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J.D. Crawford
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 Posted: Fri 29 Jan, 2021 6:06 pm Post subject: My First Basket Hilt! (From Rob Miller / Castle Keep) |
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Hi All,
I just want to show off my latest acquisition, and hopefully show it off more when it comes home.
I'm generally a collector of medieval sword replicas, but being half Scottish on my father's side, always intended to get my hands on a classic Basket Hilt. To make it special, I wanted it made in Scotland (by the way, my ancestors hail from the West Coast). So Rob Miller of Castle Keep, based on the Isle of Skye, was the natural choice. So I contacted him a couple of years ago and away we went.
As for the project, I tend to gravitate toward big swords, and found this big beauty on an antique web site, described thus:
"A Wonderful Antique Early 18th Century Large Scottish Basket Hilt Sword, circa. 1720-1740. Massive 34.75" double-edge blade with (3) separate narrow fullers on each face. Iron hilt of the form, circa. 1700-1740 with domed pommel. Original shagreen (ray skin) grip with twisted brass wire and 'Turk's Heads'. 40" overall length."
And here are some pictures of the original below (which of course I hope is authentic).
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Fri 29 Jan, 2021 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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And, joyous occasion, I just received pictures of the finished product today!
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Paul Hansen
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| Posted: Sat 30 Jan, 2021 8:40 am Post subject: |
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Wow! Now that's a sword! 
Poor targes... Congratulations!
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Jeremy V. Krause
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| Posted: Sat 30 Jan, 2021 11:07 am Post subject: |
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This is certainly a departure from your usual collecting. Will be interesting to hear how it handles compared to your medieval swords.
It looks cool.
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Bartek Strojek
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| Posted: Sat 30 Jan, 2021 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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Beautiful piece, I love the aesthetics of those Scottish basket hilts from whatever reason I can't quite express.
This one looks like an absolute beast too, wonder what's the weight like.
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Sat 30 Jan, 2021 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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Rob says its a beast. I'll be happy to provide detailed measurements and impressions when it comes. And yes Jeremy, compare it to some similar sized medieval swords. In the mean time, its awaiting a simple scabbard.
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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 813
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| Posted: Sat 30 Jan, 2021 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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Great looking addition to the collection J.D.! I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it compared to some of you big one handed medieval swords.
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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J. Nicolaysen
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| Posted: Sun 31 Jan, 2021 5:41 am Post subject: |
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Wow, it looks great JD! I've liked every thing I've seen Rob Miller make, but never have done anything with him. The blade is awesomely big. A lesser maker, I'd be concerned if they could get the handling right, but I think Rob is top shelf and will make it a fine sword. The original you posted looks pretty legit to me, though I'm not an expert.
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Sun 31 Jan, 2021 7:10 am Post subject: |
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| J. Nicolaysen wrote: | | Wow, it looks great JD! I've liked every thing I've seen Rob Miller make, but never have done anything with him. The blade is awesomely big. A lesser maker, I'd be concerned if they could get the handling right, but I think Rob is top shelf and will make it a fine sword. The original you posted looks pretty legit to me, though I'm not an expert. |
Thanks J. Rob is definitely a basket hilt broadsword expert (see his web site) but I don't know if he's ever made one this big.
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Daniel Sullivan
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| Posted: Sun 31 Jan, 2021 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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J. D.
Have a couple of basket hilts, but nothing comparable to this. The hilt work is certainly well done and crisp. However, the blade is enough to give me shortness of breath, don't recall seeing anything quite like this before. It may be a beast, but it certainly is a beauty.
Regards,
Dan
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Ian Hutchison
Location: Louisiana / Nordrhein-Westholland Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 591
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| Posted: Sun 31 Jan, 2021 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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Fantastic looking sword, J.D. Can't wait to hear more about it when it arrives!
'We are told that the pen is mightier than the sword, but I know which of these weapons I would choose.' - Adrian Carton de Wiart
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Lin Robinson
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| Posted: Mon 01 Feb, 2021 8:36 am Post subject: |
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Both are fine looking swords. You are a fortunateman!
Lin Robinson
"The best thing in life is to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women." Conan the Barbarian, 1982
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Mon 01 Feb, 2021 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks guys. I enjoy seeing pictures of your collections and I'm pleased to share mine with you.
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Thu 04 Feb, 2021 5:57 am Post subject: |
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And here's the scabbard (looks like its laying on the beach of Skye!). The package should be crossing the Atlantic soon, much like my Scottish ancestors did 190 years ago. (But hopefully the trip will be bit faster and easier).
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Christopher Gregg
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| Posted: Thu 04 Feb, 2021 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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Looks fantastic! Congratulations on a fine piece of Scottish history!
Christopher Gregg
'S Rioghal Mo Dhream!
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Sat 13 Feb, 2021 8:23 am Post subject: |
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Arrived yesterday! Looking forward to reviewing it when I have time.
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Joe Maccarrone
Location: Burien, WA USA Joined: 19 Sep 2003
Posts: 185
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| Posted: Sat 13 Feb, 2021 12:05 pm Post subject: |
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What a monster!
(And the sword is impressive, too..  )
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Sat 13 Feb, 2021 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Joe Maccarrone wrote: | What a monster!
(And the sword is impressive, too.. ) |
Heh, heh. Yeah.
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This is a standard topic