BACKGROUND: The wear of sidearms, (bayonets, daggers, swords), were addressed in dress regulations and were prescribed for wear by all ranks with the walking-out, field, service, guard, parade and reporting dress as well as the undress and formal and informal dress uniforms. What sidearm to be worn was dictated by the individuals rank and the actual form of dress. As a result a wide variety of sidearm hangers were introduced and used. This example is a nice quality, over the shoulder sword hanger generally utilized by Officers ranks.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The hanger consists of a roughly, 53 3/4" long, 1 3/4" wide, woven grey cotton/rayon blend shoulder strap with a nickel/silver plated, sliding, magnetic sheet metal length adjustment buckle and a joining clip. Both ends of the strap are machine stitched to a roughly, 5" tall, chocolate brown, "hour-glass" shaped, leather panel with a leather reinforced, nickel/silver plated, magnetic sheet metal, friction clip stitched and rivetted to the obverse. Interestingly the reverse of the "hour-glass" shaped, leather panel is in blue/grey leather. Also included is a separate, roughly, 8" tall, chocolate brown "tear drop" shaped, leather panel with a leather reinforced, nickel/silver plated, magnetic sheet metal, friction clip stitched and rivetted to the obverse. The tear-drop shaped leather panel has a vertically extended strap to the top edge which is folded back to the reverse creating a closed loop to the top which is secured in place by a natural aluminum stud and three corresponding, cut-out, stud eyelets and a sliding leather loop. The top loop secures an opened rectangular nickel/silver plated, magnetic sheet metal ring which fastens to the friction clip on the "hour glass" shaped leather panel. The strap would form a large loop that would slip over the wearer’s shoulder and could be adjusted to the appropriate length allowing the friction clip to be secured to the sword’s scabbard suspension ring. The hanger is in overall very good condition with light age and usage toning and some light surface spotting to the friction clips. None of the components have any visible manufacturer’s markings.

GRADE ***1/2                             PRICE $205.00