normally reeded and made of ivory, horn, bone, or ebony; the circular cross section dates the blade to before 1800. The blade is a-typical as these hilts were usually mounted on spadroon blades and not curved ones.

Here is my Research Log Journal entry (pen and ink):

I realized that I need to update my log entry...there are no measurements!