Hilt of a basket-hilted sword

This detail shows the basket hilt and part of the blade of a sword dating from the mid 18th century. The hilt was made by John 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.

Like the Doune gunsmiths, a large part of the Stirling armourers' business was with the Highlands in the years before 1745. But although John Allan's two sons carried on the business and produced fine hilts, the industry came to an end about 1770.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-002-255-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.LA 143
Date:	Mid 18th century
Material:	Inscription: On underside of cross guard: JA / S
Dimensions:	978 mm L; 133 mm W (hilt); 820 mm L (blade)
What:	Backsword
Subject:	Swords (NMAS Classification)
Who:	John Allan, Stirling (Maker)
Where:	Scotland, Stirlingshire, Stirling
Event:
Description:	Basket-hilted backsword with a curved blade double-edged to about a foot from the point, by John Allan of Stirling
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