Lot 542
An early 19th century Scottish Basket Hilted Broadsword
Auction: 17 August 2009 at 15:00 BST
Description
the basket formed of plates and round section bars, the side plates and knuckle plate are pierced with holes and the shields are pierced with hearts and holes. The pommel is discoid with 'pie crust' decoration and it sits in a rig riveted to the arms of the hilt. It has a spherical tang button (the pommel and ring possibly replaced). The grip is black shagreen with a double twist of silver wire in the groove, it has steel ferrules top and bottom, the basket has a full leather liner faced with red fabric and edged with blue silk. The unmarked blade is in a good state of polish and has double fullers to within a few inches of the point. The black leather scabbard has three mounts all heavily embossed with thistles, which test as silver.
Dimensions
Overall length 39 1/4" Blade 33 1/2"
Footnote
Notes: The overall appearance of the sword is similar to known examples marked 'McLeod, College Street, Edinburgh', who worked between 1813 and 1837. ['Scottish Arms Makers' by Charles E. Whitelaw P.112].
It is interesting to note that the plates display very fine engraving comparable to that found on Scottish pistols of the 18th century.