New Basket Hilt from ElJay -- myArmoury.com

GG Osborne · Posted: Tue 29 Dec, 2009 7:23 pm Post subject: New Basket Hilt from ElJay

ElJay has been on to me for some time for not highlighting his hilts in my collection. Well, the sad truth is that I don't own a digital camera...perhaps the only person on the planet without this capability. So, I had to wait until I got a picture from him so I could share.

For whatever reason, asthetic or something else entirely, my collection has tended towards the more complex Stirling-type hilts. I never collected a really good specimen of the traditional Glasgow hilt... until now. Several years ago, I started looking at collecting sword hilts from portaits during the 1745-46 Jacobite rebellion period. Last year, ELJay made a beautiful copy of Cameron of Lochiels hilt and this hilt is as close as we could get in reproducing the plainer basket hilt shown on the famous full-length picture of Lord George Murray. (Henrik maybe you could add this picture as an illustration since you have such a nice digital library of such things!)

At any rate, as anyone with eyes to see can tell, this is another work of art from one of the worlds premier hilt makers. Frankly, I don't see how ELJay makes such consistently wonderful hilts as I have never seen one that isn't just perfect and able to hold its own in any context, artistic or practical.

So, here is my new pride and joy - hopefully in transit from Thailand. Enjoy the view and thank ElJay for his artistry and craftsmanship.

PS - didn't know how to just add the picture directly to the post so had to attach. Perhaps one of our savy administrators can help out!

Brian Kent · Posted: Tue 29 Dec, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject:

Now that is a work of art my friend! I am jealous of you! His work is always superb, I hope that I'll be able to order one from him one day.

David Wilson · Posted: Tue 29 Dec, 2009 11:32 pm Post subject:

Ahh yes -- beautiful, as always!!!

Congrads on a gorgeous piece of art by one of the finest "hammermen" alive!

Luka Borscak · Posted: Wed 30 Dec, 2009 1:12 am Post subject:

Yep. It's perfect. Congratulations! We are all happy for you, doesn't matter that we are also jealous! Wink

Henrik Bjoern Boegh · Posted: Wed 30 Dec, 2009 5:18 am Post subject:

Lord George Murray 1740s:

Congratulations, George. That's stunning!

Cheers,
Henrik

Ed McV · Posted: Wed 30 Dec, 2009 7:39 am Post subject:

It's a wonderful basket hilt sword in the Lord George Murray painting and I would estimate the width of the blade at the hilt to be 3 to 3 1/4 inch ?.

Christopher Gregg · Posted: Wed 30 Dec, 2009 8:40 am Post subject:

GG Osborne · Posted: Wed 30 Dec, 2009 9:28 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the kind comments, you guys, but, of course all the praise rightfully belongs to ELJay. I'm just glad to have it coming to the collection. And thank you HenrIk - as always - for providing the illustration of Lord George - what a tragic historical figure!

As to the comments on the blade, frankly, I hadn't really noticed how wide it was until I saw the opening in the scabbard. Wow! Talk about a cleaver! So now I have to find someone to make it. Any suggestions?

Scott Kowalski · Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom

First off, congratulations on having such a nice basket hilt made. ELJay did a great job. Even though this type of sword is close to 400 years later then my area of interest I want to get one for myself one day. You know, just to round out the collection and all.

As to who should make the blade. I would see if Michael Pikula of Volund Forge could do something for you. He does great work at a reasonable price with pretty decent turn around.

Scott

Henrik Bjoern Boegh · Posted: Wed 30 Dec, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

Ben Sweet · Posted: Wed 30 Dec, 2009 12:39 pm Post subject:

Beautiful ElJay hilt and great taste! I think but could be wrong looks to be F17(IS) from Mazansky pg 122 I have your close sister F19 in brass..good luck blade hunting!

Thom R. · Posted: Wed 30 Dec, 2009 12:43 pm Post subject:

That a lovely basket! John Lundemo also made my blade for my ElJay basket. I recommend John highly! We have a thread on Eljay's work here:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...p;start=44

Once you get your basket and blade all together post a photo for us in that thread so we can keep it going!

tr

GG Osborne · Posted: Wed 30 Dec, 2009 12:49 pm Post subject:

How can I reach John Lundemo? I should be familar with his work but can't place it.

Bennison N · Posted: Wed 30 Dec, 2009 1:04 pm Post subject:

Here you go, mate...

http://www.odinblades.com/

One for the "favourites"...

That's an awesome hilt! Really awesome! It always leaves me stunned as to how someone can take a painted portrait and a billet of steel and just make a beautiful hilt like that! It's amazing!

ElJay... What an artist!

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

I want that sword. I really do.

Very nice choice for an inspiration! I know you typically like the ornate and complex baskets, but I'm glad you've augmented with a "simple" design such as this. Hell, let's face it, it's not simple... it's quite extraordinary.