Basket hilted backsword

Jim McDougall · 13th October 2010, 04:42 AM

Quote:

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 · 13th October 2010, 05:39 AM

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 · 13th October 2010, 05:51 AM

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

Ron Anderson · 13th October 2010, 06:53 AM

Hi Cathey

I do like rapiers. On this one I'm not that impressed with the hilt. The quality of it does not look great. And this I think is an indication that it may be a Victorian era piece, where the purpose of such swords was for display purposes only. The best guarantee for me that the item is truly early is in the quality of the workmanship. Copyists generally did not have the resources or motivation to provide the same level of quality in the work. The blade may be older, I don't know. The wire on the hilt certainly looks new.

I would let it go. There will be opportunities to buy a better item. Unless you're happy with a Victorian copy.

While I am not certain it is a Victorian copy, I have learned to trust cognitive dissonance (that intuitive feeling that something is not quite right). On these sorts of item, that may be the best guide in determining a good from a bad buy.

13th October 2010, 05:39 AM	#2
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	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.

13th October 2010, 05:51 AM	#3
Cathey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: adelaide south australia Posts: 284	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

13th October 2010, 06:53 AM	#4
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Cathey I do like rapiers. On this one I'm not that impressed with the hilt. The quality of it does not look great. And this I think is an indication that it may be a Victorian era piece, where the purpose of such swords was for display purposes only. The best guarantee for me that the item is truly early is in the quality of the workmanship. Copyists generally did not have the resources or motivation to provide the same level of quality in the work. The blade may be older, I don't know. The wire on the hilt certainly looks new. I would let it go. There will be opportunities to buy a better item. Unless you're happy with a Victorian copy. While I am not certain it is a Victorian copy, I have learned to trust cognitive dissonance (that intuitive feeling that something is not quite right). On these sorts of item, that may be the best guide in determining a good from a bad buy.