[Lin Robinson]

Since there is a lot of interest in the new MR Basket Hilt right now I thought I would post something about another interesting basket hilt with a bit of a story behind it.

I got the story of this sword second hand and it isn't much of a story as far as detail but is very interesting. This sword is supposed to have been collected in Macon County, NC. Franklin, the county seat, is home to the Scottish Tartans Museum. The area is also important because of its connection to the Cherokee tribe. During the French and Indian War the Cherokees began to cause problems with the local settlers. Major James Grant and a battalion of the 77th Regiment, the Montgomery Highlanders, were sent to the area to put down the tribe, which they managed to do. Grant, who had led 300 men of the 77th to their doom in an attack on Fort Duquesne in the Fall of 1758, was given this job, probably to help rebuild his career which ordinarily would have ended with a debacle like Duquesne. At any rate he was successful and ultimately wound up retiring as a general proving that experience is invaluable in the military especially if you learn something from it.

The fact that this sword is a military issue backsword like those carried by the Highland regiments and was found in an area known to have been visited by the 77th makes it possible, at least to me, that it was at one time carried by an enlisted man of the regiment. And, as Eglinton is Montgomery territory, this has a connection to the new sword offered by MR.

The photos were given to me by the source of the information and are not very clear but I think you can readily see that this sword is an issue enlisted man's weapon.

There you have it.

[Lewis A.]

That is interesting. I've been to the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin a couple of times, nice town, beautiful area. My 4th great grandfather moved with his family to Mecklenburg Co., NC in 1777 and he joined the state militia later that year as a private in the Revolutionary War in which he served several tours of duty and was eventually promoted to a first lieutenant.

Scottish basket hilts and earlier forms of Scottish swords are of particular interest to me. The one in those photos is similar to one of the early Paul Chen backswords that I have, which I believe he must have patterned after the government issued swords supplied to the Highland regiments during the mid to late 18th century.

Speaking of basket hilts, I came across this old magazine ad on ebay earlier this evening:

[Tim Harris]

Lin, thanks for posting these. The first one in particular shows construction details that I have never seen before.

[Lin Robinson]

[Lewis A.]

[Lin Robinson]

Wasn't me. I furnished all repo swords, Lochaber Ax and a dirk, as I recall. I have never bought anything on eBay.