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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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 Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 2:30 pm Post subject: My magnificent new silver inlaid basket-hilt by Eljay ! |
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I think it was well worth the wait, wouldn't ya say :-)
Weight - 3 lbs. 2 oz., Overall length - 39 3/4", Blade length - 33 7/8", BW - 1 5/8", Blade thickness - a hair over 1/8 thick on the spine., POB - 4 3/8" out from hilt, Scabbard weight - 10 3/4 oz., basket - 1 lb. 1 1/2 oz., Pommel - 7 oz.( about 1 3/4 dia.), Grip - 3 7/8" (weighs - 1 3/4 oz.), Capstan - 1/4 oz. * The blade is a modified Del Tin that was reworked by Eljay.
** Based on an original piece by the great John Allan of Stirling, which currently resides at The Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
You can view lots more pictures & detail of this piece at this link :
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=99...uid=717149
Many thanks to Eljay Erickson for all his hard work, dedication, & skill ..... incredible job, my friend !
Cheers, Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
Last edited by Thomas McDonald on Thu 21 Jul, 2005 12:03 pm; edited 3 times in total
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Joe Fults
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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Virtual whistle here. 
"The goal shouldn’t be to avoid being evil; it should be to actively do good." - Danah Boyd
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Gary Venable
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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Oh my........ 
I normally don't care for basket hilts that much but THAT is a work of art at the highest level.
Excuse me I feel the need to sit down.
Gary
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Patrick Kelly
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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Wow Mac that's a real beauty. It has exactly that rich yet understated appearance that I always prefer in my own stuff. I absolutely love it!
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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Jay Barron
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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That silver inlay is just incredible and so is the file work. Is the basket a copy of a historical piece?
Constant and true.
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William Goodwin
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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Brilliant Mac! Nothing short of amazing...... know you are quite chuffed with this addition.
Well done laddie...and much kudos to Eljay.
Bill
Roanoke Sword Guilde
roanokeswordguilde@live.com
"I was born for this" - Joan of Arc
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Jay Barron wrote: | | That silver inlay is just incredible and so is the file work. Is the basket a copy of a historical piece? |
Hi Jay
Aye, it is based on an original John Allan of Stirling piece, currently residing at the Museum of Scotland !
There are photos of it in my album at the following link :
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=99...;members=1
Eljay did an wonderful wonderful job on this ..... just think of how long it must have taken to cut & hammer in all that silver, as well as engrave it, not even mentioning all the work in building the sword ! Incredible job, no doubt about it !
We are so fortunate to have the likes of these talented hammermen working today ..... yes indeed, the art of the hammerman is alive & well !
Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Aaron Schnatterly
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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Pretty nice, Mac!
I took a few minutes to look at the various pictures, and thought about the methods he used to build this. All the design, the forming, the carving, inlay work, filing, polishing, finishing - and that's just the hilt components!
Damned fine at first glance, unreal when you take the time to actually appreciate the craftsmanship and skill.
Congrats!
-Aaron Schnatterly
_______________
Fortior Qui Se Vincit
(He is stronger who conquers himself.)
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Aaron Schnatterly wrote: | Pretty nice, Mac!
I took a few minutes to look at the various pictures, and thought about the methods he used to build this. All the design, the forming, the carving, inlay work, filing, polishing, finishing - and that's just the hilt components!
Damned fine at first glance, unreal when you take the time to actually appreciate the craftsmanship and skill.
Congrats! |
Hi Aaron
Yes, and even more amazing is the fact that this is not the only sword he was working on, and doing it in his spare time to boot ( Eljay is a teacher) ! No moss grows on Mr. Erickson, that is for sure !
Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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That is really beautiful, Mac.
Who was Andria Ferara? the original swordmaker, bladesmith? It seems to have been spelled a number of different ways - on one engish baskethilt c.1620 it is Andria Fearria.
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Joel Whitmore
Location: Simmesport, LA Joined: 25 Aug 2003
Posts: 342
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 4:29 pm Post subject: Gorgeous Mac |
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I saw this blade when I visited Edinburgh. This is a stunning piece you have Mac. So tell me, when does the McDonald Museun oepn 
Joel
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Roger Hooper wrote: | That is really beautiful, Mac.
Who was Andria Ferara? the original swordmaker, bladesmith? It seems to have been spelled a number of different ways - on one engish baskethilt c.1620 it is Andria Fearria. |
Hi Roger
From John Wallace's 'Scottish Swords & Dirks', 1970.
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 4:46 pm Post subject: Re: Gorgeous Mac |
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| Joel Whitmore wrote: | | I saw this blade when I visited Edinburgh. This is a stunning piece you have Mac. So tell me, when does the McDonald Museum open Joel |
Hi Joel
It's always open to my friends within the Sword Community .....
But ye better like claidheamh mor, else ye be bored ;-)
Yes, this original is in the Allan Family display case , upstairs (near the Doune pistol makers), at the MOS !
Mac
* Photo - Ron Luciano, 2003.
 Attachment: 48.87 KB
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Tyler Weaver
Location: Central New York Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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*whistle*
Impressive sword. Ordinarily I'm not a big fan of post-Mortuary basket hilts either, but that looks like quite the weapon.
Now, I have a question about baskets. In the late 19th century, Highland regiments apparently started swapping out the elaborate basket guards on their swords for very simple cruciform affairs when they went to war (a practice which, so I hear, they still do), complaining that the basket was interfering with their swordsmanship and generally cramping their style. Is this a load of crap brought on by the general decline in swordsmanship around then, or do baskets really mess with you when you try to do certain techniques? I can see them creating a bit of a problem if you're trying to draw your sword in a real hurry, but the Scottish were never reknowned for their iaijutsu techniques so I'm doubting this was the reason.
Aku. Soku. Zan.
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Ben Sweet
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Mac congrats on one heck of a basket  I got to check this basket out in M.B, jawdropping is what it is...You could put this basket in a glass top case on a cushion of silk it it would look just as amazing as it does with a blade..
Last edited by Ben Sweet on Fri 15 Jul, 2005 8:52 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Jay Barron
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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I actually really like the red velvet covered liner in the original sword. Mac, do you have any plans to add a liner to yours?
Constant and true.
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Tyler Weaver wrote: | *whistle*
Impressive sword. Ordinarily I'm not a big fan of post-Mortuary basket hilts either, but that looks like quite the weapon.
Now, I have a question about baskets. In the late 19th century, Highland regiments apparently started swapping out the elaborate basket guards on their swords for very simple cruciform affairs when they went to war (a practice which, so I hear, they still do), complaining that the basket was interfering with their swordsmanship and generally cramping their style. Is this a load of crap brought on by the general decline in swordsmanship around then, or do baskets really mess with you when you try to do certain techniques? I can see them creating a bit of a problem if you're trying to draw your sword in a real hurry, but the Scottish were never reknowned for their iaijutsu techniques so I'm doubting this was the reason. |
Hi Tyler
From Brian Robson's 'Swords of the British Army' :
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Jay Barron wrote: | | I actually really like the red velvet covered liner in the original sword. Mac, do you have any plans to add a liner to yours? |
Hi Jay
If I could find a nice worn piece of fabric like that one, than sew it to a good piece of buff leather, I'd seriously consider adding one ! I don't care much for those red felt things they add to modern baskets ..... but something that looks like its been thru a battle or two might just compliment this one !
Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Steve Grisetti
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| Posted: Fri 15 Jul, 2005 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations, Mac, on another outstanding piece of hammerman's art!
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This is a standard topic