Scottish Basket-Hilted Broadsword and Scabbard, Early 18th C

Description

Showing great age, this “Stirling” style basket-hilted broadsword features iron full-basket
guard composed of round-section bars and flat plates pierced with circles and hearts in
typical Scottish fashion. Low conical pommel quartered by flutes and bearing a pommel
button. Wood grip, lacking its original wrap. Unmarked double-edged 31 1/4″ (79.4 cm)
blade of lens section with narrow fullers along each edge and unusual pattern of longitudinal
fullers on one side over the lower two thirds and short diagonal fullers on the lower half of
the other side. Black leather scabbard with iron throat and drag, with long frog button
(scabbard original to the period, but likely not made for this sword). Overall length 36 3/4″
(93.3 cm), not including scabbard. Very good condition, the metal with pitting and dark
patina. Scabbard seam open over most of its length, showing cracking, but still supple.
Similar examples in the Marischal Museum, University of Aberdeen, and illustrated in
“British Basket-hilted Swords”, by Cyril Mazansky. Very rare to find an original early 18th
Century scabbard for one of these swords. Predating the Jacobite Uprising of 1745, this
sword could well be a veteran of the decisive Battle of Culloden, the last land battle fought
on British soil.