New Book coming – The Scottish Basket Hilted Sword
 

I have been corresponding with the Baron of Earlshall who has for been working on his book “the Scottish Basket Hilted Sword” since 1968. Despite the title this mammoth work will also cover British Basket Hilts and when complete should be 9 times the volume of Mazansky’s British Basket Hilted swords. The Baron has now established a Web site to keep people up to date with his progress and hopes to publish next year.

The Website is: http://www.thescottishbaskethiltedsword.co.uk/

The Scottish Basket Hilted Sword
List of Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Ch. I The Etymology of the Word Claymore (includes plates of two handed & early quillon swords).
Ch. II The 15th Century to the mid 16th Century. c.1425-1550.
Ch. III The Mid 16th Century to the End of the 16th Century. c.1550-1600.
Ch. IV The 17th Century. c.1600-1700.
Ch. V 18th Century Silver Basket Hilted Swords. c.1700-1765
Ch. VI The Glasgow School of Armourers. (Partially input - to be completed).
Ch. VII The Stirling School of Armourers.
Ch. VIII The 18th Century: Other Makers and Workshops. (Currently being input).
Ch. IX 18th Century Infantry Basket Hilted Swords of the British Army.
Ch. X 18th Century Cavalry Basket Hilted Swords of the British Army.
Ch. XI Basket Hilted Swords of the 19th Century.
Index

If you are serious about Basket Hilted swords, you must have this book. I know I have been waiting anxiously for its release and with luck it will actually be available in 2011.

Cheers Cathey

Hi Cathey,
Its really great to have you back with us!!! I've missed your postings and often wonder what new treasures you have found .

Speaking of treasures, thank you so much for the update on this book on the Scottish baskethilt. This is really good news as the last work on basket hilts was that of Mazansky, which is a wonderful reference and reflects a monumental task of typology. What I am really hoping for is material that will focus on historical aspects along with observations on symbolism imbued in the fantastic hilts. Also, hopefully there will be detail on some of the regional and chronological nuances.
I'm really looking forward to this, and I hope you'll keep us posted about release and obtaining the book with details in the swap forum section.

In the meantime, sure would like to talk more on these outstanding swords here, they make for great discussion, and your deep passion in the collecting and study of them would be great to hear about.

All the very best,
Jim