A Walter Allan basket... -- myArmoury.com

E.B. Erickson · Industry Professional

...is being auctioned off on Nov. 27 at Bonham's in London. The blade is 84cm long, de, and stamped "Andria Ferara". The estimate is between 5-7K English Pounds. Too bad I'm not independently wealthy!

--ElJay

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

Hi Eljay

That's a real beauty ! Oh to be rich instead of good looking ;-)

I've come across a few other pieces that feature some of those little keyhole designs, on the front screen !

Here's one by James Grant, which also features those diamond fillers in the forward guards ......
As you know, James studied under Walter so it's not surprising !

*Pic: Vince Evans

And here's another by the man himself , Walter Allan, minus the fwd guard fillers !

'Ol Walter was just incredible .... a true Artist ! Mac

* Pic: Charles Whitelaw, "Scottish Arms Makers" .

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Mon 27 Oct, 2003 8:25 am Post subject:

Only 5-7K pounds Mac. It's calling to you Big Grin

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

Here's the text from Bonham's auction ......

Sale: 10395 - Antique Arms & Armour, 27 Nov 2003, The Rutland Room, Knightsbridge
Lot No: 94
A Fine Scottish Basket-Hilted Broadsword
The Hilt By Walter Allan Of Stirling, Second Quarter Of The 18th Century
With tapering double-edged blade cut with three narrow fullers over most of it's length on each side, the forte stamped with various marks and 'Andria Farara' within the central fuller on each side, iron basket guard composed of waved bars of rectangular section framing a large central panel and two side panels, the former incised with pairs of circles and pierced with keyhole slots, oval and cross-like piercings between, the forward loops enclosing diamond-shaped panels each pierced with four slipped trefoils, the side panels pierced with triangles, hearts and circles, rear quillon engraved 'WA' over 'S' and with scrolled wrist-guard, fluted pommel, later leather-covered grip bound with twisted wire, and leather liner faced with red baize 84.6 cm. blade

Estimate: £5,000 to 7,000

Footnote:
Walter Allen was admitted Freeman of the Incorporation of Hammermen at Stirling in 1732 and is considered to be one of the most talented makers of Scottish basket hilts. See William Reid, 'Walter Allan, Armourer in Stirling', The Scottish Art Review, Vol. 9, No. 1 (1963), pp. 16-21 For a similar hilt See The Swords and the Sorrows, exhibition catalogue, Culloden, 1996, cat. no. 1:38, p. 42

Allen Johnson · Posted: Wed 29 Oct, 2003 3:28 am Post subject:

Is there any more info on James Grant or more examples of his blades? As a Grant I'm naturally curious, especially if he's a pupil of good ol' W.A.!

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

Allen Johnson · Posted: Thu 30 Oct, 2003 1:30 am Post subject:

Thanks a ton Mac! That'll go on the "Oh if I ever get enough money to get an amazing custom" list Happy

Alex McCracken · Posted: Thu 30 Oct, 2003 8:37 am Post subject:

Hi Mac,

Well you're famous and good looking. So as Meatloaf
would say, 2 out of 3 ain't bad, right? Happy

Thanks for posting
those pics again. It's really nice seeing the work of the
sword-slippers from Stirling again. Isn't it amazing that,
every time you think you've seen all the Walter Allens
that you think are in exhistance, an estate auction pops
up and something squirelled away for decades shows
itself? Amazing to think what all is hidden away under
the wealthiest's brandy decanters!

Eljay, thanks for the initial post too. Were there any other
photos of this sword?

Alex

E.B. Erickson · Industry Professional

Hi Alex,
Nope, that photo was it. In enlarging it a bit, I cropped off some of the blade, but not enough to lose any critical info.
By the way, your football goes in the mail tomorrow (I ended up having to make a shipping box!!!).

--ElJay