Basket-hilted (cage-hilt) sword for discussion

Jim McDougall · 29th July 2024, 04:08 PM

Thank you for posting this beautiful example Jerry!!! and especially for sharing the professionally presented data from your own research....much appreciated as it establishes a benchmark for continued discussion.

As noted, this type of basket hilt was used by English dragoons from about mid 18th c into the third quarter. It must be remembered of course that these hilts with crossed bar 'cages' were produced in garrison towns in Scotland and likely by various 'slippers' (those mounting blades and fashioning hilts).

As these were independently ordered by the commanding officers of various regiments, it would be expected that while the general style or pattern was followed, there were obvious variations.

In British cavalry of the 18th century, the basket hilt became favored but the backsword (single edged) blade took precedence over the double edged, and by 1740s the double edged broadsword blade was all but phased out.
While I cannot explain pragmatically the reason for this, it seems clear the blade on this example has been altered accordingly.

The blade with flutes at the forte seems aligned with the German broadsword types furnished to Scottish armorers in the 17th century. I am compelled to think this is likely a heirloom blade from an early Scottish basket hilt, likely of the ribbon (beak nose) type now believed as early as 1640s.

As shown in attached illustrations, dragoon basket hilts of this caged form appear to have been associated with 2nd troop Horse Guards (c.1750) and with Gen.Sir Charles Howard (1748-1765) in uniform of 3rd Horse Guards c. 1760.
As always, while these references suggest the period by dates of the art, it must be presumed these type hilts were in use for indefinite time before the art.

First three images: from "Scottish Swords and Dirks", John Wallace, Stackpole, Harrisburg Pa. 1970
Note #20, the ribbon hilt showing the early German blade type...Wallace Coll. (Mann, 1962) shows various makers using this phrase in variation with other marks etc. from Wirsberger c.1620 ; Hoppe 1630s to as late as 1660 in examples A508,604, 640, 645, 653, 701.

The last image from "The British Basket Hilt Cavalry Sword", A.D. Darling, "Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting" Vo. 7, #3, 1974

29th July 2024, 04:08 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,895	Thank you for posting this beautiful example Jerry!!! and especially for sharing the professionally presented data from your own research....much appreciated as it establishes a benchmark for continued discussion. As noted, this type of basket hilt was used by English dragoons from about mid 18th c into the third quarter. It must be remembered of course that these hilts with crossed bar 'cages' were produced in garrison towns in Scotland and likely by various 'slippers' (those mounting blades and fashioning hilts). As these were independently ordered by the commanding officers of various regiments, it would be expected that while the general style or pattern was followed, there were obvious variations. In British cavalry of the 18th century, the basket hilt became favored but the backsword (single edged) blade took precedence over the double edged, and by 1740s the double edged broadsword blade was all but phased out. While I cannot explain pragmatically the reason for this, it seems clear the blade on this example has been altered accordingly. The blade with flutes at the forte seems aligned with the German broadsword types furnished to Scottish armorers in the 17th century. I am compelled to think this is likely a heirloom blade from an early Scottish basket hilt, likely of the ribbon (beak nose) type now believed as early as 1640s. As shown in attached illustrations, dragoon basket hilts of this caged form appear to have been associated with 2nd troop Horse Guards (c.1750) and with Gen.Sir Charles Howard (1748-1765) in uniform of 3rd Horse Guards c. 1760. As always, while these references suggest the period by dates of the art, it must be presumed these type hilts were in use for indefinite time before the art. First three images: from "Scottish Swords and Dirks", John Wallace, Stackpole, Harrisburg Pa. 1970 Note #20, the ribbon hilt showing the early German blade type...Wallace Coll. (Mann, 1962) shows various makers using this phrase in variation with other marks etc. from Wirsberger c.1620 ; Hoppe 1630s to as late as 1660 in examples A508,604, 640, 645, 653, 701. The last image from "The British Basket Hilt Cavalry Sword", A.D. Darling, "Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting" Vo. 7, #3, 1974 Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 29th July 2024 at 04:26 PM.