Hilt of a basket-hilted sword

This detail shows the basket hilt and part of the blade of a sword, dated 1716, which belonged to the Chief of Clanranald. The hilt was made by John Allan senior, of Stirling. The blade was imported from Germany.

The hilt is inlaid with silver.

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

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• Online ID: 000-100-000-909-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MCR 1
• Date: 1716
  
• Material: Iron, silver inlay
  Backsword
  
• Dimensions: 797 mm l (blade); 144 mm L (hilt and pommel)
  
• What: Backsword
  
• Subject: Clanranald Collection (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Clanranald Collection of Jacobite and Family Relics
  John Allan, senior, Stirling (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Stirlingshire, Stirling
  
• Event:
• Description: Basket hilted backsword by John Allan, senior, of Stirling, the loops inscribed with the maker's name and the date 1716
  
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