Scottish basket hilt elements

[Jim McDougall]

The Scottish basket hilt form has a fascinating history and has remained one of the most arcane areas in the study of arms, with probably more questions than answers still at hand. While over many years Ive learned a lot, but have barely scratched the surface, and hope that discussing here that will bring members and readers together in compiling material, observations and ideas to advance our knowledge base on this intriguing topic.

I would open with a basket hilt which I acquired many years ago, and came out of an obscure estate sale where it had been static for apparently many years.
As it was examined hands on by important figures in arms study who noted it was virtually 'untouched' overall, it might provide important insights into the early dynamics of these swords.

The example appears to be a hilt construction of third quarter 17th century and is of what is known as a 'Glasgow' hilt, by the shields with piercings, often hearts or other shapes. The pommel of low cone style (Mazansky, IVa ,A15) which seems to align with hilts by John Allen (op.cit Mazansky, p.89). These resemble earlier low cone pommels seen on earlier 'ribbon' or 'beaknose' hilts thought to be third quarter 17th, but now deemed even earlier in many cases.

This hilt has the added feature of an extended quillon or wristguard (known as a 'backward' in period) which came around near close of 17th century, wide often terminating in a scroll. This feature (per Whitelaw, 1934, p.303) was for protection from the sawing cut to the wrist often used by Highlanders to an opponents attack (as noted in 'use of the broadsword', Nowrich, 1746).

While I cannot tell if this is original to the hilt, or added at later time, its presence suggests the terminus post quem of the hilt in its state as latter 17th c. Whatever the case it is likely within the period of Jacobite uprisings beginning in 1689 and ending nominally with the tragedy at Culloden (1746).

The blade is of interest as these were invariably imported and mostly of course from Germany (Solingen), as is this one which has the mark associated with the early Wirsberg family. This is typically held to represent a hunters horn or bugle as was used by the senior Wirsberg in late 16th into early 17th,as typically noted in compendiums (Gyngell, Lenciewicz) however Wendelin Boeheim ("Handbuch der Waffenkunde" Leipzig, 1890. p.654) refers to this differently. He claims it is 'dashalberd (sic) which means 'the half wheel'. Regardless, the mark on the blade suggests it is from early in the 17th c.1620-30.

While most blades circulating in Scotland seem to be from the 17th century with most of the swords in use, into the 18th c. it does seem that they were occasionally remounted, especially of course in the case of damaged examples. It would seem likely this blade reached its current incarnation in any number of such scenarios.

What is of most interest is the obviously spurious attempt at adding the highly regarded name 'SEBASTIAN', which while German in character, was the name of one of the most highly esteemed Toledo swordsmiths of the late 16th century. ...in full SEBASTIAN HERNANDEZ.

",,,the Scot was a military anachronism. His tactics continued to center upon swordplay centuries after its role on the battlefield had been considered secondary or even obsolete by the rest of Europe. Frequently a family heirloom-often in its SECOND or THIRD hilting-the Highlanders sword was far more than just a weapon. The great symbolic value of these arms was not lost upon the Duke of Cumberland. A bounty was paid from the Royal Purse of one shilling for every broadsword picked up from the battlefield".
" Scottish Swords from the Battlefield at Culloden"
Lord Archibald Campbell, 1894 p.13

This value is best realized when it is known that of the several thousand Highlanders among Jacobite forces at Culloden, only 190 swords were recovered from the field after the battle. While these seems astounding, I personally believe that this was because the clansmen were often closely related, and they would not have these sacred family arms fall into enemy hands, so were taken from the field as they left.

This was good as of those 190 swords, 150 deemed scrap and the blades fabricated into a fence in the "Twykenham travesty' , one of the many disgraceful acts of these times.

The Scottish bards often referred in song to the 'lannen Spaineach' blades, and the blades, much as the ubiquitous ANDREA FERARA examples, were believed to have imbued magic potency, contrary to the popularly held notion of 'quality' . While metaphysical properties are avoided in most scholarly works, it is important to recognize the actual contemporary beliefs that prompted the perceptions held toward the weapons of the time.

The inscription on this blade is a crudely carved version of the name SEBASTIAN, which though seemingly German, appears to be toward the esteemed 16th c. Toledo maker SEBASTIAN HERNANDEZ. The court in Toledo had moved to Madrid in 1561, and German makers by mid 17th century had been capitalizing on the waning industry there.

The use of Toledo makers names, marks, phrases and conventions were placed upon German blades, often it seems not for deception (as they often still placed their own marks as well) but for the magical properties associated with these Toledo products. There are numerous variations of the Sebastian Hernandez name applied by various German makers of the time, so the name as a whole was not necessarily required.

In this case, the SEBASTIAN name though crudely applied, seeming not intended to purport to be an actual blade by the maestro, still, in Highland perception, carried the necessary imbuement so valued by the owner as this heirloom blade was once again mounted to defend the honor of the clan and warrior.,