Oval Ring in Scottish Basket hilts

Jim McDougall · 24th July 2021, 12:15 AM

In the mid 18th century, various forms of Scottish basket hilts were produced for Scots in the British army units. These were produced in the 'garrison' towns in Scotland, Glasgow, Edinburgh etc. and some in London and Birmingham.

It seems this oval aperture appeared around 1735-40, and prevailed until c.1780. The blades could range from 33" to as long as 39" and it is generally held that the aperture was for holding the reins during discharge of pistol in action or whatever was required in the moment.

This example (I will add dimensions later) has a very long blade and the hilt is in the 'Glasgow' style by the character of the designs and structure. One very similar is shown in "The British Basket Hilted Cavalry Sword" A.D.Darling, 'Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting', Vol.7, #3.

Darling believes the oval ring appeared c. 1735-40, but John Wallace ("Scottish Swords and Dirks", 1970) shows an example by Thomas Gemmill somewhat earlier possibly, also Glasgow hilt.

In Wallace (#41) another example c. 1750 has the feature and shown carried by trooper of 2nd Regiment of Horse in a painting of that date by David Morier.

There are of course many variations of British basket hilt cavalry swords of the 18th century, but these holding to Scottish styling in many cases, with others being more rudimentary.

Would welcome comments, examples as always, but just thought this characteristic unusual and wanted top share this example from c. 1750. The blade is unmarked, but probably German and backsword (SE).

Jim McDougall · 24th July 2021, 11:41 PM

The blade is indeed 39" as apparently ordered for British cavalry after 1750.
While British cavalry swords were typically with single edged blades, there were always exceptions of course.

Will M · 25th July 2021, 01:52 AM

Jim the example on the right has a pommel very similar to a Georgian cavalry sword that just sold at Tony Cribbs auction. I noticed it because I have a sister sword virtually identical but with markings and the name of Wyatt on the blade.
Your example and the Tony Cribb sword are the only other swords I have seen with the same pommel profile.

M ELEY · 25th July 2021, 03:11 AM

Hello Jim and what a great basket this is! I read in Neumann's that both infantry and cavalry baskets had broadsword blades in the earlier periods (I'm assuming mid-18th?). This lengthy blade has to be cavalry! Likewise, the oval would indeed allow for holding a rein while riding. Another point is this basket doesn't have the wrist guard, which would have been more practical on an infantry piece where two enemies might have engaged in hand-to-hand (the wrist guard having been around since the 1690's onwards to prevent the deadly Scottish practice of slicing an opponent's hand in the open basket). Cavalry baskets were used just to mow down their opponets on foot! Of note is the fact that the bars of the saltires are joined by the pommel ring as opposed to just sliding under it. I think these oval-open baskets were later, so with all the factoring, perhaps a mid-18th c. piece? This is a great sword!

Jim McDougall · 25th July 2021, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Hello Jim and what a great basket this is! I read in Neumann's that both infantry and cavalry baskets had broadsword blades in the earlier periods (I'm assuming mid-18th?). This lengthy blade has to be cavalry! Likewise, the oval would indeed allow for holding a rein while riding. Another point is this basket doesn't have the wrist guard, which would have been more practical on an infantry piece where two enemies might have engaged in hand-to-hand (the wrist guard having been around since the 1690's onwards to prevent the deadly Scottish practice of slicing an opponent's hand in the open basket). Cavalry baskets were used just to mow down their opponets on foot! Of note is the fact that the bars of the saltires are joined by the pommel ring as opposed to just sliding under it. I think these oval-open baskets were later, so with all the factoring, perhaps a mid-18th c. piece? This is a great sword!

Capn, thank you so much for your comments!! well observed as always.
There has always been a good deal of consternation over finding a pragmatic purpose for these oval rings. In most cases it remains held these were for holding the hilt and reins to free the other hand, thus obviously a feature for horsemen and British rather than definitively "Scottish' as intended for use in British mounted units.

While these may have appeared around 1730s, they do seem more prevalent in 1750s+ After 1750s the blade lengths were increased as well, to up to 39" as seen here.

Jim McDougall · 25th July 2021, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will M

Jim the example on the right has a pommel very similar to a Georgian cavalry sword that just sold at Tony Cribbs auction. I noticed it because I have a sister sword virtually identical but with markings and the name of Wyatt on the blade.
Your example and the Tony Cribb sword are the only other swords I have seen with the same pommel profile.

Will thank you very much for coming in on this, and especially for reminding me of the 'Wyatt' saber. Its amazing how long we've been discussing that most interesting sword.
Even more amazing is the case of this pommel which is 'bun' shaped with the unusually tall capstan.
It seems that these tall capstans occur on hilts c.1770s but on the pommels that I call 'olive' but Mazansky calls 'sugar loaf' (?) (XIV type).

The pommel on my basket hilt seems to align with the earlier Scottish forms except for the tall capstan. As the 'olive' pommels were beginning c. 1750s it does seem possible that the feature of the tall capstan might be in effect transitional. I had no idea the pommel would be so unusual so your observation of its apparent rarity is most interesting.

Are there images of the sword sold at Cribb?
These pommels seem atypical to both the slotted hilts and basket hilts.

Mel H · 29th July 2021, 08:19 PM

There was some discussion quite a while since among collectors regarding the oval ring, the thinking being that it was there in order for a horseman to be able to quickly pass the sword temporarily to his left hand where his fingers could safely grip it through the ring till the user needed to take it back ready to use in his right hand. I really can't remember if anyone put forward any provenance.

Jim McDougall · 29th July 2021, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel H

There was some discussion quite a while since among collectors regarding the oval ring, the thinking being that it was there in order for a horseman to be able to quickly pass the sword temporarily to his left hand where his fingers could safely grip it through the ring till the user needed to take it back ready to use in his right hand. I really can't remember if anyone put forward any provenance.

Thank you very much Mel for responding. This was one of the suggested possible purposes mentioned in some of the literature, it seems Ive seen it mentioned a couple of times. I dont think this aperture can be deemed for any specific purpose by design, but would serve well in this as well as to hold reins. As with many of these questions on certain elements found in sword design and structurally in hilts, there is often no recorded support historically, but its always good to have these things in discourse where material is compiled.
Again, thank you for this entry!!!

Battara · 30th July 2021, 12:50 AM

I've often seen people post this theory for years. Since I don't ride horses nor have a Scottish basket hilt pre-1800 (

), I have no idea.

24th July 2021, 12:15 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,767	Oval Ring in Scottish Basket hilts In the mid 18th century, various forms of Scottish basket hilts were produced for Scots in the British army units. These were produced in the 'garrison' towns in Scotland, Glasgow, Edinburgh etc. and some in London and Birmingham. It seems this oval aperture appeared around 1735-40, and prevailed until c.1780. The blades could range from 33" to as long as 39" and it is generally held that the aperture was for holding the reins during discharge of pistol in action or whatever was required in the moment. This example (I will add dimensions later) has a very long blade and the hilt is in the 'Glasgow' style by the character of the designs and structure. One very similar is shown in "The British Basket Hilted Cavalry Sword" A.D.Darling, 'Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting', Vol.7, #3. Darling believes the oval ring appeared c. 1735-40, but John Wallace ("Scottish Swords and Dirks", 1970) shows an example by Thomas Gemmill somewhat earlier possibly, also Glasgow hilt. In Wallace (#41) another example c. 1750 has the feature and shown carried by trooper of 2nd Regiment of Horse in a painting of that date by David Morier. There are of course many variations of British basket hilt cavalry swords of the 18th century, but these holding to Scottish styling in many cases, with others being more rudimentary. Would welcome comments, examples as always, but just thought this characteristic unusual and wanted top share this example from c. 1750. The blade is unmarked, but probably German and backsword (SE). Attached Images

30th July 2021, 12:50 AM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I've often seen people post this theory for years. Since I don't ride horses nor have a Scottish basket hilt pre-1800 (), I have no idea.

24th July 2021, 11:41 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,767	The blade is indeed 39" as apparently ordered for British cavalry after 1750. While British cavalry swords were typically with single edged blades, there were always exceptions of course.

25th July 2021, 01:52 AM	#3
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 390	Jim the example on the right has a pommel very similar to a Georgian cavalry sword that just sold at Tony Cribbs auction. I noticed it because I have a sister sword virtually identical but with markings and the name of Wyatt on the blade. Your example and the Tony Cribb sword are the only other swords I have seen with the same pommel profile. Attached Images

25th July 2021, 03:11 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,072	Hello Jim and what a great basket this is! I read in Neumann's that both infantry and cavalry baskets had broadsword blades in the earlier periods (I'm assuming mid-18th?). This lengthy blade has to be cavalry! Likewise, the oval would indeed allow for holding a rein while riding. Another point is this basket doesn't have the wrist guard, which would have been more practical on an infantry piece where two enemies might have engaged in hand-to-hand (the wrist guard having been around since the 1690's onwards to prevent the deadly Scottish practice of slicing an opponent's hand in the open basket). Cavalry baskets were used just to mow down their opponets on foot! Of note is the fact that the bars of the saltires are joined by the pommel ring as opposed to just sliding under it. I think these oval-open baskets were later, so with all the factoring, perhaps a mid-18th c. piece? This is a great sword!

29th July 2021, 08:19 PM	#7
Mel H Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: North East England. Posts: 107	There was some discussion quite a while since among collectors regarding the oval ring, the thinking being that it was there in order for a horseman to be able to quickly pass the sword temporarily to his left hand where his fingers could safely grip it through the ring till the user needed to take it back ready to use in his right hand. I really can't remember if anyone put forward any provenance.