The French naval hanger sits within a practical tradition of short, sturdy sidearms carried aboard warships from the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries. Its brass shell guard and curved blade mark it as a weapon built for confined combat at sea, where a cut delivered at close quarters mattered more than perfect fencing form. Although overshadowed by grander cavalry sabres or the long infantry briquet, the naval hanger earned its place through reliability, simple manufacture and a design that matched the cramped realities of shipboard fighting.
Specification
General Characteristics
| Feature | Typical Detail |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 55 to 65 cm |
| Blade curvature | Light to moderate curve for efficient cuts |
| Guard | Brass shell guard, often plain, sometimes ribbed |
| Hilt | Brass knuckle bow, grip usually wood with leather or simple ribbing |
| Weight | Around 700 to 900 g |
| Balance | Forward weighted for stronger cuts |
| Scabbard | Leather with brass fittings or full brass on later naval models |
Key Functional Points
- Built for cutting in confined spaces.
- Brass components resisted corrosion at sea.
- Shorter length reduced snagging on rigging and bulkheads.
History and Evolution
Naval hangers appeared across Europe during the seventeenth century as boarding weapons that required little training to use effectively. The French variant adopted the brass shell guard early, combining a sturdy hand protector with a compact profile that avoided catching on ropes or fittings.
By the eighteenth century, the French navy supplied standardised models, many resembling shortened sabres with simple hilts. The Revolution and Napoleonic period brought wider distribution, with huge numbers issued to sailors, gunners and marines. Industrial improvements in the nineteenth century refined the fit and finish, though the basic concept stayed much the same.
The introduction of reliable firearms and changing naval tactics reduced the role of edged weapons, yet hangers remained aboard ships well into the mid nineteenth century as general tools, signalling arms and emergency fighting weapons.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Ideal for close combat where reach mattered less than speed.
- Brass shell guard offered strong hand protection.
- Resistant to saltwater corrosion due to brass components.
- Simple manufacture allowed widespread issue.
Disadvantages
- Limited reach compared with infantry sabres and cutlasses.
- Less refined grip ergonomics than later naval cutlasses.
- Weight distribution could feel heavy for inexperienced users.
- Design variation between batches sometimes affected balance.
Comparison with Similar Weapons
French Naval Hanger vs Naval Cutlass
| Feature | French Naval Hanger | Later French or British Cutlass |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Boarding and close combat | Boarding, deck defence, general tool |
| Blade length | Short to mid length | Usually slightly longer |
| Guard | Brass shell | Steel bowl guard, stronger overall |
| Handling | Lighter, more agile | Heavier but more robust |
| Era | Seventeenth to early nineteenth century | Nineteenth to twentieth century |
French Naval Hanger vs Infantry Briquet
| Feature | Naval Hanger | Infantry Briquet |
|---|---|---|
| Intended environment | Shipboard | Land infantry |
| Guard type | Brass shell | Simple brass grip without shell |
| Blade shape | More curved | Mostly straight or slightly curved |
| Durability at sea | High due to brass fittings | Acceptable but not designed for maritime use |
The naval hanger sits neatly between these weapons. It has the agility of the briquet and some of the defensive qualities later seen in naval cutlasses.
Legacy
The French naval hanger represents the working side of naval warfare. It rarely appears in grand portraits, yet it was carried by thousands of sailors during periods of intense maritime conflict. Its brass guard and curved blade became a visual shorthand for France’s maritime expansion, privateering culture and the practical demands of service at sea.
Today collectors value these swords not only for their aesthetics but also for what they reveal about everyday life aboard French ships. Their survival owes much to the durability of brass hilts and the robustness of the blades.
Where to See Them
- Musée National de la Marine, Paris, Toulon and Brest collections.
- Musée de l’Armée, Paris.
- The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, which holds comparative European naval hangers.
- Various regional French maritime museums that feature eighteenth and nineteenth century naval equipment.
Collectors Guide and Auction Prices
What Collectors Look For
- Intact brass shell guard with minimal dents.
- Crisp blade profile with visible curvature.
- Original grip covering.
- Matching scabbard with correct brass fittings.
- Provenance linking the weapon to a particular ship or campaign.
Market Values
| Condition | Typical Auction Price Range |
|---|---|
| Very good with original scabbard | £600 to £1,000 |
| Good condition, minor wear | £350 to £600 |
| Fair, missing scabbard or with guard damage | £150 to £300 |
| Rare early models or documented naval service | £1,000+ depending on provenance |
Buying Tips
- Examine the guard carefully for repairs.
- Look for later polishing that may blur maker or arsenal marks.
- Corrosion on blades is common but deep pitting reduces value significantly.
- Authentic examples have a practical feel rather than ornate decoration.
The French naval hanger with its brass shell guard stands as one of the most honest weapons of the early modern sea. Built for function rather than ceremony, it reflects a world of boarding actions, deck defence and shipboard pragmatism. Its surviving examples remain accessible to collectors and offer a direct connection to sailors who trusted such blades in the most confined and unpredictable of environments.
