United Kingdom. An English 1751 Pattern Infantry Hanger, Surrey Militia

Slightly curved hanger blade with hatchet point, single narrow fuller close to the spine. A cast brass heart-shaped hilt with two side bars, spiral grip and round pommel. Blade measures 62.5cm in length and exhibits surface oxidization and edge nicks. The outside of the hilt is engraved with 'SURREY-M'  and B/60, most likely a rack number. The blade is stamped on both sides with a running fox within which are the initial ‘H’, likely indicating the maker Samuel Harvey, as found and fine. 

The ‘1751 Pattern’ is not an official pattern of British sword (built to specifications set by the military establishment) but a widely used type that appeared around that date, was purchased officially to some degree and issued to many regiments. In this era colonels of regiments typically controlled procurement of equipment but market availability affected their choices and some larger-scale ordering took place. The 1751 is simple and durable, its blade typical of the British ‘hanger’, and survives in some numbers today considering its age. Almost all examples are marked to a militia unit.