Could one of our German speaking friends translate this text for me !

Thanks, Mac

Lot Nr.1481
Korbschwert,
Schottland, Mitte 19.Jhdt. Schlanke zweischneidige Klinge (stellenweise narbig). Durchbrochenes eisernes Korbgefäß, konischer gekehlter Knauf. Lederbezogene Hilze mit Messingdrahtwicklung. Länge 98 cm.

[ Linked Image ] [ Linked Image ]

http://www.hermann-historica.com/gb/index.htm

"Korbschwert,
Schottland, Mitte 19.Jhdt. Schlanke zweischneidige Klinge (stellenweise narbig). Durchbrochenes eisernes Korbgefäß, konischer gekehlter Knauf. Lederbezogene Hilze mit Messingdrahtwicklung. Länge 98 cm."

Basket-hilted sword,
Scotland, middle of the 19th century. Slim, double-edged blade (corroded spots). Pierced iron basket-hilt,
conical waisted (?) pommel. Leather-covered grip with brass thread in grooves (?). Length: 98 cm (that's 38.6" for you followers of that quaint system).

Thank you , Björn ..... much appreciated !

Slàinte, Mac

Hello Mac

Is that from an auction? The photos have that look to them. The basket is interesting as far as it exhibits riveted construction. I would possibly place it outside of Scotland as far as origination point. A piece done for the market there or possibly as a decorative item. The 19th C stuff can be tough to nail down where and why, I have not come across one like this before. What do you think? Has Eljay commented?

Best Craig

Hi everyone,
I think what we're looking at here is a basket made as a decorater (someone mentioned this already), possibly during the later Vic era. What I find interesting is that although the construction is rivetted (easy and quick construction), whoever made it went to the trouble of rolling that wristguard. This implies that the maker was at least aware of this feature on Scottish baskets, but I'm clueless as to why he didn't put more effort into making the rest of the hilt look more Scottish!

--ElJay

Thanks Eljay

Funny, It sometimes feels like we know more about the swords (thier makers, province etc.) in earlier centuries, than we do with the ones from the Victorian age ?

Mac

Evenin all

Good point about the guard Eljay. I think the Victorian era is a realy interesting period as the craftsmen of the period probably had an idea of all that it took to do the original and they were at the developemnt of the industrial age and thus could access the ability of manufactured parts, i.e. rivets to adjust to a desire of the customer to have it look right but be less expensive. Makes one wonde if a Victorian era bullitin board would be concerned with what was most authentic or what looked best on the wall????

The makers of these items are incredibly hard to track down. Mac remeber the mix of baskets I had and it lead us to Eljay and the insite into what realy makes a basket he gave us. Oh to be young and follish again, well at least we where a bit foolish I guess we where not that much younger than we are:-)

Keep well my friends a dram to you all.

Craig

I posted this elsewhere ,in a thread about a recent Sotheby auction, but figured since were discussing 19th c. work I'd post it up here too !

Mac

From Sothebys.Com Arms & Armour auction page !


A SCOTTISH BASKET-HILTED BACKSWORD,FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY

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measurements note
the first: 76.5cm; 30 1/8in blade

With tapering blade cut with a narrow fulller over its back-edge, rudimentary iron hilt of flattened bars carrying alternating broad and narrow plates pierced with circles and triangles, short quillon, small bun-shaped pommel, and original carved basketwork hardwood grip studded with nails