Baskethilt

[M ELEY]

Beautiful piece, indeed! I've always wanted one, but still can't afford it! It is the classic Spanish broadsword with the 6-sided blade and typical marking. These blades were imported and seen on many weapons for the period, just as many German blades marked "Solingen" were seen on basket-hilts. I've also seen Spanish broadsword blades on colonial American and some early English swords.

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Jeff,
This really is a beauty!!! and it is probably mid 18th century, a good example of the Highland baskethilt. While I'm away from my resources at the moment I wanted to comment although I know we've discussed this on another thread.
It seems that German blades prevailed on most Scottish baskethilts, and it sometime early in the 17th century the very marketing savvy German blademakers began to use established Spanish marks and names on thier products. Spanish blades had gained favorable reputation for thier quality and the German smiths simply insured marketability with these markings.

The inscription on this blade is indeed referred to as 'the Spanish motto' (Aylward, 1945) although I believe it is actually in Latin, linguists please correct me if that is not the case. Some years ago in research on Spanish colonial weapons I discovered that this motto or phrase appears to have developed sometime in the early 18th century, presumably on Spanish blades. The same wording occurred later on some French swords in French of course and if I am not mistaken, it occurs only on several Italian blades, but it is without doubt a Spanish affectation.

The hilt is of 18th century form as well, and the pommel suggests mid 18th century. The beveled blade cross section and the 'motto' suggest the blade is 18th century Solingen product, with similar combinations occurring on the familiar latter 18th century Spanish dragoon or military broadsword blades.

It would be interesting to discuss this 'motto' more and find out how many trade blades might have carried it. Could anyone out there present other examples found hilted in other hilt forms, cultural spheres? It seems these trade blades often went other directions i.e. India, Africa....anyone seen a firangi or kaskara with this motto?

Best regards,
Jim

[Jeff D]

Hi Yannis,

You are correct this could be a Spanish blade as the Scots are known to revere them. The German makers were well aware of this and often "borrowed" the Spanish marks. In addition to the German and Spanish blades, French blades can be found on Scottish baskethilts. I think this is a German blade by its style as well as a detail which I have left out of the photo's. I will post it later as well as why I left it out once everyone has been able to comment.

Hi Mark,

Thank you for your comments. I think the main reason these tend to be expensive is not the usual market forces, but, the superior haggling skills of the Scots . I went 30% over my absolute maximum on this one. My 1/4 Scotch ancestry was no match for a thoroughbred.

Hi Jim,

I think you are right on with your dating of both the hilt and the blade. As I explained to Yannis I left out a detail which I think confirms this. It should also help confirm a theory I have. I will also start looking to see the sphere of these blades with this motto.

Thanks for all the comments so far.
Jeff

[Jeff D]

Ok, does this change things?

Jeff

[Rivkin]

I'm probably the most ignorant of all of you, but it looks like Solingen's sun and moon motiff to me.

[Jeff D]

Hi Rivkin,

I totally agree that it is the star and moon motif typical of Solingen. I have always thought that they were used between 1780-1830.
However what do you think of this? The description is; "Small-sword, French, c. 1750 (top), from the collection of the Duke of Northumberland; and closed-hilt broadsword, English, c. 1590 (bottom)."
Similar blade similar star and moon?

Jeff

[engar]

The inscription on this blade is indeed referred to as 'the Spanish motto' (Aylward, 1945) although I believe it is actually in Latin, linguists please correct me if that is not the case.
I´m not a linguist but there is not doubt about the language of the motto, Spanish.

Very interesting sword and motto, in "The Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima" Grand Master Leo Giron used this motto to guide the lector in situations were: "If trouble find you, and there are no other means of settling it, then be guided by the words inscribed on the sword of the famous knights of yesteryear".

Enrique.

[Rivkin]

Originally Posted by Jeff D

Hi Rivkin,

I totally agree that it is the star and moon motif typical of Solingen. I have always thought that they were used between 1780-1830.
However what do you think of this? The description is; "Small-sword, French, c. 1750 (top), from the collection of the Duke of Northumberland; and closed-hilt broadsword, English, c. 1590 (bottom)."
Similar blade similar star and moon?

Jeff

I'm not troubled by this - if french blade is made by Manufacture d'Armes Blanches d' Alsace (Klingenthal), then it's easy to explain - all ranking masters who worked at Klingenthal were initially from Solingen.

As far as I remember english attempt to revive the native sword productio also included inviting a few solingen families.