Although Basket-Hilt swords appeared throughout Britian from the mid-sixteenth century on, their association with the seventeenth and eighteenth century Scottish highlander has become legendary. Early highland swords almost invariably carried the double-edged "broadsword" blade but by the time of the Battle of Culloden (1746) the single-edged "backsword" was at least equal in popularity. Both the Basket-Hilt backsword and broadsword are replicated from period pieces in the collection of the Royal Armouries in England. The Basket-Hilt Broadsword (SH2002) carries a typical Glasgow-style hilt from the mid-18th century. It is likely that the blade of the original sword was made in Germany a century earlier and re-hilted as basket designs were refined. Both the SH2002 and SH2002N have wire-wrapped ray skin handles and cloth-covered leather basket liner. KEY FEATURES: Historically accurate Wire-wrapped ray skin handles Perfect for re-enactors
MEASUREMENTS: Blade length: 33 1/2" Overall length: 39 3/4" Weight: 3lb 2oz Thickness: .150