Scottish basket hilt elements

[Jim McDougall]

While the title Scottish 'basket hilt' suggest hilt only, of course we refer to the sword entirely.

Noting the magical or inherent character of the blades as pertains to those on the imported blades typically used (only several instances of blades actually made in Scotland exist, despite the "Highlander' movie) was a key element, a few notes must be made.

The name Andrea Ferara has long been a matter of contention, whether this was an actual person, or simply an eponym denoting high quality to a blade, much in the manner of 'Eisenhauer' on many later German blades.

While the name 'Andrea' suggests the patron saint of Scotland, St. Andrew, and Ferara of course in Latin means iron (ferrous) thus 'true steel (iron). ....it is known that there was actually an Italian bladesmith by this name in Belluno in the late 16th c. He and his brother Donato worked together though at the forge of another maker.
While negotiating contracts for blades with Scottish clients, it seems that perhaps the conveniently inferred name rang true with the Scots and became in demand. While the actual outcome of this apocryphal story is unclear, it seems that Solingen, innovative as ever, played on this in the blades they began supplying the Scots with. There was even the myth expanded to say that Andrea Ferara was for a time in Spain, adding to the inherent Spanish dimension toward magical properties etc....even carried further to having him actually set up shop in Scotland, both entirely unproven and unlikely.