Basket hilted backsword

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Ron,
Can you post the stats of the blade, length etc? Is the blade absolutely straight or is there a slight curve?
Regards,
Norman.

[Ron Anderson]

Hi Norman

I'll do the measurements when I get home tonight.

I think the blade is completely straight.

[Ron Anderson]

Hi Norman

Thanks for your interest.

The blade is between 97 and 98 cms. With the hilt the sword is about 114cms long.

The hilt is 15.5 cms wide from the extremities of the basket.

It is completely straight.

Regards
Ron

[Cathey]

Hi Ron

Wonderful to hear from a fellow Australian collector. This is an interesting sword and whilst I have a number of basket hilts in my collection I have never come across a pommel like this one. You might consider sending some pictures to the Baron of Earlshall who is in the process of finalising a book on Basket hilts that will become the definitive reference. His website is: www.thescottishbaskethiltedsword.co.uk/. If anyone can settle the question of English or Scottish I am certain the Baron can. Personally I would put money on it being English.

In your profile, you mention that you collect edged weapons is there a specific area of sword collecting that you specialise in?

Cheers Cathey.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Cathey

Hi Ron

Wonderful to hear from a fellow Australian collector. This is an interesting sword and whilst I have a number of basket hilts in my collection I have never come across a pommel like this one. You might consider sending some pictures to the Baron of Earlshall who is in the process of finalising a book on Basket hilts that will become the definitive reference. His website is: www.thescottishbaskethiltedsword.co.uk/. If anyone can settle the question of English or Scottish I am certain the Baron can. Personally I would put money on it being English.

In your profile, you mention that you collect edged weapons is there a specific area of sword collecting that you specialise in?

Cheers Cathey.

Hi Cathey,
I just wanted to say its good to have you posting again! Its been a while it seems so just saying hello. Also its good to hear your assessment in this being English, as I have been convinced of that as well. I have always heard the guideline that there are no Highland Scottish swords post Culloden (1746) which seems reasonable technically as weapons were of course proscribed in the Highlands.
Naturally the industrious and clever Scots certainly must have made swords covertly much as they secreted away thier treasured basket hilts, but to identify these would be the height of identificative skill.
With the formation of the Scottish regiments for the Crown and the armoury at Edinburgh, there must have been swords of course to those with associations to these cases.

I think the most heartbreaking reference is that of "Swords From the Battlefield at Culloden", where the proud blades taken from fallen Highlanders in this travesty were taken from the hilts and made into an iron fence. Here you could see the familiar Andrea Ferara, running wolf and other markings on these painted over blades.

Again, wonderful to hear from you Cathey!

All the best,
Jim

[Ron Anderson]

Hi Cathey

Thanks for your feedback.

I'm actually not Australian by birth but have been here for a good few years.

I'm originally from Johannesburg, where I collected a wide variety of edged weapons, but most notably English regulation pattern officer's swords.

However, I sold my collection about 10 years ago, on emigrating, and have only started rebuilding again in the last 2 years.

I'm now far less discriminating. I also collect clubs, armour and knives from around the world.

But my real interest is in old European swords and armour - 18th century and earlier. And antique daggers, particularly European, but also elsewhere.

I'm pretty eclectic.

[Cathey]

HI RON REX AND I ALSO HAVE A GREAT INTEREST IN EARLY SWORDS AND ARMOUR BUT THEY ARE GETTING VERY PRICEY WE PUT A POSTING ON YESTERDAY ABOUT A RAPIER TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT IT
CHEERS REX/CATHEY