Several years ago I contacted Patrick Bárta of TEMPL Historic Arms in the Czech Republic to create a Schiavona for me. I was absolutely thrilled with the results and immediately asked to be put into his work queue again. This time I asked if he'd be interested in creating another kind of "continental" basket-hilt.

I sent him several photos of original basket-hilts that were of interest to me like these examples:

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After a few email exchanges, the sharing of more photos, and some of his own research, Mr. Bárta chose a few different antique swords, all dated from the early 17th century, as inspiration for his replica.

The blade of the replica is based on an example in a Prague museum by German swordcuttler Heinrich Goll. It has inscriptions that read ENRIQVE COEL and EN ALAMANIA in the fullers. The hilt is based on two very similar hilts from Malbork, Poland (East Prussia prior to World War II) and Vienna, Austria. Here is a photo of the antique sword hilt from Malbork:

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Click photo for larger version

I waited nearly three years to have the new basket-hilt created. Mr. Bárta contacted me in the summer of 2006 to tell me that he was starting the project. There were some delays from the original estimate, but Patrick was was communicative and always contacted me before any delays. Once he began the project, it took him only a short time to complete it.

I received a note in December 2006 with photos of the completed sword. I was thrilled with the results. So after a wire transfer, another week of waiting, and huge shipping bill, the handmade crate arrived safe and sound from the Czech Republic.

Have a look at at what he's created:

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Click photos for larger versions

The pommel and cross-guard finials have stippling and are each inlaid with brass. What a fantastic touch! The blade is crisp and he's replicated the incised inscription from the antique in Prague. Note the tight wire-wrapped grip with its brass Turk's head knots that match the brass inlays. The thumb-ring adds greatly to the handling of the piece. The basket guard is forge-welded from iron dating back 300 years. The scabbard has a wooden core, leather covering, and brass accents. its cross-section is quite thin, as it is supposed to be, and the brass parts are all carefully file-worked.

The overall length is 43.625" with a blade of 37.625" long and 1.5" wide at its base. It's a big, heavy sword made for a cavalryman combating heavily-armoured targets.

More photos and complete stats will appear on a future myArmoury.com weekly update. Stay tuned.

I love this. I'm not huge into that time period, but that's a really nice piece. Really nice. :)

The sum of all the little details really makes it special.

WOW! That is a gorgeous piece of work! Congrats Nathan. Can't wait to see the review.

Hearty congratulations on this very nice sword Nathan! You'll have to now give us a review of it! ;-)

That's one beautiful beast. Interested to know what it weighs and how agile it is, no doubt a fearsome cutter.

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

Thanks for looking and, of course, sharing your comments! What strikes me deeply about his work in general, and this sword in particular, are the details that he puts into it. That, along with the capturing of shaping from the originals, makes his work both impressive and compelling in so many ways.

I regret to say this, but due to work-related equipment investments and other unexpected expenses, I may be putting this one on the market for sale. Interested parties are welcome to contact me privately to discuss this.

What was the cost of shipping?

That is quite hefty. Was this COD or included in the initial transfer.? I'm simply asking so I can gauge my upcoming order.

It is a beautiful sword regardless.

Really impressive and I will take the time later to have a look at all the bigger versions of the pics.

Well, I sort of hope you can find an alternate plan than selling it, but if you do sell it don't make it a fire sale you should at least get back all the money you put into it and frankly you should hold out for a decent profit on it. ;)

This is just to nice to give away. :eek: :lol:

At the very least photograph it to death to document it as much as possible as it should at least be something you can continue admiring even if you no longer have it.

Just be very sure you won't regret selling it and be kicking yourself a few years from now. :(

I love this sword, Nathan. In fact, just yesterday, I showed my wife a photo of this same sword that you posted in the Your Last Sword thread:
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I look forward to hearing more about it, and seeing more pictures.

Amazing detail! Enjoy it, Nathan. Patrick is such an artist! :cool:

Nathan, that is one beautiful sword! Gads... you'll killing me!

PM sent!

:D

Cheers!

Gordon

You know I was JUST looking at some historical baskethilts on Thomas M.'s site, I believe it
was, and was quite taken with some of the baskethilts with these " antlerian " quillons ... I'd
like to know how that long beastie handles, NR ...

You know, there MUST be a great feeling involved with seeing a project sword with a custom
smith come to fruition ... a really great feeling. CONGRATS !!! B-)

That is a beautiful sword! Mr. Barta's swords, and the detail work in particular, never cease to astound me.

I don't know if this is a valid comparison but I just shipped a 35" long, 4" wide and 1.75 lb sword to Australia and the cost of air mail plus insurance was around $120 (final package was 48" by 4" square and 3 lbs). I THINK Australia is farther than Eastern Europe but then again, shipping costs might not work that way.

Stunning sword Nathan! I have been gaining an appreciation lately in European baskethilts and to see this right now just adds fuel to the fire! Excellent choice of subject and outstanding execution of the piece itself! Mr Barta continues to impress!