UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Hunting, Forestry, and Shooting Forum BAVARIAN DOG HEAD HIRSCHFANGERS

I will present this post with a variation of 5 Bavarian type hirschangers with the dog head pommel. Usually when you hear the word Bavarian you think of the Lion Head type Hanger. The other thought is the desired one of the third Reich period with the Eickhorn trade mark. You cannot mistake the dog head type as it has the large heavy flap type hound ears. There are many boars head, hog and lion head hirschfangers but the dog head type seems to be few and far between.

The first one is a sword of type as it is 32 inches long. I bought this from Thomas Whittman and he had remarked in his advertisement of it being long and the hunt master must have shown a lot of pride to strut in the meetings with this long and awkward looking Hirschfanger. One of the great things about this piece is the skinning knife is a match and you can see it has been well used over the years. It has a initialed pommel and the clamshell has a crest that is unknown to myself.

The second hirschfanger came to me from good friend Gary Southgate at the Pittsburgh Max show this past year. I could not believe it has almost the identical Dog Head Pommel as the one I had just purchased from the Hermann Auction in German a month before.

The third piece if from the Hermann Auction with the following outline from their catalogue. �A BAVARIAN courtly hunting hanger reign of Ludwig 1 (1825 � 1848). Fluteed, etched and gilt single-edged blade, both sides bearing the crown cipher �L� between tendrils and trophies, �P.K.� Mark on one side and a pseudo-inscription on the other face. Gold-plated brass hilt decorated in relief, ebony grip plates, pommel in the shape of a dog�s head. Leather scabbard with brass fittings. Blade with patina, the gilding somewhat rubbed, Length 77.5 cm�.
The workmanship on the acorn tipped cross guard will dazzle you as well as the rest of the grip area. It has a crest on the top scabbard clasp.

The last two hirschfangers are Third Reich Eickhorn models. The last one has a older Eickhorn trade mark and is rough and well used. The last photograph is of the blade tip to show it was carried in the scabbard many times in damp weather.

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Photograph #6
Last years Pittsburgh Max Show and friend Gary.

Photograph #7

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Photograph #21.
Thank you for looking at the Dog Heads. Please feel free to add to this post as I tried to make it informative. This last photgraph is of the tip of the hirschfanger as many look at something like this and say it is from dried blood from one of the kills and that may be but I feel it is more of a water type damage from the person carrying it in all kind of weather. Do not be afraid of these used hunting daggers as they tell all kind of stories if you area collector.
Sincerely,
HUBERTUS

P.S. I am sorry about the two oversize photos. I was trying to bring out some detail
and fouled up again.

Great examples! Thanks for sharing your world class collection.

Hi Ralph,

These are really special and thanks for showing them so that we may all learn more. Like you stated not too many around.

On the first Court Hirschfanger you have kindly shown us, the clam shell because of the crown, W and O monogram, this leads me to believe this is the monogram of William, "Prince of Orange", Netherlands? If it is we have to ask which one to be sure and find their monograms to be certain, so if you know the approx date of when it was made that would of course help? My best guess would be William I (1806-1815). Probably belonged to one of his Falconer�s, circa 1815? Houston and Bill can say with some certainty when it was made.

I don't see a picture so I can't say with any certainty but on the third piece you show, I�m probably wrong on this but it doesn�t hurt to ask. I thought the Crown with L belonged to King Ludwig ll of Bavaria? I haven�t checked myself, so I�m going from memory which isn�t that great so more than likely I�m wrong.

Thanks again Ralph and hope I helped a little or stirred you in the right direction.