Scottish basket hilt elements

[Jim McDougall]

The Scottish basket hilt form has a fascinating history and has remained one of the most arcane areas in the study of arms, with probably more questions than answers still at hand. While over many years Ive learned a lot, but have barely scratched the surface, and hope that discussing here that will bring members and readers together in compiling material, observations and ideas to advance our knowledge base on this intriguing topic.

I would open with a basket hilt which I acquired many years ago, and came out of an obscure estate sale where it had been static for apparently many years.
As it was examined hands on by important figures in arms study who noted it was virtually 'untouched' overall, it might provide important insights into the early dynamics of these swords.

The example appears to be a hilt construction of third quarter 17th century and is of what is known as a 'Glasgow' hilt, by the shields with piercings, often hearts or other shapes. The pommel of low cone style (Mazansky, IVa ,A15) which seems to align with hilts by John Allen (op.cit Mazansky, p.89). These resemble earlier low cone pommels seen on earlier 'ribbon' or 'beaknose' hilts thought to be third quarter 17th, but now deemed even earlier in many cases.

This hilt has the added feature of an extended quillon or wristguard (known as a 'backward' in period) which came around near close of 17th century, wide often terminating in a scroll. This feature (per Whitelaw, 1934, p.303) was for protection from the sawing cut to the wrist often used by Highlanders to an opponents attack (as noted in 'use of the broadsword', Nowrich, 1746).

While I cannot tell if this is original to the hilt, or added at later time, its presence suggests the terminus post quem of the hilt in its state as latter 17th c. Whatever the case it is likely within the period of Jacobite uprisings beginning in 1689 and ending nominally with the tragedy at Culloden (1746).

The blade is of interest as these were invariably imported and mostly of course from Germany (Solingen), as is this one which has the mark associated with the early Wirsberg family. This is typically held to represent a hunters horn or bugle as was used by the senior Wirsberg in late 16th into early 17th,as typically noted in compendiums (Gyngell, Lenciewicz) however Wendelin Boeheim ("Handbuch der Waffenkunde" Leipzig, 1890. p.654) refers to this differently. He claims it is 'dashalberd (sic) which means 'the half wheel'. Regardless, the mark on the blade suggests it is from early in the 17th c.1620-30.

While most blades circulating in Scotland seem to be from the 17th century with most of the swords in use, into the 18th c. it does seem that they were occasionally remounted, especially of course in the case of damaged examples. It would seem likely this blade reached its current incarnation in any number of such scenarios.

What is of most interest is the obviously spurious attempt at adding the highly regarded name 'SEBASTIAN', which while German in character, was the name of one of the most highly esteemed Toledo swordsmiths of the late 16th century. ...in full SEBASTIAN HERNANDEZ.

",,,the Scot was a military anachronism. His tactics continued to center upon swordplay centuries after its role on the battlefield had been considered secondary or even obsolete by the rest of Europe. Frequently a family heirloom-often in its SECOND or THIRD hilting-the Highlanders sword was far more than just a weapon. The great symbolic value of these arms was not lost upon the Duke of Cumberland. A bounty was paid from the Royal Purse of one shilling for every broadsword picked up from the battlefield".
" Scottish Swords from the Battlefield at Culloden"
Lord Archibald Campbell, 1894 p.13

This value is best realized when it is known that of the several thousand Highlanders among Jacobite forces at Culloden, only 190 swords were recovered from the field after the battle. While these seems astounding, I personally believe that this was because the clansmen were often closely related, and they would not have these sacred family arms fall into enemy hands, so were taken from the field as they left.

This was good as of those 190 swords, 150 deemed scrap and the blades fabricated into a fence in the "Twykenham travesty' , one of the many disgraceful acts of these times.

The Scottish bards often referred in song to the 'lannen Spaineach' blades, and the blades, much as the ubiquitous ANDREA FERARA examples, were believed to have imbued magic potency, contrary to the popularly held notion of 'quality' . While metaphysical properties are avoided in most scholarly works, it is important to recognize the actual contemporary beliefs that prompted the perceptions held toward the weapons of the time.

The inscription on this blade is a crudely carved version of the name SEBASTIAN, which though seemingly German, appears to be toward the esteemed 16th c. Toledo maker SEBASTIAN HERNANDEZ. The court in Toledo had moved to Madrid in 1561, and German makers by mid 17th century had been capitalizing on the waning industry there.

The use of Toledo makers names, marks, phrases and conventions were placed upon German blades, often it seems not for deception (as they often still placed their own marks as well) but for the magical properties associated with these Toledo products. There are numerous variations of the Sebastian Hernandez name applied by various German makers of the time, so the name as a whole was not necessarily required.

In this case, the SEBASTIAN name though crudely applied, seeming not intended to purport to be an actual blade by the maestro, still, in Highland perception, carried the necessary imbuement so valued by the owner as this heirloom blade was once again mounted to defend the honor of the clan and warrior.,

[Jim McDougall]

While the title Scottish 'basket hilt' suggest hilt only, of course we refer to the sword entirely.

Noting the magical or inherent character of the blades as pertains to those on the imported blades typically used (only several instances of blades actually made in Scotland exist, despite the "Highlander' movie) was a key element, a few notes must be made.

The name Andrea Ferara has long been a matter of contention, whether this was an actual person, or simply an eponym denoting high quality to a blade, much in the manner of 'Eisenhauer' on many later German blades.

While the name 'Andrea' suggests the patron saint of Scotland, St. Andrew, and Ferara of course in Latin means iron (ferrous) thus 'true steel (iron). ....it is known that there was actually an Italian bladesmith by this name in Belluno in the late 16th c. He and his brother Donato worked together though at the forge of another maker.
While negotiating contracts for blades with Scottish clients, it seems that perhaps the conveniently inferred name rang true with the Scots and became in demand. While the actual outcome of this apocryphal story is unclear, it seems that Solingen, innovative as ever, played on this in the blades they began supplying the Scots with. There was even the myth expanded to say that Andrea Ferara was for a time in Spain, adding to the inherent Spanish dimension toward magical properties etc....even carried further to having him actually set up shop in Scotland, both entirely unproven and unlikely.

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Jim.
First lot from Kelvingrove Museum all with German made blades.
Regards,
Norman.

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Jim,
Second lot from Kelvingrove Museum, can't remember blade origins I'm afraid. Will try to get to Kelvingrove and retrieve more information as soon as I can.
Regards,
Norman.

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Jim,
My only Scottish broadsword discussed here http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...17thC+scottish
Regards,
Norman.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you Norman!! I knew I could count on ye!!!
These are so breathtaking, as are all basket hilts! It is so overwhelming seeing so many at once, though in looking at them I want to individually itemize the various features and elements to learn more on them.

I recall Dr. Mazansky when writing his book, was following the path of Nick Norman in categorizing the character of hilts by period and features. I was hoping for more historical background and perhaps developmental notes, but his work is profoundly useful in itemizing categoric forms and character of elements for discussion. His glossary of terminology and nomenclature is extremely useful.

Your example shown is amazing! and the blade fascinating as the running wolf is not widely seen on Scot blades and with ANNO etc. As noted, these are all 17th century German blades and interesting variations. I am trying to find the references noting the talismanic properties of these often familiar markings on blades. I have long believed personally that the 'running wolf' of Passau, later Solingen, was a talismanic marking placed on blades in these types of thinking.

I noticed one of the hilts was in brass. I had always thought the brass hilts came about in the Napoleonic period with the swords for officers in the Highland units. Apparently there were instances of brass hilts as early as 1721, possibly earlier, and the challenging weather up there often called for more durability in hilts, with japanning or browning common, so as with naval hilts for damp climates, brass seems understandable.
I think the only prohibition in using brass is the softness of the metal not standing up well in combative interaction.

[Norman McCormick]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thank you Norman!! I knew I could count on ye!!!
These are so breathtaking, as are all basket hilts! It is so overwhelming seeing so many at once, though in looking at them I want to individually itemize the various features and elements to learn more on them.

Hi Jim,
I will try at get to Kelvingrove within the next two or three weeks and photograph the complete swords with the relevant info as per the museum description hoping to give you a bit more to go on.
Regards,
Norman.

[Jim McDougall]

Thats great Norman!!! I very much appreciate that! Im hoping to get together some sort of collective base of info on these, as for those few of us interested the references are hard to get, and even then answers are hard to find.
best,
Jim

Your excellent example, especially with unique blade, is an unusual form of Glasgow hilt, with the S element in place of shield. While often these types of elements have had attempts to distinguish them as representing 'Stirling' or even, 'Scotland, which is far too patronizing...they are noted as simply decorative shapes.
The page is from "Culloden: The Sword and the Sorrows" , which catalogues items of the 1996 exhibition.

The second from "Scottish Swords and Dirks" John Wallace, 1970, p.24 shows an example with interesting apparently earlier form with this feature as in second half 17th c. This suggests the development of these hilts likely further back than the turn of the century and that the Glasgow style pierced shields style likely began c 1680s-90s? being well evolved by the turn of the century into early years of 18th.
The 'S' would appear to be a carry over from the earlier hilts and likely among Glasgow's regional hammermen.

[urbanspaceman]

This is all great stuff Gents. Despite living on the border I have never been exposed to much info on Scottish weapons.
Actually, here in Newcastle, there is no real source of info on any of the weaponry that must have been in abundant use considering how many castles we have within a days' ride of here; probably more per capita than anywhere else on this planet.
Consequently, in trying to establish the provenance of the hilt on my Shotley Bridge broadsword blade, I was at a complete loss.
Norman, is Ralph still at Kelvingrove? He owes me an interview and I owe him a copy of my book. I may venture up there myself before the snow starts falling again.
Well done Chaps and thank-you.

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Keith,
As far as I'm aware Ralph Moffat is still at Kelvingrove.
Regards,
Norman.

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Keith,
Glad you're in, as the northern English regions are not only a key factor in the production and development of the basket hilt, but the Border Reivers were keenly a part of the diffusion and use of these distinct swords. While the original 'CLOSE' hilts, that is developed hand guards made up of bars and plates/shields were in use in England as early as late 16th c.....it is primarily the evolution of the HIGHLAND forms we are focused on at this point.

I have added your fine example of what is regarded as the 'conventional' or 'traditional' form of Highland hilt, which is known as the GLASGOW style of hilt. It has been held (Whitelaw, 1934) that John Simpson, a Glasgow hammerman who was working 1683, becoming master in 1692, was the originator of what is now recognized as the 'Glasgow' form hilt.

These hilts with the bars holding shields forming the 'basket' became distinctively recognized by the pierced shields which had the designs with various shapes of hearts, circles and other forms in characteristic formations. There are other features which we will discuss later.

John Jr. his son was working by 1711.

There were two journeymen, JOHN ALLEN(1702) and James Allen (1706).
What is important here is that John Allen went to STIRLING by 1714, and here evolved the second form of Scottish basket hilts.

These were distinguished primarily from their notable departure from the conventional pierced plates, and into more elaborately designed elements of the basket structure. These often incorporated not only artistic designs, but many features including Jacobite symbolism.
John had two sons, Walter and John who later worked in Stirling as well.

Most notable about these men is that they developed a unique way of signing their hilts, which was how Whitelaw identified and was able to categorize these hilts basic forms.

With this, we can see that the GLASGOW form hilt must have evolved around the 1680s with John Simpson. It is notable that he and the others listed seem to have been the only slippers who signed their work (initials) aside from one or two other cases.

So with Keiths sword, the 'Glasgow' hilt seems likely mid to late 1690s possibly later into early years of 1700s.

My question/theory? is, could John Simpson Sr. have developed the guard system while he working toward his mastership in 1680s? Using the known elements from the long extant 'ribbon or beaknose' hilt with wide curving bars and the variously structured bars of earlier English forms circulating, perhaps he created the use of consistently placed shields. He then may have embellished these with the piercings which became rather a trademark style.

I would note here that the otherwise 'standard' Glasgow hilts which factor in the S shape element (as in Normans example posted earlier), seem to have been a likely variant used by other hammermen in Glasgow regions in the period from turn of century into early 18th.

Another important development here with the Glasgow hilt, as seen with Keiths example, is the notably extended 'wrist guard' (backward) which as per Whitelaw was added in latter years of 17th into early 18th. This feature was to protect the wrist from the sawing cut often used in Highland swordsmanship. This does not seem to be included in the basket hilts of Stirling and lowland forms.

Going to the blade....clearly a Shotley Bridge 'Oley' example, and from 1680-90, with the familiar bushy tail fox (BTF), it seems evident that blades from these Newcastle regions were in circulation into Scotland as well as into England. It has been of course plausibly, if not compellingly noted that the Shotley conduit was a key center for Jacobite sword supply.

I have wondered if Shotley was indeed a point of entry for the immense numbers of German blades who supplied Scottish sword slippers of these periods of Highland basket hilt development in mid 17th into 18th. It is well known that German blades mostly, and of 17th century, comprised the blades invariably mounted in these swords.

Could this been one of the entrepots for the ubiquitous ANDREA FERARA blades which appear so constantly on Highland basket hilts? We know that while the Andrea Ferara blades are forever aligned with the Scottish basket hilts, these had been coming to Great Britain much earlier in the century.
I have a 'mortuary' which is of Hounslow c. 1640 with Andrea Ferara blade. Also, here is one of the 'ribbon hilt' the forerunner of the 'traditional' form hilts in Glasgow, also with ANDREA FERARA blade. While these hilts are typically conservatively placed third quarter 17th c., more recent literature has suggested they were from earlier, perhaps 1640s, as would be supported by this comparison.

First three pics of Keiths Glasgow c. 1700 w/Shotley blade 1680s BTF
Next, the ribbon hilt mid 17th ANDREA FERARA blade..., Note the 'S' shape in hilt
Next, Mortuary, 1640 Hounslow, ANDREA FERARA blade, sorry for incomplete image, will rephoto.

[Jim McDougall]

To those reading and gratefully those joining here, I just want to point out that I am by no means with any expertise in this field of study. I am simply researching through old notes and resources and compiling this data into the 'essays' I am writing here. This is the reason for my typically loquacious posts, I am essentially learning the material as I write, and welcome any responses questioning or correcting what I have written.

The goal, as always here, is to learn together, and I hope I can at long last gain comprehension of these 'basket hilt mysteries' that have perplexed me for decades.

To those reading I ask forbearance for the lengthy posts, and my thanks to those who join in this formidable journey into these studies.

Onward!

[urbanspaceman]

Hi Jim. Thanks for your help here, I am much obliged.
The leather patch in my hilt will have been a working repair as the original linings were traditionally deerskin. I don't know how much of the basket was covered by the skin, the later Victorian complete covers may not have echoed the early ones.
Has anyone heard of the - much regarded as myth - story that the division of the pommel was not always into four and this was supposed to mean "No Quarter". Sounds Victorian to me, but you never know.
I might endeavor to persuade the Tyneside 'Powers that Be' to establish a section of our "Discovery Museum" devoted to the arms and armour of the area and get some of the 200+ swords they have archived and essentially never seen, apart from the five Shotley Bridge swords donated by Lord Gort of Hamsterly (adjacent to SB) and featured in my book.
You would not believe the hoops I had to jump through and the persistence required to gain access to them: it took me four months! The problem is that all those 200 swords are stored in the archives of our Laing Art Gallery as initially the Discovery Museum did not have adequate security to store armaments. Consequently, the people working at the gallery are Art enthusiasts; guns and swords are anathema to them and best forgotten. I can see their point but that is not why we pay them; and WE do pay them.
NB 216 swords have been catalogued with brief descriptions but I was told there are 900+ in total.
Loquacious you may be Jim, but garrulous am I.