Pinch of Snuff Basket-hilt

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
Here is one in a similar vein which was sold last year. It has an interesting plaque on the blade which I would suggest was accurately described thus-:

Note: The applied 19th century gold plaque reads ‘The claymore was once the property of the Unfortunate Prince Charles and worn by him at the Battle of Culloden, after his defeat it fell into the hands of CAPt DRUMMOND of his suite who gave it to the late ROBt GRAHAM of Gartmore Esq’.

Although the information on the plaque surely cannot be correct, this sword is neither a claymore nor a pattern known at the time of the ‘45 it shows the great historical value placed on relics of this period by the early 19th century.

Regards,
Norman.

As you well note, this 'pattern' was not known in the time of the '45, and probably not around until early 1760s, most certainly not anything to do with Prince Charlie. There was a great fervor from early 19th century in England having to do with celebrating Highland heritage,tartans, antiquities etc. Sensationalizing items to purport glorified historical provenance is hardly unique (we see it constantly in hubris laden arms for sale).

Still the sword is an interesting item in its own right as an example of this type of sword which has is known but hardly seen often.

The term 'claymore' is another of the ever distorted terms in the realm of collectors jargon. It actually of course means 'great sword' and refers to the large two handers, but later became colloquially aligned with the well known basket hilt, which were not of course called that by the Scots.