This example based its design on the French AN IX Infantry hanger aka briquet. It has a cast brass hilt and a flat 23 inch long blade that is 1 1/2 inches at the ricasso. No scabbard. The blade is mottled and shows several areas of pitting the last 10 inches. But it still retains a pleasing untouched appearance. The brass ribbed grip has a mellow patina. Deeply stamped on the bow of knuckle bow is a light infantry horn, the letters "C.s" Cazadores for light infantry, rifleman or voltigeurs and "11" which is 11th Regiment. Or the light infantry company (voltigeurs) of the 11th Infantry Regiment.

This unit was formed in 1821 and then in 1833 the infantry were given names of Mexican heroes of the Revolution like "Matamoros" or "Hidalgo". In 1839 they returned to 12 numbered regiments. The Mexican infantry at the time of the Alamo wore uniforms and swords based on French Napoleonic styles while their muskets and rifles were generally of the British pattern.

Painted on the blade, but worn is "BEXHAR TX". This shows great age because where the white paint has flaked the outline of the letters persists under the surface brown patina. Bexhar was a battle fought December 5-9 in 1835. Here the Texans stormed and captured the town. This is a wonderful relic of the Texas-Mexican War of 1835-36 and Mexican military weapons are very rare from both that conflict and the war with the US in 1846-48. Price reflects the rarity of the hanger itself as no further provenance is extant; it was however in a highly accredited sword collection for over 35 years. [PE] [ph:L]

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