Did Scottish highlanders manufacture their own weapons, or were they all imports?

[Sakalord364]

Did Highlanders actually make their own dirks, sword blades and hilts, or were they all the products of lowland craftsmen?

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Sakalord364

Did Highlanders actually make their own dirks, sword blades and hilts, or were they all the products of lowland craftsmen?

A bit different than the "Highlander' series and movies I'm afraid. Virtually all Highland and Lowland swords used imported blades, typically from Germany. You might look up ANDREA FERARA online, a commonly seen name on Scottish blades.
While dirks evolved from early British daggers, which had blades produced locally in many locations, by the late 16th century the blades of full size swords often were repurposed into dirk blades as well.

Where did you find the notion that only lowland smiths created blades?
While the Scots used foreign blades for swords, they did indeed fashion hilts (commonly termed 'basket hilts') in both Glasgow (Highland) and Stirling (lowland) as well as various other locations with 'sword slippers' (cutlers).

[Sakalord364]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

A bit different than the "Highlander' series and movies I'm afraid. Virtually all Highland and Lowland swords used imported blades, typically from Germany. You might look up ANDREA FERARA online, a commonly seen name on Scottish blades.
While dirks evolved from early British daggers, which had blades produced locally in many locations, by the late 16th century the blades of full size swords often were repurposed into dirk blades as well.

Where did you find the notion that only lowland smiths created blades?
While the Scots used foreign blades for swords, they did indeed fashion hilts (commonly termed 'basket hilts') in both Glasgow (Highland) and Stirling (lowland) as well as various other locations with 'sword slippers' (cutlers).

I read this thread about arms manufacture in Scotland years ago, and was reminded of it again recently- I haven’t any idea of how accurate it is, but it the source of my question

http://myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.36002.html

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you for adding the link to that thread, and this gives much better perspective on what information you are seeking. I think most important is to recognize that when referring to swords in Scotland naturally the first thing thought of are 'basket hilts'. The thing is that while the HILTS were made in Scotland, the BLADES were typically not.

While that is largely the case, there are believed to have been several incidental cases of blades made by Scottish artisans, possibly Allan, but not sure. This was only several blades at most if I recall. Overall, it was entirely blades from Germany, with perhaps occasional exceptions. This was why Solingen had the production of ANDREA FERARA blades, which were of course simply made there to appeal to the Scots who favored that Italian maker from the previous century, and spuriously used his name.

There are cultural differences between the Highlands and Lowlands of course, but hard to define geographically. Basically the Lowlands were more inclined to English influences as well as European, but that is not hard and fast either.

One thing to keep in mind, the Scottish basket hilt did not originate there, but was present in England earlier, in the 16thc. As the basket hilt evolved in Scotland, in earlier times they were called Irish hilts.

There are differences in the Glasgow style (Highland) which follow a traditional pattern of shields connected by saltires (arms) with piercings in the shields of certain patterns and designs. The same basic design is typical with variation in embellishments.
As always, the blades are imported, almost invariably German.

With the Stirling hilts, these are more artistically created, with the basket character but with creative designs in the structure of the hilts. Again, these are typically fitted with German blades.

One of the often overlooked factors in studying Scottish arms are the often renegade clans living in border regions between northern England and Scotland. These groups were termed 'Border Reivers' and did not necessarily identify as Scottish or English, and changed sides as required. Their allegiance was to their family groups and clans, and here were entry points for all manner of 'foreign' arms and armor, which of course could filter in all directions.

While Glasgow and Stirling became the focal points for the classification of Scottish basket hilts, there were shops throughout these regions who fashioned hilts alone.....they then mounted them with the blades acquired.
There were only the Allans and Simpsons who signed their hilts (though two or three others I cannot recall). Charles Whitelaw's book has listings of the many arms producers throughout Scotland who produced not only dirks, axes, and knives but the famed Scottish metal pistols. While no sword blades were produced, knife blades were, as were axes etc.

I hope this rambling might offer some insight into this question, which as you can see, is not easily explained. It is a fascinating field of study, which has far more exceptions than rules.

Basically, craftsmen were in both Highlands and Lowlands, NO, they did not make SWORD blades, but indeed made knives and axes as well as pistols.

To take things further, after the Jacobite rebellions 1715,1745, many Scots were absorbed into British army units, and typically simplified versions of Scottish basket hilts were made in Scotland in 'garrison towns' for the British military...still using German blades (last example).

1 Ribbon hilt (beak nose) Highland c. 1650-80s pre Glasgow form ANDREA FERARA blade
2 Glasgow form, c1700 early 17th c Solingen blade Wirsberg.
3 Glasgow form c.1715, ANDREA FERARA blade
4 Glasgow form, British cavalry, poss. Scots Greys c. 1760

Note: English swords typically used German blades through 17th century, but the Hounslow enterprise 1630s and Shotley Bridge 1680s-1700 were using German makers relocated to England for production of blades. However, while a nominal number of blades were produced, there was still a large import of German blades.

[Sakalord364]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thank you for adding the link to that thread, and this gives much better perspective on what information you are seeking. I think most important is to recognize that when referring to swords in Scotland naturally the first thing thought of are 'basket hilts'. The thing is that while the HILTS were made in Scotland, the BLADES were typically not.

While that is largely the case, there are believed to have been several incidental cases of blades made by Scottish artisans, possibly Allan, but not sure. This was only several blades at most if I recall. Overall, it was entirely blades from Germany, with perhaps occasional exceptions. This was why Solingen had the production of ANDREA FERARA blades, which were of course simply made there to appeal to the Scots who favored that Italian maker from the previous century, and spuriously used his name.

There are cultural differences between the Highlands and Lowlands of course, but hard to define geographically. Basically the Lowlands were more inclined to English influences as well as European, but that is not hard and fast either.

One thing to keep in mind, the Scottish basket hilt did not originate there, but was present in England earlier, in the 16thc. As the basket hilt evolved in Scotland, in earlier times they were called Irish hilts.

There are differences in the Glasgow style (Highland) which follow a traditional pattern of shields connected by saltires (arms) with piercings in the shields of certain patterns and designs. The same basic design is typical with variation in embellishments.
As always, the blades are imported, almost invariably German.

With the Stirling hilts, these are more artistically created, with the basket character but with creative designs in the structure of the hilts. Again, these are typically fitted with German blades.

One of the often overlooked factors in studying Scottish arms are the often renegade clans living in border regions between northern England and Scotland. These groups were termed 'Border Reivers' and did not necessarily identify as Scottish or English, and changed sides as required. Their allegiance was to their family groups and clans, and here were entry points for all manner of 'foreign' arms and armor, which of course could filter in all directions.

While Glasgow and Stirling became the focal points for the classification of Scottish basket hilts, there were shops throughout these regions who fashioned hilts alone.....they then mounted them with the blades acquired.
There were only the Allans and Simpsons who signed their hilts (though two or three others I cannot recall). Charles Whitelaw's book has listings of the many arms producers throughout Scotland who produced not only dirks, axes, and knives but the famed Scottish metal pistols. While no sword blades were produced, knife blades were, as were axes etc.

I hope this rambling might offer some insight into this question, which as you can see, is not easily explained. It is a fascinating field of study, which has far more exceptions than rules.

Basically, craftsmen were in both Highlands and Lowlands, NO, they did not make SWORD blades, but indeed made knives and axes as well as pistols.

To take things further, after the Jacobite rebellions 1715,1745, many Scots were absorbed into British army units, and typically simplified versions of Scottish basket hilts were made in Scotland in 'garrison towns' for the British military...still using German blades (last example).

1 Ribbon hilt (beak nose) Highland c. 1650-80s pre Glasgow form ANDREA FERARA blade
2 Glasgow form, c1700 early 17th c Solingen blade Wirsberg.
3 Glasgow form c.1715, ANDREA FERARA blade
4 Glasgow form, British cavalry, poss. Scots Greys c. 1760

Note: English swords typically used German blades through 17th century, but the Hounslow enterprise 1630s and Shotley Bridge 1680s-1700 were using German makers relocated to England for production of blades. However, while a nominal number of blades were produced, there was still a large import of German blades.

Thanks for the information, though I am wondering:

1- Prior to the massive upheavals of 1745, were the Scottish craftsmen who made weapons native Gaelic speakers, who made weapons for their fellow clansmen, or were these craftsmen anglicized urban shopowners who sold weapons to the clansmen?


2- Weren’t there also a great many manufacturers in England who made Scottish style weapons for the Scots in the British army?

[Jim McDougall]

I am wondering which references and resources you have consulted in your studies on Scottish history. The Scottish 'upheavals' were not just the '45' which ended at Culloden in 1746, but Jacobite uprisings which had resulted in other notable events from the 1680s through the 1715 uprising. You should know that the 'Jacobite Rebellions' and followings were not confined to Scottish Highlanders but many Lowlanders, English, Irish, French as well.

Scotland and Ireland, much of the border regions of northern England have always been Gaelic speakers. My great grandparents were Highlanders who spoke Gaelic even when they arrived in Canada and as they emigrated to the US. Naturally the craftsmen in Scotland would be Gaelic speakers, and of course their work was intended for other Scots.

The notion of anglicized 'urban' craftsmen? Scots were hardly 'anglicized' , quite the contrary, and though after the uprisings there was of course a good deal of accommodation toward dealings with the English, craftsmen as a matter of business produced weapons for Scots now serving in the British army. As I previously indicated, Glasgow and Stirling became 'garrison' towns so military supply was of course from many Scottish makers in these regions.

Keep in mind, the 'craftsmen' you refer to who were situated throughout Scotland were involved in production of numerous wares in addition to weapons and related items. It is important to understand the term 'cutler', who in fact produced edged weapons by assembling components, with the blades from other sources. Craftsmen, including jewelers and toy makers also engaged in cutlery, which by the term alone reveals also eating utensils were included.

No there were not a great many manufacturers in England producing Scottish style weapons for Scots in British regiments. As a matter of fact, the only makers of such 'Scottish style' weapons were Jeffries and Drury of London, partners, with Drury taking over later in 18th c. Jeffries began production mid18th with Scottish style hilts for infantry.

The illustration is of one of Jeffries hilts c.1750s of form used by the 42nd Highlanders (Black Watch). This example has a curved M1788 light cavalry blade probably mounted in 1790s after British infantry ceased carrying swords.

The basket hilt in my previous post (with the oval aperture) is of Glasgow form and made in Scotland for British dragoons by a craftsman likely in those Highland regions c. 1760, possibly earlier. Most such hilts were made in Scottish shops, however there are indications of some with English rather than German blades.
The next example shown has a Scottish style basket, but the blade has a fluer de lis mark, which was actually sometimes known used by English cutlers. However, it is possible the blade might be indeed French as there were Scottish forces assembling there before Culloden in 1746.

There were actually very few producers of munitions grade swords in England until towards the end of the 18th century aside from those in Hounslow and later Shotley in the 17th century. During the 1790s, it was noted there were only three blade makers , possibly 4 or 5 throughout England. With the introduction of regulation swords in England in 1796, those numbers began to expand notably.

Keep in mind that officers had their personal swords assembled by various cutlers and outfitters, so the numbers of their weapons were quite a different matter, so here there were exceptions to the rule as far as sword production.
Most of what I have noted pertains to arms for rank and file military components.

I hope all of this will be of some help. While most of what I have noted comes from many years of interest and research, naturally I am still learning myself. I always look forward to any corrections or additions from others reading here, as that is part of the learning.

BTW, in responding please dont attach my posts as quotes OK, they tend to be pretty long and a bit too much on the band width here .

All best regards
Jim

[urbanspaceman]

Hello Jim. Yes, I'm still lurking in the shadows. Hope all is well.
Reading this thread made me wonder how many Shotley Bridge Oley blades went North, considering we are just over the border. Ralph, the museum curator in Glasgow (Kelvinside) told me there were no 'identifiable' such blades but I have not been in touch and told him of the variation in the punzone. That cut down backsword dirk is certainly a prime example and my basket hilt yet another. There must be blades up there; I will have a look. ps
Perhaps you should explain that Andrea Ferrara was just a marketing tool.

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Keith!
Im glad to see you come in on this, as nobody knows these northern blades as you do. The mysterious Mr. Oley of Shotley Bridge was indeed the silent player of English sword blade manufacture well through the 18th century, long after that historic enterprise at Shotley was deemed ended.

The production of swords for British other ranks, which included the Scottish form basket hilted dragoon swords was well known with Jeffries and his partner Drury in London in the mid 18th century. While it has been unclear on the source of their blades, it seems certain these men were cutlers producing the hilts only.

As you note, Oley was producing blades which supplied the other ranks sword assemblers in this time for various hangers as seen by the well known mark of the running fox seen on numerous blades (we term it bushy tail fox, or BTF). This seems to have been sometime just prior to 1750s and continued into 1770s-80s.
It is curious that all of the blades that must have been produced at Shotley do not necessarily seem to have carried the familiar BTF, and more confounding that the blades into England that did have it, ended up with the initials SH in the body of the fox. This was of course for Samuel Harvey of Birmingham, a well known producer of regulation military swords of the mid 18th c.
Many of the blades on these swords carrying the BTF however were without the SH initials......these must have been Oley blades used by other cutlers also producing regulation swords mid 18th c.

While this seems to digress from the question regarding production of British dragoon swords of Scottish basket hilt form 'throughout England'...it does suggest that the Oley blades certainly must have GONE NORTH as well as to the southern regions in Birmingham.

The fact that these outstanding examples of the basket hilt of Glasgow form, as well as a dirk with clearly cut down Oley blade, very much suggests this was indeed the case.

The matter of few remaining examples of these blades in Scottish contexts does not preclude that they must have done so. Absence of evidence does not mean this was not the case. If there was only small volume of these blades into Scottish regions, the chances of overall survival over time would have been notably diminished.
There was always the factor of the dominance of German blades of course, which remained the key source for British and Scottish cutlers.

Which brings me to Andrea Ferara, the mysterious blade maker of Belluno in the late 16th century. For generations there have been myths about this famed Italian maker. Some have said he worked in Spain, others even insisted he had worked in Scotland.
Most of this derived from the fact that his name is ubiquitous on Scottish basket hilt blades through the 17th century into early 18th.

In reality, Andrea Ferara and his brother Donato were indeed bladesmiths in Belluno, Italy in the late 16th century. There were apparently dealings with factors in Scotland establishing contracts to supply blades in notable numbers established, but it is unclear the outcome and if that was completed.

It seems that the Scots took to the name Andrea Ferara with its literal meaning in Latin, Andrea= true, good, for St. Andrew the patron saint of Scotland....and 'ferrara' =iron/steel .
This evolved into the Scottish penchant for ANDREA FERARA on their blades.

The industrious Germans in Solingen naturally took this to create a 'brand' which would be eagerly sought in Scotland, and the rest of course is history. This practice in Solingen was the backbone of their suggest, not only in the production of quality blades, but the marketing of them to select clientele.

While obviously the volume of ANDREA FERARA blades from Solingen went into Scotland, we do know that in some degree they did go into England as there was always notable volume of their blades to cutlers there. Interestingly, here is a 'mortuary' from Hounslow c. 1642 with Andrea Ferara blade.

The blades often bore the names and punzones of highly regarded Spanish makers, and Sahagum was one highly favored in Europe, particularly in the north. As Toledo was all but defunct by the end of the 17th century, its reputation lived on in the blades produced in Solingen.

As always, I fear I have gone into lecture mode again, but it is hard to describe these matters without detail, and of course wanted to offer as much information as possible to the volume of readers.

This esoterica as we know on these topics on Shotley Bridge as well as Scottish edged weapons typically remains notably 'visited' on these pages, with little response. Just the same, it is good to write on them as this query by Sakalord has truly rekindled my interest in the basket hilts!

Thank you again Keith for coming in, and I am anxious to hear more on the Shotley fox in Scottish examples!

All the best,
Jim

[urbanspaceman]

Hey Jim. The enterprise at SB was the most complicated and obfuscated affair there ever was in the sword-blade industry's history.
Originally, the story was put about that a secret machine was arriving that could make hollow blades at a fraction of the cost. That had been talked about long before the 1687 beginning of the works, because given the high German fees, plus exclusivity, plus tariffs and restricted numbers of imports, this made it a very plausible proposition; the facade was ideal. Of course its true purpose was to arm James VII/II's loyal supporters with munition's grade battlefield weapons.
For a brief moment, between the start in 1687, and the arrival of a new governing (Williamite) syndicate in 1691, there were many blades made for the Jacobite militia, and it seems certain that included the Scotts. These blades featured the bushy tailed fox and/or the script SHOTLE BRIDG. Of course, those markings were also used on blades for the Williamite forces: John Holles, Duke of Newcastle, for example.
After 1691, blades were, ostensibly, all sent to the Tower to supply the Parliamentary forces, and also to the syndicate's much advertised warehouses in London – from there, many were subsequently sent to Glasgow to arm the Williamite supporters. Not all Scotts were Jacobites… ever. None of these blades were marked in any way, and neither were the ones the village secretly sent to Jacobites after 1691. For a time they were supplying both sides of the conflict. According to Kalmeter, the first Swedish industrial spy to observe the works, the potential output of SB was 21,000 blades per annum.
Of course they did also actually have secret machines, and they did actually produce hollow blades, as well as those munitions grade blades. Their hollow blades featured a constant width groove in the lower (wide) face and are instantly recognisable, as the Solingen handmade versions had a reducing radius that could not be produced by a machine, only by hand.
By 1715 Oley was autonomous and by around 1740 was marking his munitions grade blades with the more stylised bushy tailed fox that was often bought by Birmingham cutlers who added their names or initials to ensure the Tower paid them.
By the mid 1750s, according Swedish spy Angerstein, the production in the village was (he understood) predominantly of hollow blades for smallswords, especially Colichemardes. nb. All hollow style Colichemardes feature a machine made groove. William Kinman was a typical constant customer as can be seen by his output that mainly features the machine-made groove; but there were many others. In that respect, the original advertised function of the enterprise was fulfilled.