the "scottish sword" on Viking Metal works? -- myArmoury.com

David Stokes

There is a very interesting sword called a scottish sword.
It is basically a short bastard sword, but unlike some scottish single handers, it actually features spatulated quatrafoils on the guard.
It claims it was used historically because of its smaller than a two hander size made it faster in battle....... yadda yadda yadda.

Question is, DID swords of that size actually exist historically with fittings like that?
My concern is the guard, usually you only see that type of guard setup on "big ones" like Macs new puppy.........

Any museum pics of swords like that?

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

It's always helpful to do some legwork for readers, so that they can answer these questions without having to each go out and look for the sword referenced.

I believe David is referring to this:

Here are the stats from the Viking Metal Works Web site:

Overall Length: 42"
Blade Length: 31"
Distal Taper: continuous, 1/4" at guard, 1/8" at tip
Point of Balance: 2" inches past guard
Hilt Length: 11"
Blade Width: 2" at guard
Guard Width: 10" from quillon tip to quillon tip
Overall Weight: 3 lbs

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Thu 16 Oct, 2003 10:17 am Post subject:

Paging myArmourys resident Scotophile.

Oh Mac!

David Stokes · Posted: Thu 16 Oct, 2003 10:43 am Post subject:

Sorry Nathan
I was going to post a link bud, but Im ar work now and weapon retailer sights are blocked so i couldnt access the page. Im glad someone did it for me

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

I've never seen an original example,with the classic quillons, with such a short blade ..... or that perticular pommel !
It's not to say they never existed , but I've never come across one during my research ?

I swore Vince had mentioned something about one that had a shorter blade, that he'd seen, but I believe it was a cut down one ?
(I'll have to ask him )

Drummond drew these pieces ,in his Ancient Scottish Weapons , 1881., which have a few different types of pommel , but the stats have the blades over 3 ft ( at least for the ones he noted ).

Mac

David Stokes · Posted: Thu 16 Oct, 2003 11:10 am Post subject:

WHats the deal with that 4 quiliioned Claymore?
I have acutally seen that drawing before because i remember gasping at it the first time i saw it......

Its funny you mention Vinces name because I am FINALLY wanting to contact him about possibly making me a lil something......... And a shorter claymore is what im after....... But if its extremly ahistorical i dont want it. If i wanted fantasy, Vince isnt the guy I go to, i want something historical, but i am aware that vince takes SOME liberties with peices, but its always falls under "historically possible", not fantasy.

By the way Mac, how would i go about getting in contact with Vince? Email?
Could you email me his email address please?

mines SHAGBD@msn.com

Thanks Mac!

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

Hi David

Vince's e-mail is : vevans@cybertrails.com

Last I heard he was not taking any new custom orders ..... but it doesn't hurt to express your interest , in a certain type of sword,
that way if he does one he'll keep you in mind !

Best of luck , Mac

David Stokes · Posted: Thu 16 Oct, 2003 11:32 am Post subject:

Sure thing Mac!

I spoke with Vince about this at the Atlanta Blade show....

As far as 100% customs go, No, but he said he takes "suggestions" is i beleive the way he stated it, he made it clear he will quickly voice his opinion on a idea....

E.B. Erickson · Industry Professional

Hi everyone,
Speaking of Vince, he's got a photo of that wierd 4-quillioned claymore, but I don't remember in which museum he took the picture.

--ElJay

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Would you refer to those quillons as quatrequatrefoils? Wink

Mac, didn't you post a pic of the original of that four quilloned sword on SFI? Maybe it was someone else, but I could have sworn it was you.

As I recall, it had a Narwal horn handle, which was curved. In fact, I thought the hilt was bent when I first saw it. A very unique piece for multiple reasons.

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

That four quillioned claymore is at the Museum of Scotland ..... and , as Eljay mentioned, Vince has pic's of it on his site !

Ron Luciano also took some pic's of it , recently , when he was visiting Scotland's fine museums !
Here are 2 he shot !

Mac

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Those photos of the Scottish Museum are all hosted in our Photo Album Database.

David Stokes · Posted: Fri 17 Oct, 2003 10:19 am Post subject:

my lord..............

whats the back story to this sword?

was the swordsmith stoned when he made it?

Jay Barron · Posted: Sat 18 Oct, 2003 9:41 am Post subject:

I believe I remember reading that the grip on that four quillioned claymore is a carved walrus tusk which would account for the curve. Weird sword. I'll bet it weighs a ton.

Shawn Mulock · Posted: Sun 26 Oct, 2003 3:09 pm Post subject: