British Basket Hilt Cavalry

Jim McDougall · 19th November 2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

the late victorian scots regiments had a cruciform hilt that could be switched onto the blade in place of the basket hilt. i imagine this could cause a bit of trading & swapping about of hilts of both sorts by the troops....

Basket hilt linky

i noted the section in that reference regarding blade fullers, ie. scots blades usually had two up to the late victorian era...

Very well noted Kronckew! They did indeed have the convertible hilt feature on the Scottish swords in the 19th century. It seems like the single fuller blade was used on those swords, but need to find the reference.

All the best,
Jim

celtan · 20th November 2010, 04:16 PM

Hi Guys,

Interesting discussion!

IIRC, the 19th C cross-guard option was only used for informal, or de-ville use. It seems like switching from one guard to the other was relatively easy.

For the life of me, I can't see how they did it, unless it was some sort of screwed-pommel affair, like that in german WWII daggers. And yet, that doesn't seem to fit an actual combat sword.

The blade is not truly appealing, doesn't fel battle-ready. It's more like a modern sissified version (read ceremonial).

The basket-guard does feel like the real McCoy. Yet, the wood grip is ...unbecoming. It all says "modern" (<150yrs) military-ceremonial to me.

If switching guards is easy, that would explain the plain wood grip.

BTW: It's because of the grip that I bought/rescued the sword. Saw the original owner's teenage son banging away with it in a mock battle (D&Ds), and noticed that a small portion of the grip had already broken away.

Kids..!

To be frank, while I like the hilt very much, not so the rest of the sword. My real quarry now is a Black-Watch Basket-Hilt that was captured in 97' during a British invasion attempt to San Juan. Let's see when (and if) my hunting bears fruit..!

BTW Jim, the Baron's book is not yet published.

Salud, Oro y Fortuna!

Manuel

Jim McDougall · 20th November 2010, 09:40 PM

Hi Manolo,
Looking in Robson, that blade does indeed appear to be latter 19th century from Scottish regiment sergeants sword. Thank you for the update on the book, which I have seen mentioned by Cathey over some time, and most kind of her to attach the link. Looks like a great book, but no mention seen on the mysterious Scotts's

All the best,
Jim

celtan · 21st November 2010, 02:35 PM

Thank Cathey, Jim and Kronckew, for all your assistance.
Best regards.
Manuel Luis

20th November 2010, 04:16 PM	#2
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Hi Guys, Interesting discussion! IIRC, the 19th C cross-guard option was only used for informal, or de-ville use. It seems like switching from one guard to the other was relatively easy. For the life of me, I can't see how they did it, unless it was some sort of screwed-pommel affair, like that in german WWII daggers. And yet, that doesn't seem to fit an actual combat sword. The blade is not truly appealing, doesn't fel battle-ready. It's more like a modern sissified version (read ceremonial). The basket-guard does feel like the real McCoy. Yet, the wood grip is ...unbecoming. It all says "modern" (<150yrs) military-ceremonial to me. If switching guards is easy, that would explain the plain wood grip. BTW: It's because of the grip that I bought/rescued the sword. Saw the original owner's teenage son banging away with it in a mock battle (D&Ds), and noticed that a small portion of the grip had already broken away. Kids..! To be frank, while I like the hilt very much, not so the rest of the sword. My real quarry now is a Black-Watch Basket-Hilt that was captured in 97' during a British invasion attempt to San Juan. Let's see when (and if) my hunting bears fruit..! BTW Jim, the Baron's book is not yet published. Salud, Oro y Fortuna! Manuel Last edited by celtan; 21st November 2010 at 02:29 PM.

20th November 2010, 09:40 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,195	Hi Manolo, Looking in Robson, that blade does indeed appear to be latter 19th century from Scottish regiment sergeants sword. Thank you for the update on the book, which I have seen mentioned by Cathey over some time, and most kind of her to attach the link. Looks like a great book, but no mention seen on the mysterious Scotts's All the best, Jim

21st November 2010, 02:35 PM	#4
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Thank Cathey, Jim and Kronckew, for all your assistance. Best regards. Manuel Luis