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Nation : -
Local Price : $34995.00

Magnificent Jeweled Medici Dagger, ca. 1840. This one-of-a-kind ceremonial dagger is perhaps the most unique and exceptional piece we have ever offered. Constructed entirely of fine silver with a pierced filigree hilt of exceptional quality and detail. The obverse is studded with 4 large emeralds (approx. 17.6 total carats), 133 smaller diamonds, ranging in size from approx. 1.5mm to 3.5mm (120 original rose-cut and 13 later full-cut), and mounted with a 7.5mm pearl on the pommel. The central feature is a gold Medici Family crest, surmounted by a band of diamonds with gold border and crowned with a diamond-studded fleur de lis. The reverse is gilded and mounted with 5 cabochon-cut turquoise, 3.5mm to 5mm in diameter. One stone appears to be absent, but close examination of the setting shows it to be different than those holding the turquoise, indicating it was possibly a different gem. The solid silver 6 3/8″ blade features acanthus decoration at the forte and an inscribed name (Enrico?). Overall length 11 3/8″, weight 176.5 grams. Included is a certified gem assessment by an accredited gemological lab, though nobody has been able to offer an actual appraisal given the rarity and importance of this unique piece. Everywhere I have taken this piece I have watched jaws drop with amazement when people see it. It is an amazing piece which photos cannot begin to do justice to. The Medici’s were one of Europe’s wealthiest and most influential families from the 14th to the 18th Century. They were instrumental in igniting the Renaissance throughout Europe. Four popes were from the family. While the family had declined politically by the first half of the 18th century, this dagger is proof that their wealth and prestige continued far into the next century.

Nation : British
Local Price : £24995

Click and use the code 23537 to search for this item on the dealer website Singularly Fine and Rare Museum Quality Original Viking Jarl&#acute;s Sword Around 1100 years Old

Nation : British
Local Price : £18995

Click and use the code 22605 to search for this item on the dealer website 18th Century Silver and Enamel, Makara, Of The ´ Palace of the Nawab of Lucknow&#acute;, Damascus Bladed Sword

Nation : Spanish
Local Price : £17500

Fine North European Two Handed Sword Dating To Circa 1520. A fine, rare and well proportioned North European two handed sword (hand and a half sword). The hilt, which retains much of its original blackening to the iron parts, is an impressively chiselled example of the early 16th century armourer’s craft. The flat, downwardly curved quillons, widening towards square-ended terminals, with central rope-twist decoration in raised relief on both sides, plus the deeply grooved pommel with fluted ridges, mark this sword out as a member of a distinct and unique group of North European two-handed swords. So far as we know, only six of this type are presently identified. The broad blade is single edged with a thick spine beneath which two fullers each side extend from the hilt for 40% of its length, after which the blade is double edged and of lenticular section. Three crescent-shaped notches are applied at the end of the spine. An armourers mark of facing crescents terminating in ovals, with a further oval imbetween, flanked by trefoils of diamond shaped dots is present on one side a short distance from the hilt. The marks are most likely of a Passau smith. The hub of the cross is formed as a thick bar of rectangular section. The distinctive quillons are rounded nearest the block and expand in vertically flattened form towards their terminals and are decorated with raised diagonally grooved rope-like lines along the middles which are flanked by further incised lines. Two horizontal ring guard bars of thick round section are applied to the sides, each formed with two raised knops with similar “roped” finish. Beneath the cross, a downward facing round section bar of open crescent shape is applied. Two further crescents, also decorated with knops, are forged onto the terminals of this bar and rise at 45 degrees to attach to, and strengthen, the side rings. The pommel is of upturned pear shape and formed with eight equally spaced deep grooves which radiate from the pommel top to its base. The surfaces of the ridges imbetween are cut with narrow lines alternating in vertical, and diagonally vertical form, similar in depth and spacing as the lines which form the rope designs on the guard. The guard and the pommel retain much of the original blackened finish. The waisted stepped grip is of wood covered with leather over a cord wrap. The blade length is 41.5 inches (105.5 cm) and overall is 52 inches (132 cm) long. These large swords were not just for two-handed use. They were designed to be used equally well with one hand by a trained user. In the 16th century such swords were quite common on European battlefields, carried by armies fighting wars almost permanently during a time of shifting religious and political change. As fashions moved towards the beginning of the 17th century they went out of use and today are rare compared to the survival rates of two-handed swords of the “bearing sword” variety – large, well made, imposing and decorous, but designed mainly to be carried point up in civic procession rather than for use in combat. One fine example, almost identical to ours, is illustrated in “Records of the Medieval Sword”, Ewart Oakeshott, St Edmundsbury Press, 1991, page 241, which sold through Peter Dale Ltd of London before 1982. The same example is illustrated in “The Price Guide to Antique Edged Weapons”, Leslie Southwick, Antique Collectors Club, 1982, page 29, fig 49). Oakeshott comments that another sword in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (Inventory Number M.602-1927) and illustrated in “European Swords”, Anthony North, page 6 fig 3, has an identical hilt apart from the guard having one branch. A third example is illustrated in “Edged Weapons in Sweden”, Staffan Kinman, Stockholm, 2014, page 29, fig 26b, and is similar to the British Museum example. Oakeshott comments on another in Zurich (Schweizerisches Landesmuseum Inventory Number LM 16933). A fifth sword with similar characteristics is also illustrated in Southwick (as above) fig 48, its location unknown.

Nation : British
Local Price : £16,500.00

Very Fine & Rare Pair of Flintlock Carriage Pistols by Westley Richards. SN 8448. A Very Fine & Rare Pair of Flintlock Carriage Pistols by Westley Richards 5 &194;&190;&157; side by side 16 bore barrels with bead foresights. Tangs with acanthus engraving, bevelled flat stepped lockplates with bolted safeties, engraved ’Westley Richards’. Flat bevelled swan necked cocks, semi-waterproof pans with roller on frizzen springs. Walnut half stocks, iron trigger guards engraved with trophies of arms, with pineapple finials. Ramrod pipes en suite. Original brass tipped ramrods. Circa 1812/15. Pistols in very good condition, barrels re-browned, much original finish remaining. Flintlocks by Westley Richards are very rare. Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : British
Local Price : £14950

Click and use the code 20422 to search for this item on the dealer website Three Fabulous 19th Century Combat Swords of the Scottish Cuninghame Family, Including a Combat Cum Dress Sword of William Cuninghame, Her Majesty Queen Victoria&#acute;s Personal Bodyguard.

Nation : British
Local Price : £14,450.00

Very Fine Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by Durs Egg. SN 8449. A Very Fine Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by Durs Egg, 14 &194;&190;&157; overall, 9" slightly swamped octagonal 54 bore barrels signed D. Egg London in script, engraved with a band of beadwork at the breeches, the rear and fore sights to both pistols removed to allow reactive sighting. Stepped locks signed D. Egg in script, slender swan necked cocks ,spoon shaped pans, the frizzen springs with good traces of original colour, full stocked carved behind the lock tails with a tear drop and with slab sided butts, the plain trigger guards with acorn-shaped terminals retaining traces of original blued finish, horn fore-end caps and horn capped wooden ramrods one with worm.&194;&160;Circa 1775 A very fine early pair of duelling pistols in the manner of John Twigg who Durs Egg had worked for in 1772.&194;&160; In near mint conditionEx Wilfrid Ward collection sold Christie´s October 1993.The Catalogue notes these are the earliest known Durs Egg Duelling pistols. Durs Egg son of Leonz Egg, gunmaker, Switzerland. Born 1748, baptised Urs Christian. After a short stay in Paris, came to London and worked for John Twigg, 1772. Granted denization in 1791. Gunmaker; Sword Cutler. Became gunmaker to George IV, Duke of York. Renowned for his fine workmanship. See Weapons of Honour page 965 by Wilfrid Ward Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : British
Local Price : £13,495.00

Good Cased Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by John Bennett. SN 8712. A Good Cased Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by John Bennett. 14 1/2&157; overall, 9 1/2&157; octagonal barrels engraved ’London’, with London Proofs and barrelsmith´s mark. Engraved false breech, plain stepped bolted locks with chamfered edges signed ´Bennett´. Swan necked cocks, bridled broad pans. Walnut swelled butts, engraved iron furniture, trigger guards with large pineapple finials, horn tipped ramrods, one with worm. In its original mahogany case with Chippendale lifting handle, some accessories including bullet mould, three way flask, and turn screw. With the ´Makers by appointment to the Prince of Wales´ label in the lid.&194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160; &194;&160;&194;&160; Circa 1790 In good condition Images courtesy of West Street Antiques (https://antiquearmsandarmour.com/)

Nation : German
Local Price : $12995.00

Outstanding German Hand-and-a-half Sword, First Half 16th C. The best hand-and-a-half battle sword we have seen in years, this example features an unusual asymmetrical 38 1/8″ blade with hatchet point and broad full-length fuller, stamped on one side with a maker's mark (unidentified, but listed as “Saxon 16th C” in Hawtrey-Gyngell's “Armourer's Marks”). Complex guard of round and oval-section bars with down-curved decoratively turned quillons with spirally chiseled balls and small button finials. Large side ring with chiseled acanthus medallions and looping diagonal bar connecting to the large pas d'ane. Diagonal side ring on reverse attached to the pas d'ane. Spirally fluted ovoid pommel decorated with acanthus ensuite. Bottle-neck hand- and-a-half grip with what appears to be the original black leather wrap. Cleaned overall in very good condition for its age; the blade showing light pitting and lamination with a few small edge nicks. Well-balanced fighting sword of exceptional quality, obviously specially made for a nobleman of means. Overall length 47 3/4″.

Nation : American
Local Price : £12950

Click and use the code 23150 to search for this item on the dealer website Most Rare Romanov Era, Russian Shashka, ´Sword & Nagaika of Gallantry´

Nation : British
Local Price : £12750

Click and use the code 23374 to search for this item on the dealer website Simply Fabulous ´Battle of Austerlitz´ & Napoleonic Wars Period, Early 19th Century Austrian Field Marshal Grade Officer´s Sword

Nation : Japanese
Local Price : £11995

Click and use the code 23519 to search for this item on the dealer website Museum Grade Koto Era Samurai Wakazashi Sword By Master Tadamitsu Circa 1440-1460 Mino Goto Koshirae, With Deep Red Lacquer Saya & Black Silk Binding

Nation : British
Local Price : £11950

Click and use the code 23375 to search for this item on the dealer website Most Incredible and Finest Quality King George IIIrd Napoleonic Wars Scottish Presentation Sword, Presented In The Months Following the Battle of Trafalgar

Nation : British
Local Price : £11950

Click and use the code 22119 to search for this item on the dealer website Fantastic Silver Mounted Napoleonic 18th Century Sword-Shamshir Used Into the Early 19th Century

Nation : Spanish
Local Price : £11500

German / Tyrolean Hand And A Half Sword Circa 1520 With Islamic / Ottoman Inscription. A German or Tyrolean “hand and a half” size fighting sword, of attractive proportions, dating to the first part of the 16th century. A worn Islamic inscription on both sides of the blade indicates that the sword was once captured by the Ottomans as a trophy, most likely in one of the many battles engaged between European and Ottoman forces, as the Empire expanded into the Balkans, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean rim in the late 15th and 16th centuries. Until the early part of the 20th century many similar trophies were stored at the Istanbul Armoury (now the Military Museum, Asker Muzesi, at Harbiye), and relocated to other locations around the city in turbulent times for Turkey at the end of the Ottoman era, often to insecure and inappropriate storage. Some swords like this dispersed to European collections where they were cleaned and displayed. The story of the sword therefore not only represents the European armourer’s craft in the early 16th century, but also in different ways, the rise of the Ottoman Empire, which it was originally used to oppose, and its decline. The broad double-edged blade gradually tapers towards its point. A central fuller extends from the hilt either side for 10 inches (26 cm) which is flanked by two shorter fullers 7 inches (18 cm) in length. Just after the fullers terminate the inscription is applied slightly to one side on each face and the blade is of flattened lenticular section thereafter for the rest of its length. The middle of the cross is forged as a thick, oval guard bar. The quillons are of rounded section and curve downwards to terminate in large waisted swollen knops. A sloping thumb ring is present on one side and a more imposing guard ring is fixed to the other, strengthened by secondary guard bars which join the sides of the ring with the cross bar. The outer edge of the ring is decorated with knops of similar style to the quillon terminals. The solid pommel is dome shaped on top, decorated with fern-like incised designs, cone shaped below and mounted with an integral button. The waisted stepped grip is of wood covered with leather over a cord wrap. These large swords were not just for two-handed use. They were designed to be used equally well with one hand by a trained user. In the 16th century “hand and a half” swords were probably not a rare site on European battlefields. As fashions changed towards the beginning of the 17th century they went out of use and today are quite rare compared to the survival rates of two-handed swords which are of the “bearing sword” variety – large, well made, imposing and decorous, but designed mainly to be carried point up in civic procession rather than for use in combat. Blade length 41.25 inches (105 cm). Length overall 49.5 inches (126 cm).

Nation : British
Local Price : £11475

Click and use the code 23238 to search for this item on the dealer website Fine Norman Sword Used into the Reign of King Richard the Lionheart

Nation : British
Local Price : £11275

Click and use the code 22938 to search for this item on the dealer website Edward Ist, Medieval ´Type XII´ Double-Edged Knightly Sword13th century

Nation : British
Local Price : £11275

Click and use the code 23521 to search for this item on the dealer website Most Rare And Superb 3rd 2nd Century b.c. Falcata Sword From the Invasion of Rome in the Punic Wars of The Great General Hannibal

Nation : British
Local Price : £11250

Click and use the code 23516 to search for this item on the dealer website Imperial Roman Gladius Legionary´s Long Sword Early to Mid 1st Century Used until The 3rd century AD

Nation : -
Local Price : 15,800.00 USD

TWO HAND SWORD OF LANDSKNECHT TYPE. South German or Austrian, C.1580. Landsknechts, as the name implies were foot soldiers, and mercenaries skilled in hand-to-hand combat earning great recognition for their skill in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. In the second half of the 16th century, the Reformation polarized Europe with old territorial and political disputes resurfacing. Wars broke out throughout France and the Netherlands and the Landsknechts were employed to reinforce less-skilled local armies. The two-hand sword was used by soldiers of exceptional stature to cleave openings in infantry ranks which broke the formation initiating the melee in which individuals fought hand to hand, the specialty of the Landsknechts. This example ranks with the largest at 76 1/2" total length. The 56 5/8" flamberge (wavy) blade incorporates two-blade catcher side lugs. Many South German and Swiss town arsenals included two hand swords in their stock. Notable examples are Graz and Zurich where those swords remain today. This example is further distinguished by its unparalleled age character. The blade and hilt have a soft brown surface patina testifying its age. The grip retains much of its original leather covering. The blade has some white paint spatter from being hung in a manor house or lodge where the ceilings were repainted from time to time to cover soot from candle lighting, an integral part of its history.

Nation : Spanish
Local Price : £10850

South German Or Swiss Hand And A Half Sword Circa 1560. A scarce and attractive “hand and a half” sword dating to the mid 16th century. A well made example, finely balanced in hand, well constructed and in good condition. The distinctive hilt is similar to contemporary hilts of more common single handed swords known as “Saxon”, but most certainly made and used over a much wider region. Similar contemporary hand and a half examples of the same proportions are on display in the Doge’s Palace in Venice. Photographs of these swords in the Palace are enclosed at the end of the sequence of images of our sword posted below. These large swords were not just for two-handed use. They were designed to be used equally well with one hand by a trained user. In the 16th century these swords were probably not a rare site on European battlefields, carried by mercenaries and professional soldiers in armies fighting almost permanently during a time of shifting religious, political and social change. As fashions changed towards the beginning of the 17th century they went out of use and today are quite rare compared to the survival rates of two-handed swords which are of the “bearing sword” variety – large, well made, imposing and decorous, but designed mainly to be carried point up in civic procession rather than for use in combat. The hilt consists of a robust square section quillon block from which the broad arms of the cross guard are forged in flattened diamond section broadening towards the ends and terminating in shallow diamond profiles mounted with knops in the centre. A ring guard is forged from the block, and a smaller secondary ring guard sits beneath this attached to the base of two vertically aligned convex crescents of iron, which extend from the underside of the block either side of the ricasso. This structure is further strengthened on the reverse side by two crossed loops of rounded form which protrude from the block and attach to the base of the guard crescents below. A thumb ring is attached to the block above these loops. The pommel is of solid cone form with a slightly flared and narrow neck beneath. The waisted stepped grip is of wood covered with leather over a cord wrap. The broad blade is double edged with a ricasso extending some 5.5 inches (14 cm) from the hilt. A single broad central fuller extends down the centre of the blade 9.5 inches (24 cm) flanked by two shorter fullers of similar width which extend for the length of the ricasso. Beyond the central fuller the blade is of flattened lenticular section to its tip. Just beyond the end of the central fuller a stamped armourers mark is present both sides consisting of a face in a half moon facing to the left. This type of mark was often used by Solingen and Toledo trained smiths. This mark particularly resembles the Toledo mark of Espadero del Rey. The blade is most likely of Northern Italian origin manufactured by a Toledo trained smith, working in an area under Spanish control, possibly Milan, from where Spanish blades could easily access the wider European sword making markets. It is also possible that the mark is of a Spanish trained smith that went on to work in one of the non-Spanish blade-making centres such as Solingen and that the sword was made in its entirety there. This sword form was not common in the Spanish armoury. Some European sword makers are known to have trained in Toledo, for example Heinrich Col who was a German from Solingen who worked in Toledo then in Germany (Cf. Seitz I, p. 344, and II, p. 268) indicating that movement of smiths between blade and sword making centres occurred. For more information on this mark see “European Makers of Edged Weapons, Their Marks – A Handbook for Museums and Collectors”, Staffan Kinman, Norrkopings Tryckeri, 2015. Blade length 39 inches (99 cm). Length overall 47.5 inches (120.5 cm).

Nation : ?
Local Price : £10500.00

Pair of Silver Mounted Holster Pistols by Griffin. A Super Pair of Silver Mounted Holster Pistols by Griffin of Bond Street, Hallmarked for 1756-57, Silversmiths Mark for Jeremiah Ashley. With round barrels, slightly swamped at the muzzles, engraved ‘GRIFFIN Bond Street London' within a border, both stamped with London proofs and Foreigners marks, foliate engraved barrel tangs and screws, signed stepped, bevelled locks, early waterproof pans, cocks beautifully engraved with scrolling foliage, full-stocked in walnut with raised mouldings around the barrel tangs, superb silver furniture comprising; buttcaps each with grotesque masks; trigger guards with London hallmarks for 1773/4 and makers mark IK, with detailed flower engraved trigger guard bows and flower finials, asymmetrical wrist escutcheons cast and chased with blossoms and foliage left vacant, pierced side-plates decorated with scrolling foliage and strap-work. GRIFFIN Benjamin. Apprenticed to Samuel Harrison, 1719; gave up apprentice and worked as Foreign gunmaker allowed to prove guns by Gunmakers Co., 1724-31. Told to give up work by Gunmakers CO., but traded as gunmaker (Successor to Samuel Garrison), Bond St., 1735-70. Registered silversmiths mark, Goldsmiths Hall, 1743. With son, Joseph, took out Sun Ins. (No. 159594)on goods at Cross & Griffin, New Bond Street., 1757. Died 1770. Joseph Son of Benjamin. Apprenticed to Samuel Blanckley, turned over to father, 1741; free of Gunmakers CO., 1750. Proof piece and mark 1759. Elected Assistant, 1759; Master, 1762, 1763. Appointed Gentlemen Armourer to His Majestys Stables-in-Ordinary, 1760. Gunmaker to His Majesty near the Duke of Graftons, Bond Street., 1763. In partnership with father until 1770, then with John Tow, 1772-82. Died in 1784. Succeeded by John Tow. Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA. Dimensions: Bore:16 Bore Barrel Length: 9 Inches (22.86 cm) Overall Length: 14 Inches (35.56 cm)

Nation : British
Local Price : £10295

Click and use the code 22937 to search for this item on the dealer website Fabulous Original Knight´s Sword of Henry IIIrd Period, in the 1200´s

Nation : British
Local Price : £10250

Click and use the code 23251 to search for this item on the dealer website Norman Single-Handed Sword 12th century AD, Used In the Early Crusades Era

Nation : British
Local Price : £9995

Click and use the code 21918 to search for this item on the dealer website Imperial German Large Damascus Sword Presented by Baron von Hammerstein

Nation : British
Local Price : £9995

Click and use the code 23241 to search for this item on the dealer website Original Norman Crusader Knights Broadsword, Brazil Nut Pommel

Nation : British
Local Price : £9750

Click and use the code 23517 to search for this item on the dealer website Most Rare & Superb Original Roman Legionary´s & Cavalryman´s Spatha Long Sword, Late 3rd Century

Nation : -
Local Price : £9,750.00

Snaphaunce Musket c1630. A very rare early Snaphaunce Musket c1630 possibly earlier and Austrian or German. The musket is full stocked with a curve profile below the barrel line running the full length and with iron ramrod pipes, pins and muzzle end. The ramrod in original with horn tip matching the inlay to the stock. The barrel with excellent engraved decoration to the beech and flared muzzle. The stock with sliding small patch box with basic catch and a named detailed in ink Von ?? possibly the Austrian – German connection however the stock is stamped with A P and under the lock L H which could indicate the property of Col Alexander Popham of Littlecote House c 1605 – 1669 complete with iron large trigger guard and trigger Please note the lock has been cleaned and a small age repair to the forend which is hardly visible overall length 44 inches 112cm the barrel 37.75 inches 88cm

Nation : German
Local Price : £9500

Click and use the code 21508 to search for this item on the dealer website Wonderful, Original, German ´Zweihander´ Great Sword 16th Century

Nation : Japanese
Local Price : £8750

Click and use the code 23114 to search for this item on the dealer website Very Long Ancient Koto Samurai Odachi Great Sword 14th Cent. Genko War Era

Nation : British
Local Price : £8750

Very Fine Scottish Basket Hilted Sword dating to 1720 to 1740. A very fine Scottish basket hilted sword made during the years which span the failed Jacobite Rebellions of 1715, 1719 and 1745. It represents the work of the Scottish armourer and hilt maker at its best. The hilt is forged from thick pieces of iron in a symmetrical and pleasing form with the filed grooves, frets and pierced designs all executed in an artistic and deliberate manner. The hilt retains its attractive contours and its original grip and liner. The robust blade complements the hilt to create a well balanced and attractive sword. The structural guard bars of the hilt are forged in thick rectangular section and decorated with longitudinal flutes formed with fine shallow filed grooves along the middle of each bar on the outside. The main and secondary guard panels are filed with delicate frets and merlons to the edges, incised with line designs and pierced with patterns of circles and triangles. The conical pommel has a similarly shaped button filed with a groove around its circumference just beneath its flattened top. Three sets of lines radiate from the button, formed as a wide middle groove, similar in width to the grooves on the outside of the structural guard bars, flanked with thinner incised lines. The spaces between these lines are decorated with upwardly convex crescents formed in the same way. The tops of the guard arms fit into a pronounced chiselled groove which extends for the full circumference of the pommel just below its middle. The spirally grooved wooden grip is covered with shagreen and bound with roped copper wire, a thicker central twist flanked by two of thinner manufacture. Silver ferrules with crescent shaped convex edges, decorated with raised bands and enhanced with rows of dots are mounted top and bottom of the grip. The hilt retains its shaped leather liner covered with red velvet to the outside and joined with a blue silken hem. The high quality single edged tapering blade has a pronounced fuller extending from the hilt for most of its length either side underneath the spine to a distance 9 inches (23 cm) from the tip after which it becomes double edged. A second fuller of equal depth and width commences at a distance of 7 inches from the hilt and terminates 6 inches from the tip. A pronounced ricasso is present which extends from the hilt for just over 1.5 inches (4 cm) after which the sharp cutting edge commences. The blade length is just under 33.25 inches (84.5 cm) and the overall length of the sword is 39.5 inches (100 cm). Some Scottish basket hilted swords are stamped with the initials of the maker. The practice seems to have emerged in Glasgow in the later 17th century and continued until traditional Scottish sword making disappeared after the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. Armourers that worked in other towns copied the practice, particularly in Stirling. Although this sword is not marked by a maker, the style of its well executed hilt indicates that it was made in Stirling. The condition of the metal is very good all over the sword is very good. The original surface sheen of the metal is retained and there is little damage from rust other than minor small blackened age related stains in places as the photographs show. The sword is firm in hand.

Nation : British
Local Price : £8450

Scottish Basket Hilted Broad Sword Dating to circa 1710 to 1740. An attractive, fine quality and robust example of an early 18th century Highland Scottish basket hilted broad sword. The sword is an elegant example mounted with an “ANDREA FERARA” blade. The sword was made during the years which span the failed Jacobite Rebellions of 1715, 1719 and 1745. It represents the work of the Scottish armourer and hilt maker at its best. The hilt is forged from thick pieces of iron in a symmetrical and pleasing manner with rounded bars, frets and pierced designs all executed in a an artistic and deliberate manner. The hilt retains its pleasing contours and its original grip and liner. The robust blade complements the hilt to create a well balanced and attractive sword. The well proportioned basket guard is forged from thick rounded structural iron bars resulting in a powerful hilt, finely contoured, made by an experienced smith, familiar with producing high quality work from this unforgiving material. The two main frontal guard panels are decorated in typical style, with longitudinal lines incised into the exterior surfaces towards the panel edges. Each has a saltire cut into the centre, surrounded by a pattern of pierced circles and triangles. The edges of the panels are boldly and symmetrically fretted with merlons, arches and grooves, applied in a deliberate, precise and artisan-like manner. The smaller, secondary guard plates to the sides, together with the similarly sized centre front guard plate, are finished in a similar manner. The dome-shaped pommel has a similarly contoured button on top, filed with a middle groove, and is decorated with four equally spaced wide, deep grooves which radiate from the pommel button, each flanked with narrower incised lines. The upper guard arm terminals of the basket fit into a pronounced chiselled groove which extends for the full circumference of the pommel just below its middle. The spirally grooved wooden grip is covered with shagreen and bound with age blackened silver ribbon and retains the remains of a woolen fringe at the top. The hilt retains a liner made of red cloth to the outside stitched onto a leather lining on the inside with the remains of a blue silken hem stitched to the edge. The German (most likely made in Solingen) double-edged “broad-sword” blade is of fine quality and gently tapers to its tip. It has a pronounced ricasso extending for a short distance from the hilt with short fullers near the square-sectioned edges, after which the blade is sharp on both sides. A pronounced double fuller extends from a short distance from the hilt down the centre of the blade for 8 inches (20 cm) after which the blade is of smooth lenticular section to its tip. On each side, each fuller, is boldly marked with the name ANDREA FERARA, the words separated by dot and crescent marks and flanked by crosses. A short distance beyond the termination of the fullers a bold running wolf mark is carved on each face. For a similar style hilt, probably from the same workshop, see fig F5c page 102 in “British Basket-Hilted Swords”, Cyril Mazansky, The Boydell Press, 2005, for a sword in Blair Castle in Perthshire. Provenance: Arnold Rothschild Collection, Baltimore. The sword retains its brass collection inventory tag number 14 and chain. The overall length of the sword is 39.5 inches (99 cm) and the blade 33 inches (84 cm).