Hilt of a basket-hilted sword

Add to album

This detail show the basket hilt and part of the blade of a sword dating from the mid 18th century. The hilt was made by Walter Allan of Stirling. The blade was imported from Germany.

The hilt has been fitted to a back blade - a blade which is sharp on the fore edge only, unlike a broad blade which is sharp on both edges.

The making of quality basket hilts in Stirling appears to have started in 1714 when John Allan moved there from Doune. Some of Allan's best hilts are decorated in the same style as Doune pistols.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-002-251-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.LA 126
• Date: Mid 18th century
  
• Material: Brass hilt. Inscription: On underside of quillon: WA [and] S [beneath the WA]
  Backsword
  
• Dimensions: 1010 mm L x 98 mm max W x 135 mm max D
  
• What: Backsword
  
• Subject: Swords (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Earl of Eglinton's Collection
  Milne-Davidson Collection
  Walter Allan, Stirling (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Stirlingshire, Stirling
  
• Event:
• Description: Backsword with a basket-hilt of fluted brass and an inscribed blade, with WAS inscribed on the underside of the quillon
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: