Basket Sword

Approx. Period: 1745 AD
Length: 1.50m Width: 0.15m

The weapon most generally associated with the Highlanders and Jacobites is the basket-hilted broadsword, also referred to as a claymore or claidheamh mor. The weapon first appeared in the 16th century and the cage basket which provides protection for the hand is a development of the simpler quillioned hilt.

The sword is fitted with a straight double edged blade. Most of the high quality steel blades originated in Germany and being expensive would probably be recycled several times and fitted with new hilts. The configuration of the basket adopts the features found in most surviving examples. The main bars and knuckle guards protect the hand and extending rear and forward guards provide extra protection.