A SCOTTISH BASKET-HILT BROADSWORD 2ND QUARTER OF THE 18TH CENTURY

This Scottish basket hilted broadsword dates to Scottish Rebellion period. The hilt comprises a cage of bars interspersed by pierced and incised panels. Together, they provide excellent protection for the hand in close combat for which it was designed. The blade is an early example of the broad and narrow fullered form which was adopted for English Cavalry swords about 1780. After the Scots defeat at Culloden Moor, a general disarmament prohibited the ownership of these traditional weapons. Many were concealed in the roof thatch of Scottish cottages. It seems likely that this example survived in that way. Blade length: 34 3/8