Basket hilted backsword

[Jim McDougall]

This is indeed a beauty! and it is indeed English. Technically there were no such things as truly 'Scottish' baskethilts after the fateful '45 rebellion of 1745. However the British king did very much favor these attractive and well protecting basket guards and as he began raising cavalry units of dragoons comprised of Scottish men, the production of basket hilt type straight backswords increased. Technically, there are no Scottish baskethilts with the straight backsword blades either. Obviously these statements are generally made, and there may be exceptions.

The brass hilts mentioned used by British infantry actually were superceded by iron/steel hilts in about 1828, and these kinds of patterns continued through the 19th century, however this example seems either a variation or as noted, precursor to the brass hilt types. The styling, grip, and presence of turks heads on the grips seem of 18th century affectation. The blank, rather than pierced saltire plates also suggest 18th century English origin.
There was a British armoury at Edinburgh and other lowland armourers that were producing and some hilts I believe, but most were being produced in Birmingham by makers such as Drury and Jeffries, these being the more familiar pierced steel exceptions in the c.1770 infantry swords.

Extremely nice fighting example, and would like to see better photos of the blade...wondering if it corresponds to the M1796 heavy cavalry sword blade.

All best regards,
Jim