Basket hilted swords

E.B. Erickson · 8th May 2015, 10:51 AM

Ibrahim,
That's not a statement of mine that you mentioned a few posts up the page, but I don't remember right now who said it! I guess I'll have to head over to MyArmoury and track it down. And anyway, I'm just a collector, and would hardly consider myself a leading light of baskethilt lore.

I am, however, in total agreement with the idea that the various basket types developed independently of each other. This idea was also expressed by Jasper.
One thing that I have been doing the last week or so is developing a visual lineage of the various basket types. I'll post it when I have a rough draft that I'm happy with.

Regarding those baskets with the slotted elements, one turned up in Virginia, apparently from an early colonial site, but unfortunately the site itself and information about it is lost. See the attached photo.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 8th May 2015, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.B. Erickson

Ibrahim,
That's not a statement of mine that you mentioned a few posts up the page, but I don't remember right now who said it! I guess I'll have to head over to MyArmoury and track it down. And anyway, I'm just a collector, and would hardly consider myself a leading light of baskethilt lore.

I am, however, in total agreement with the idea that the various basket types developed independently of each other. This idea was also expressed by Jasper.
One thing that I have been doing the last week or so is developing a visual lineage of the various basket types. I'll post it when I have a rough draft that I'm happy with.

Regarding those baskets with the slotted elements, one turned up in Virginia, apparently from an early colonial site, but unfortunately the site itself and information about it is lost. See the attached photo.

Salaams E.B. Erickson, Please see http://jamesdjulia.com/item/lot-2310...irginia-44160/ where there are 3 weapons discovered of which your illustration is one. The site is an old auction site 2011 therefor the items were probably sold 4 or 5 years back....

My apologies on the quote which I only meant I had applied from the website which had mentioned your name....rather than you having been the originator of the words I showed...

Excellent news that you are working on the lineage document.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

E.B. Erickson · 9th May 2015, 03:41 AM

Ibrahim,
Yes, that old Julia auction is where I found the sword. The other two items weren't surprising to find in an American colonial context, but that Germanic/Dutch basket was! I guess it shouldn't have been too much of a surprise, because England and Europe had a lot of trade going on in the 1600s (when they weren't fighting each other!).

No need to apologize for the confusion about the quotation. Whoever said that is a much better writer than I am, and I just wanted to make sure that I didn't get the credit.

--ElJay

daggpil · 27th August 2018, 01:32 PM

Hello,

I have in my Collection a sword that is of British origin, a late relative to me brought this home from London in the mid 1960's.

Could anyone give me some information regarding the type and/or the presumed age and use?

Best regards/Ulrik Sjöberg, Sweden.

kronckew · 27th August 2018, 07:28 PM

See page one of this thread, http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11394 post no. 6.

Looks like a good modern (Mid-'60's is modern, or recent, at best just at 'vintage'.) copy of the sword there from the mid 18c.

Personally, it looks new, much too clean, no wear, or patina & the blade mark is very crisp & looks almost laser cut.

Not my best area tho, I don't know if the British Scots regiments use this pattern again; if so they'd likely have a lot of other stamp marks on it. Nice sword tho. I like it.

Will M · 28th August 2018, 04:52 PM

I agree this sword has irregularities compared to originals. The pommel looks new, the grip wire has been flattened something not seen on originals.
The slotted hilt looks cut from flat stock, rounded where cut but flat sided.
Copies of swords have been made for centuries from the Victorian era to fill castles and onwards.
There are some fine copies being made in Europe and with a bit of aging appear quite authentic if you don't know what to look for and this has become less obvious.

Battara · 28th August 2018, 06:16 PM

Oh I agree. This looks either to be a new replica or a newly minted piece. English style not Scottish.

8th May 2015, 10:51 AM	#1
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	Ibrahim, That's not a statement of mine that you mentioned a few posts up the page, but I don't remember right now who said it! I guess I'll have to head over to MyArmoury and track it down. And anyway, I'm just a collector, and would hardly consider myself a leading light of baskethilt lore. I am, however, in total agreement with the idea that the various basket types developed independently of each other. This idea was also expressed by Jasper. One thing that I have been doing the last week or so is developing a visual lineage of the various basket types. I'll post it when I have a rough draft that I'm happy with. Regarding those baskets with the slotted elements, one turned up in Virginia, apparently from an early colonial site, but unfortunately the site itself and information about it is lost. See the attached photo. Attached Images

27th August 2018, 01:32 PM	#4
daggpil Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 25	British Broadsword with basket hilt in brass Hello, I have in my Collection a sword that is of British origin, a late relative to me brought this home from London in the mid 1960's. Could anyone give me some information regarding the type and/or the presumed age and use? Best regards/Ulrik Sjöberg, Sweden. Attached Images

9th May 2015, 03:41 AM	#3
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	Ibrahim, Yes, that old Julia auction is where I found the sword. The other two items weren't surprising to find in an American colonial context, but that Germanic/Dutch basket was! I guess it shouldn't have been too much of a surprise, because England and Europe had a lot of trade going on in the 1600s (when they weren't fighting each other!). No need to apologize for the confusion about the quotation. Whoever said that is a much better writer than I am, and I just wanted to make sure that I didn't get the credit. --ElJay

27th August 2018, 07:28 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	See page one of this thread, http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11394 post no. 6. Looks like a good modern (Mid-'60's is modern, or recent, at best just at 'vintage'.) copy of the sword there from the mid 18c. Personally, it looks new, much too clean, no wear, or patina & the blade mark is very crisp & looks almost laser cut. Not my best area tho, I don't know if the British Scots regiments use this pattern again; if so they'd likely have a lot of other stamp marks on it. Nice sword tho. I like it.

28th August 2018, 04:52 PM	#6
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 394	I agree this sword has irregularities compared to originals. The pommel looks new, the grip wire has been flattened something not seen on originals. The slotted hilt looks cut from flat stock, rounded where cut but flat sided. Copies of swords have been made for centuries from the Victorian era to fill castles and onwards. There are some fine copies being made in Europe and with a bit of aging appear quite authentic if you don't know what to look for and this has become less obvious.

28th August 2018, 06:16 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Oh I agree. This looks either to be a new replica or a newly minted piece. English style not Scottish.