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Post by Wakizashi Simpson on Aug 29, 2014 2:27:31 GMT
Howdy! I am casually looking for a Scottish Basket hilt Broadsword. The few I have seen all seem to have the "rat tailed" tang. Does anyone make a version with something more substantial than that? Maybe almost a full tang? The rat tails look awfully weak to me.
Thanks
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Post by Lochinvar on Aug 29, 2014 3:00:40 GMT
Hi Glenn, I am a Scottish basket hilt enthusiast/collector myself and it has been my experience that most of the Scottish style basket hilts available on the market today are produced with a tang that has a section of threaded rod weilded onto the end of it that passes through the pommel and is secured by means of some version of a cap nut on the end of the pommel - even my Wilkinson Sword regimental basket-hilt is made in this fashion, although I do have a couple of hand-made Scottish basket hilts where the end of the tang is actually peened at the end where it passes through the pommel, but since I purchased them second-handed, I have no idea who made them although they are marked, but no one seems to recognize whose mark they bear. You can see these here: Armour Class produces some wonderful basket hilt designs if you are looking for something in a higher end price range, and then there are a number of other extremely talented sword makers like Vince Evans and E. B. Erickson who produce exquisite custom-made basket hilts for the more affluent connoisseurs; but those have always been out of my league. Their work however is top of the line. As far as $300 and under basket hilts go, those sold by Paul Chen/Hanwei are decent for the price. I have four different basket hilts made by Hanwei, the two on either end in the pic below are still in production: I just put in an order yesterday for a new reproduction basket hilt that I am currently awaiting delivery of with eager anticipation. I'll post a review of it once it is delivered. Is there a certain time period of basket hilt you are interested in? They span a fairly broad time frame starting in the late 1500s/early 1600s and evolving in style through the next several centuries, so if you are looking for a sword that would have been contemporary with a certain era, you might want to keep in mind that their design has changed over the centuries.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Aug 29, 2014 3:25:37 GMT
They aren't the prettiest baskethilts around, but These Swords from Baltimore Knife and Sword are built to take punishment, which should include a strong tang. I have the Octopus that you may see there, and it's a tough sword. They're probably blunts, but maybe you could have them sharpened.
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Post by Lochinvar on Aug 29, 2014 3:43:47 GMT
A couple of months ago on ebay I ran across someone selling a Scottish basket hilt made by or for G. Gedney Godwin, the "Sutler of Mt. Misery" who is a supplier of Revolutionary War and later period reproduction items for reenactors. The sword was similar to the government-issued basket hilts used by the Black Watch during the late 1700's. The photo on their website isn't that great, but here it is: www.gggodwin.com/prod-174.htm
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Post by Wakizashi Simpson on Aug 29, 2014 20:24:27 GMT
Thanks to all for the help! The Armour Class is "out of my class" due to the expense. Baltimore Sword has some bad reviews from customers and you can't see an example before you buy (I've asked several times). I was looking for a "battle ready" sharpened version.
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Post by JGonzalez on Aug 29, 2014 20:42:05 GMT
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Post by Lochinvar on Aug 29, 2014 23:56:07 GMT
That is the one I put in an order for a couple of days ago - still awaiting notification from MR that it has been shipped. Looking forward to seeing if it lives up to its appearance on their site.
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Post by Lochinvar on Aug 30, 2014 0:12:19 GMT
The Hanwei basket hilts come sharpened and the SH2002 broadsword with the blade marked "Andrea Ferrara" which usually retails for around $285 is the best that you will be able to find in that price range: The Windlass Elginton basket hilted backsword that I just ordered from Museum Replicas a couple of days ago can be ordered sharpened for a small additional fee, and it is a beauty based on one of the rarer styles of baskethilt dating to about 1750: I believe that this is a photo of the antique original that it replicates:
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Post by Wakizashi Simpson on Sept 6, 2014 19:52:38 GMT
Thanks! I'll go the Hanwei route. Not a big fan of Indian or Paki workmanship.
Chief
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Post by Lochinvar on Sept 7, 2014 0:57:04 GMT
I think you will definitely be pleased with the Hanwei Andrea Ferarra basket hilted broadsword. For the price it is without a doubt hands down the best quality sword of that type that you can find.
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Razor
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,883
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Post by Razor on Sept 7, 2014 2:01:02 GMT
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Post by Kasey on Sept 8, 2014 11:25:18 GMT
Even I am a collector of british military swords including highland broadsword but what I have has that rat tailed tang and seriously it looks bad when compared to without it. But I have this question if this thing affects the genuine thing of the sword because mostly I have seen them with those tails only.
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Post by Lochinvar on Sept 9, 2014 2:35:42 GMT
That was the way that Wilkinson Sword and other manufacturers made regimental basket hilt swords for use of officers in the Highland regiments through much of the 19th and 20th centuries. This is one that I have and it has a threaded rat-tail tang and screw on/off pommel nut:
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