Here are two shots of swords in hand showing the size difference
between production baskethilt and a custom baskethilt.

The first picture is of a Cold Steel baskethilt.
If I did the measurements correctly they are as follows:
At Guard: 4 3/4" wide
At Additional Guard: 4.5"
Length of Basket: 5.5"

It is very roomy-one size fits nearly all.

dave

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The second picture is of my Erik Stevenson baskethilt.
Erik took measurements of my hand so it would fit snugly.
The measurements are as follows:
At Guard: 3 3/4" wide
At Additional Guard: 3 1/2"
Length of Basket:4.5"

As you can tell from the photograph this basket fits my hand
like a glove.

dave

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Nice. If I ever decided to add some baskethilts to my collection I'll definitely go for custom simply because I'm left handed. That goes for rapiers too. Seeing a baskethilt that actually fits the hand makes the idea of having one much more attractive. :cool:

Not to mention that a too-large "one size fits all" basket-hilt adds unnecessary weight...

Hi David-

I would agree about the weight. Also when the excess is taken out by having a basket measured for your
hand it seems to have a better balance IMHO.

dave

I also posted this at the 'other' place but I thought I'd submit it as well. Here's my MRL in comparison with my Eljay S Hilt. Not the best angles but its easy to see the difference.

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Hi Guys

Yes, there certainly is a big difference when you go the custom route, especially if it's made to suit !

Do keep in mind though that even originals came in a variety of sizes, and some baskets were purposely made larger !
Many of the cavalry /military basket hilts of the 18th century ( production ?) tend to be larger & heavier than ones that the infantryman carried, and no doubt had some extra room in there (liners & gloves probably helped fill the voids).

Charles Whitelaw's 'Scottish Arms Makers' writes :
The horseman's form of basket-hilted sword was used in Scotland probably by yeomanry regiments as well as by other mounted men. This has a larger and heavier basket than the sword used by the infantryman, and often has an oval ring about 3 inches by 1 1/2 inches in diameter on the inner thumb side where it takes the place of the usual pierced rectangular plate.

and continues ......

Basket hilts of this period are sometimes made heavier than previously, probably owing to the custom in vogue at the beginning of the 18th century of parrying on the basket, and not on the blade, a practice condemned by Sir William Hope in his book on fencing ("Hope's New Method of Fencing, by Sir William Hope of Balcomie, Bart., Late Deputy-Governour of the Castle Edinburgh, 1714.")

Mac

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Hi Mac!

Thanks for the imput and information.

I've always wondered if there were size difference between standard "issue" hilts and
those that were "commissioned and custom" hilts carried by the upperclasses and elite.

dave