SWORDS WERE VERY PRESENT in N.AMERICAN FUR TRADE ! #2b

[Puffer]

Civilian Types  (incl/ both issued & private purchase)

It seems (??) that the majority of the Long swords where Military types { 2 exceptions may be the English basket hilted broad swords & Masonic Knights Swords (this type was on Rendezvous trade inventory.)

Short swords -Are called by many names, but the term Hanger is the general ID, they all fall under.

hunter hangers/swords  (many style hilts & blades {15" - 26"})
Cuttoe/town swords
French briquette
Gladius style

[rollingb]

Partial list of Invoice of Sundry Merchandise from the Rocky Mountain Outfit 1836

1   dz   martingales
3   Cards   Spurs
12   dz   Chinese Combs Boxes
6   "   Crambo "
4   "   Ivory "
12       dragon Swords
4   pairs   Pistols Iron
2       Am Rifle
7       "
8       Hawkin "
84       N. W. Guns
3 1/6   dz   Small Am Axes
150       Half Axes
50       Round Head Tomahawks
10       American Felling Axes

....., anyone have any idea what the "dragon swords" looked like?

[Oldetexian]

Partial list of Invoice of Sundry Merchandise from the Rocky Mountain Outfit 1836

1   dz   martingales
3   Cards   Spurs
12   dz   Chinese Combs Boxes
6   "   Crambo "
4   "   Ivory "
12       dragon Swords
4   pairs   Pistols Iron
2       Am Rifle
7       "
8       Hawkin "
84       N. W. Guns
3 1/6   dz   Small Am Axes
150       Half Axes
50       Round Head Tomahawks
10       American Felling Axes

....., anyone have any idea what the "dragon swords" looked like?

Don't rightly know what dragon swords looked like...hell's bells...I didn't even realize that dragons were still a problem in the Rockies at that time...   must have been some serious blades...

[Oldetexian]

Civilian Types  (incl/ both issued & private purchase)

It seems (??) that the majority of the Long swords where Military types { 2 exceptions may be the English basket hilted broad swords & Masonic Knights Swords (this type was on Rendezvous trade inventory.)

Short swords -Are called by many names, but the term Hanger is the general ID, they all fall under.

hunter hangers/swords  (many style hilts & blades {15" - 26"})
Cuttoe/town swords
French briquette
Gladius style

A couple of questions:

You mention English Basket Hilt Swords... are these the Scottish Claymores, like those used by the Scots Regiments here in F&I period?
And secondly, what about Scottish Dirks? My repro has a blade length of 13.5 inches. Any mention of dirks in your research?

Again, thanks for all the detailed info. I am enjoying every post, Puffer...

[Puffer]

Most "think" that the reference most likely is a spelling error ?  Writer may have meant "DRAGOON"

Dragoon units were frequent in the Military  (both as light & heavy Cav. )
The swords may have Amer, Brit, Scots, Spanish, etc  The swords were readily avail on the military surplus market.

[rollingb]

Dragoon (=Dragon) swords,.... that makes sense, thanks. 

Them fellas must'a spelt sum'a thar words like I do. 

[Puffer]

Civilian Types  (incl/ both issued & private purchase)

It seems (??) that the majority of the Long swords where Military types { 2 exceptions may be the English basket hilted broad swords & Masonic Knights Swords (this type was on Rendezvous trade inventory.)

Short swords -Are called by many names, but the term Hanger is the general ID, they all fall under.

hunter hangers/swords  (many style hilts & blades {15" - 26"})
Cuttoe/town swords
French briquette
Gladius style

A couple of questions:

You mention English Basket Hilt Swords... are these the Scottish Claymores, like those used by the Scots Regiments here in F&I period?
And secondly, what about Scottish Dirks? My repro has a blade length of 13.5 inches. Any mention of dirks in your research?

Again, thanks for all the detailed info. I am enjoying every post, Puffer...

Oldetexian --
Please, I mean NO offence, BUT  IMO = A Claymore is NOT a SCOTTISH  Basket Hilt. It is a large two-handed sword historically used by the Scottish highlanders. {used at least from the 15th up to the 17th century}  - Most likely the actual Claymore style would not be there (at least not in any "organized unit")

the Scottish basket hilted broadsword, commonly known as claidheamh beag or claybeg meaning "small sword" in Scottish Gaelic.
The Scots  in the F&I wars would most likely use an English pattern basket hilt (as opposed to the later Highland pattern)

As to "Dirks", I actually do not know, but if they were Scots IMHO they would be "packing them"

[Oldetexian]

Hey Puffer,

No offense taken ...   but...in my research I have found that what is typically called a Claymore is actually a Great Sword. and that the Basket Hilt Swords were actually called Claymores. I could be way off base (Has happened before...lol) so feel free to straighten me out if I am.

I am interested in the Basket Hilt Swords and the Dirks because of my Scottish heritage, and have considered the possibility doing a F&I persona of a deserter/runaway from one of the 3 Highland Regiments. I most likely wouldn't still have my Claymore (Basket Hilt), but I would most probably have my Dirk.

[Einsiedler]

I have no doubt I could hurt myself really bad packing a sword.  And as useless as it might be, a nice hirschfanger or schweinfanger would really complement my Jäger! 

[Oldetexian]