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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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 Posted: Thu 08 Jul, 2004 4:16 pm Post subject: My Germanic basket-hilt from E.B. Erickson |
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Sometime last year I talked with E.B. Erickson regarding a few antiques that I found interesting. I was looking for a custom maker to base a reproduction sword on them and ElJay was interested in the project.
As many of you know, I tend to be interested in many of the unusual swords that history has brought us. There are so many varieties of hilts and weapons that have really not seen much popularity in the world of reproductions. Many of these types are exactly what I want to be able to study in 3-dimensions, being able to handle them and study why they have developed in the way they did. Often, having a reproduction made is the only feasible way of doing this, as antiques are very expensive to purchase and museums generally do not allow a lot of handling of their items.
For the first project with ElJay, we decided on a very odd "continental" basket-hilt pattern. We used two swords as inspiration, one from ElJay's own antique collection, and the other described below. This hilt type appears to have very similar design characteristics to the schiavona type of sword. The complex basket is all attached at the cross-guard and knuckle-bow only, just like the schiavona.
This particular Germanic example, circa 1570, exists in the Museum of Border Arms and Armour, Teviotdale, Scotland:
Click photo for full-sized version
As you can see, this hilt has a very similar pyramidal type of pommel as many dussacks, Germanic basket-hilts, and even the "Sinclair" hilt type of weapon. As mentioned above, the diagonal nature of attachment of the "bars" of the guard is reminiscent of the schiavona. It’s likely that this type of hilt saw use in the Scottish/English border areas, as the antique's home in the Museum of Border Arms and Armor would suggest. Many schiavone also saw use in this area, calling to my interest in border reiver type of things.
I received the sword today from ElJay, only a short time after he started it. Here are some photos of it:
   
Click photos for full-sized versions
ElJay's creation is 37" long with a 32" long blade. It weighs around 2.3 pounds and handles wonderfully. To say I'm thrilled with this sword would be an understatement. It's a highly unusual piece to replicate and I'm excited to own it.
More photos and complete stats will appear on a future myArmoury.com weekly update. Stay tuned.
.:. Visit my Collection Gallery :: View my Reading List :: View my Wish List :: See Pages I Like :: Find me on Facebook .:.
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David McElrea
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| Posted: Thu 08 Jul, 2004 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Nathan,
Congratulations-- you do well at choosing the unique ones and that is an absolute stunner! I look forward to seeing the next update and hearing more about it.
Hat's off to ElJay for a great job, too.
David
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Tom Carr
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| Posted: Thu 08 Jul, 2004 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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 My God, Nathan! Thats beautiful!
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Allen Johnson
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| Posted: Thu 08 Jul, 2004 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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Beauty! Makes me more and more excited for my upcoming S-Hilt from him! 
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Patrick Kelly
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| Posted: Thu 08 Jul, 2004 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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You're really building up a nice collection of interesting compound hilts Nathan. It looks like you have another beauty to add to the collection.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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William Goodwin
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| Posted: Fri 09 Jul, 2004 4:56 am Post subject: |
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OOOO.....AAAAAAH....slobber,slobber,drool,drool......................
Nathan,dude, that's one hell of a beauty. Keep the photos coming,
can't get enough eye candy of this one. BIG 'OL CONGRATS to ya'
and "I'm not worthy,I'm not worthy" bows to Eljay for another fantastic job.
I'll get to see him tomorrow at a get together at Dave White's home,so I'll
pick his brain pan on this.
Cheers & enjoy the new addition.. 
William
aka Bill
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Sean Flynt
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Chuck Perino
Location: Roseburg, Oregon Joined: 22 Aug 2003
Posts: 107
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| Posted: Fri 09 Jul, 2004 7:56 am Post subject: |
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Cool! I was thinking about a similar basket hilt for a future custom order....looks great Nathan!
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Vince Labolito
Location: Tallahassee, FL Joined: 26 Jan 2004
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Fri 09 Jul, 2004 9:29 am Post subject: |
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gorgeous sword! I notice the handle looks a lot thicker than either of the two antiques. Is that a trick of the eye or is it bigger?
-v
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
- Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956)
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William Pace
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| Posted: Fri 09 Jul, 2004 9:42 am Post subject: |
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My jealously knows no limits. As an artist and a sculptor I can appreciate this on mulitple levels.
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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| Posted: Fri 09 Jul, 2004 11:43 am Post subject: |
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| Vincent Labolito wrote: | | gorgeous sword! I notice the handle looks a lot thicker than either of the two antiques. Is that a trick of the eye or is it bigger? |
The grip is definitely bigger than both antiques. It ended up being larger than ElJay wanted to make it, too. He's offered to re-do it for me, but frankly, it feels excellent in the hand and I'm inclined to keep it as it is. Authentic continental basket-hilts are often crudely executed and odd looking, so the over-sized grip actually adds to the look of the reproduction, in my opinion.
.:. Visit my Collection Gallery :: View my Reading List :: View my Wish List :: See Pages I Like :: Find me on Facebook .:.
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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M. Taylor
Location: Chesterland, Ohio Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 128
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| Posted: Fri 09 Jul, 2004 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, Nathan! That is one outstanding piece!! I went back and studied your other Shiavona; I think I have a new favorite
here. I'd love to see a picture of this 'in hand'. Hope it brings you a lot of pleasure. It's certainly one I wouldn't get tired of
looking at anytime soon.
Mark
"Only people not able to grow tall from their own efforts and achievements seek to subdue their fellow man."
"Only people not being able to find comfort in their own mind seek to silence others. " - Per Bylund
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Joe Fults
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| Posted: Fri 09 Jul, 2004 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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Over the past couple years I've seen several samples of Eljay's work up close and several more not so up close. It looks like he continues to press himself to raise the bar as time passes and the results show.
"The goal shouldn’t be to avoid being evil; it should be to actively do good." - Danah Boyd
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Stephen A. Fisher
Location: Kentucky USA Joined: 17 Oct 2003
Posts: 455
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| Posted: Fri 09 Jul, 2004 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Nathan,
The more I look at it the more I like it. I like ElJay's "makers mark," a nice touch. I think we need to see a picture of all of your fine basket-hilts side by side. 
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Tue 13 Jul, 2004 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Nathan
What a wonderful piece ..... a very interesting basket-hilt indeed !
I'd be tempted to do a little engraved decoration to the guards just to fancy them up a hair !
Congrats on another great piece , Nathan !
Nice work, EB ! Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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