Prussian M1816 Infantry Hanger / Sabre
Curved hanger blade with single narrow fuller running close to the spine and hatchet point. Cast brass heart-shaped hilt with short quillon and knucklebow, black leather washer, brass grip with diagonal grooves on one side and smooth on the other, round brass pommel. Black leather scabbard with inset brass frog hook and brass button chape. Blade 25 1/8 inches (64.2cm) in length past the washer, the sword 31 inches (78.7cm) overall.
The blade is etched at the forte on both sides with the crown and cypher of King Friedrich Wilhelm (Frederick William). Depending on when this blade was made this would be either Friedrich Wilhelm III or IV. A small floral motif is etched below. The knucklebow is stamped with a Prussian unit mark reading ‘3: No. 122.28.L.R.’. The outside of the hilt is stamped with ‘1Y.1.6.’, which may be another unit mark.
The M1816 was a near-copy of its predecessor the M1715 infantry sword. The Napoleonic Wars having finally concluded, the Prussian army chose in 1815 to adopt the French infantry saber as standard for their infantry – the Guards regiments however preferred the old Prussian model and so new stocks were produced. The blade is of the form the English called a ‘hanger’ although German sources consider it a sabre.
Sturdy and simple to produce, these swords had a long service life, remaining in use longest as a parade weapon with the Schloßgarde-Kompanie (guards of the royal palaces) until they units were disbanded with the end of the Prussian monarchy in 1918.
The blade is bright and clean with only a few tiny spots of patination and no damage to its edge. Two small spots of pitting near the etching on one side. The brass of the hilt has a light, even patina and no major dents or cracks. The leather of the scabbard has some cracking and flaking but is generally in good order, the sword sheathes and draws smoothly.