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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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 Posted: Mon 05 Jun, 2006 5:18 am Post subject: Seeking information on an unknown 'unmounted' basket-hilt ? |
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Hi Folks
Attached is a photo I came across that shows an unmounted basket-hilt that I've never seen before.
Has anyone seen this one before, or know of its whereabouts ?
The photos quality is a tad poor but It appears to be a pretty elegant inlaid/engraved piece ?
It looks to have been taken at some museum display , ?, but none that I've ever come across ?
Any help, or input, appreciated !
Cheers, Mac
 Attachment: 53.7 KB
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Henrik Bjoern Boegh
Location: Agder, Norway Joined: 03 Mar 2004
Posts: 386
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| Posted: Mon 05 Jun, 2006 9:48 am Post subject: |
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I'm sorry I can't help you with anything more useful than this:
I think it reminds me alot of the sword the new Hanwei basket hilted broadsword is based on. In Culloden - The Swords and Sorrows there is one which also resembles this one.
Anyways, thanks for sharing! It's a beautyful hilt!
Cheers,
Henrik
Constant and true.
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Steve Grisetti
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| Posted: Mon 05 Jun, 2006 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking information on an unknown 'unmounted' basket-hil |
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| Thomas McDonald wrote: | | ...It appears to be a pretty elegant inlaid/engraved piece.... |
I can't help either, Mac. But thanks for posting the photo. That hilt looks gorgeous! Lovely filework, piercings and (?) silver inlay(?)
"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Mon 05 Jun, 2006 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Henrik Bjoern Boegh wrote: | I'm sorry I can't help you with anything more useful than this:
I think it reminds me alot of the sword the new Hanwei basket hilted broadsword is based on.
In Culloden - The Swords and Sorrows there is one which also resembles this one.
Anyways, thanks for sharing! It's a beautyful hilt! Cheers, Henrik |
Thanks for your thoughts, Henrik !
I'm curious .... which example in "Culloden TSATS" did you feel resembled this one ?
It's unfortunate that the image is so poor as I swear I'm seeing a Doune influence on this Stirling hilt ?
To my eyes, it could easily have come from one of the famous Stirling workshops with embellishments & decoration possibly added by an associated craftsmen (ie: pistol maker) from Doune, or the like !
One piece that comes to mind, and could very well be by the same maker, ?, is LA 75, an unmounted, inlaid, & elaborately engraved basket-hilt, that resides at the Culloden Visitors Center, near Inverness. (see the following)
Thanks, guys ! - Mac
LA 75 - Fully engraved basket with silver inlay.
- Scottish Arms Makers, Charles E. Whitlaw, Plate V. Fig.6
"Detached basket hilt of the usual pierced design, but exceptional in quality and in state of preservation. The surface is profusely chased with floral and scroll ornament and inlaid with silver in the form of marginal lines to the panels and their piercings, also circular and lozenge shaped plaques engraved respectively with rosettes or the dot and circles ornament and leaf form. The decoration bears so strong a similarity to what is found on the best quality of iron pistols made in Doune and Stirling during the second quarter and early third quarter of the eighteenth century, that it may be safely assumed to be the work of one of the Stirling armourers whose work has been illustrated, possibly John Allan Senr." - Residing at The Culloden Visitors Center, near Inverness. Photo: Cyril Mazansky's book 'British Basket Hilted Swords' (2005) F15a, page 111.
Attachment: 93.09 KB
'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: Mon 05 Jun, 2006 7:37 pm Post subject: Re: Seeking information on an unknown 'unmounted' basket-hil |
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| Steve Grisetti wrote: | | Thomas McDonald wrote: | | ...It appears to be a pretty elegant inlaid/engraved piece.... |
I can't help either, Mac. But thanks for posting the photo. That hilt looks gorgeous! Lovely filework, piercings and (?) silver inlay(?) |
Thanks, Steve !
Aye, gorgeous sums it up nicely :-)
Slàinte, Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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GG Osborne
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| Posted: Mon 05 Jun, 2006 9:40 pm Post subject: Sword |
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Mac...you are an evil, evil man. Showing us "basket heads" this beautiful piece and not a way to get one made!! Shame!! And you Henrik, which of the Hanwei models are you referring to? I am still looking for a basket to use with the saber project. Anyone have an idea? George
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Henrik Bjoern Boegh
Location: Agder, Norway Joined: 03 Mar 2004
Posts: 386
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| Posted: Tue 06 Jun, 2006 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Mac,
Plate number 1:14 shows a highly decorated stirling hilt which has the same general shape. They don't resemble each much save for the rather simple filework on the saltire bars (guess that's what made me think they were somewhat alike in the first place). But I think the Hanwei Broadsword hilt is a tad closer (though on that one the knuckleguard is of another general shape and the cut-outs are different).
The other unmounted hilt is the closest to the mark, Mac. It has the same general shape. The filework on the knuckleguard and saltire bars look very much alike too me.
1:14 from Culloden TSATS:
Here's a pic of the Hanwei.
Another two hilts with the same simple filework on the saltire bars:
I'm sorry if it may be a bit off-topic, but the filework on the saltire bars is what caught my eye and attention.
Now, do you know if this kind of "simple" filework is exclusive to Stirling hilts? I'm somewhat convinced that it is...
Cheers,
Henrik[/quote]
Constant and true.
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Wed 07 Jun, 2006 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, Henrik
Here is another inlaid basket-hilt (on the right) that is in the similar vein as the other two !
This one is LA 155 ( Mazansky photo) which I've edited out the pommel & blade on so the focus would be basket only !
Mac
Attachment: 92.54 KB
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
Last edited by Thomas McDonald on Wed 07 Jun, 2006 6:02 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Steve Grisetti
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| Posted: Wed 07 Jun, 2006 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Thomas McDonald wrote: | Thanks, Henrik
Here is another inlaid basket-hilt that is in the similar vein as the other two !
This one is LA 155 ( Mazansky photo) which I've edited out the pommel & blade on so the focus would be basket only !
This one is attributed to John Allan of Stirling.
Mac |
Sorry, Mac. I'm a little confused. The hilt on the left is still LA 75, yes?
"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Wed 07 Jun, 2006 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Steve Grisetti wrote: | | Sorry, Mac. I'm a little confused. The hilt on the left is still LA 75, yes? |
Hi Steve
Sorry about that, yes, LA 75 is on the left, LA 155 on the right !
(I just put them side by side for comparison :-)
Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Henrik Bjoern Boegh
Location: Agder, Norway Joined: 03 Mar 2004
Posts: 386
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| Posted: Wed 07 Jun, 2006 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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Mac, do you know if the lines on the bars on the LA 155 are fluted or are they inlays?
If it is fluting isn't this unusual for Stirling hilts?
Cheers,
Henrik
Constant and true.
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GG Osborne
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| Posted: Wed 07 Jun, 2006 4:19 pm Post subject: Check this out |
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Dear Mac......Take a look at the Mad Piper website www.themadpiper.com, Donnie Shearer has an original Allan hilt to which he has access and has reproduced it. The one illustrated is the original and has silver inserts. I have a reproduction of this hilt on order with Donnie and hopefullt will have it by the end of the summer. However, I think it might be worth a look as you research the pedigree of the hilt in question. George Osborne
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Wed 07 Jun, 2006 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Henrik Bjoern Boegh wrote: | Mac, do you know if the lines on the bars on the LA 155 are fluted or are they inlays?
If it is fluting isn't this unusual for Stirling hilts? Cheers, Henrik |
Hi Henrik
Mazansky referred to them as a pair of parallel lines deeply engraved.
I'm not positive if there is any inlay between these lines, but it does appear that there is ?
(I recall Vince saying this piece was inlayed, as he examined it at the MOS reserve)
Typical Stirling hilts (narrow bars) usually do not have fluting, but there are examples of Stirling made (ie: by the Allan family) that do. These ones have a very Glasgow look to them with their flat wide fluted bars.
Mac
'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: Thu 08 Jun, 2006 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Folks
Okay, I've had my fun .... time to let you guys know about the mystery basket-hilt in that photo !
(which I blurred and did a little antiquing too )
That baskethilt, which was indeed inspired by the beautiful LA 75 at Culloden, is the work of the amazing Vince Evans !
You folks that are lucky enough to be attending the Atlanta Blade Show this June will be able to view this incredible piece of work there, along with some other jaw droppers that I was privledged to get a early bird peek at !
But no need to be reaching for your checkbook as this baby is already sold (not me, unfortuately )
Vince racked up a staggering 188.5 hours working on this one, as the extensive silver inlay & engraving was quite time consuming & tedious, and with its gorgeous pattern weld blade, & carved interlace grip, it truly makes this one a sword fit for a Highland Chieftan.
Vince also did a most wonderful job on it's design layout mixing some old elements in yet keeping it fresh & new !
Yes sir, the man is an Artist with a capital A.
Here are some other shots that show this masterpiece in all it's beautiful glory, enjoy !
Cheers (and sorry for stringing you guys along ;-) Mac
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'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
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David Wilson
Location: In a van down by the river Joined: 23 Aug 2003
Posts: 803
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| Posted: Thu 08 Jun, 2006 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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Amazing.... amazing work.... brilliant....
Why am I amazed? Of course Vince Evans is capable of such work. Of course he is.
Still....
It's not every day you see something like that, these days....
I was going to say that this was definitely the work of Walter Allen. I was certain of it.
Ol' Walt must be a little jealous, I think, wherever he is....
David K. Wilson, Jr.
Laird of Glencoe
Now available on Amazon: Franklin Posner's "Suburban Vampire: A Tale of the Human Condition -- With Vampires" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072N7Y591
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Steve Grisetti
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| Posted: Thu 08 Jun, 2006 5:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Thomas McDonald wrote: | | ...Okay, I've had my fun .... time to let you guys know about the mystery basket-hilt in that photo ! (which I blurred and did a little antiquing too ) |
  You surely pulled the wool over my eyes
| Quote: | | That baskethilt, which was indeed inspired by the beautiful LA 75 at Culloden, is the work of the amazing Vince Evans! |
Yes - work that is amazing to mere mortals, seems commonplace for Vince! What a masterpiece!
| Quote: | | You folks that are lucky enough to be attending the Atlanta Blade Show this June will be able to view this incredible piece of work there, along with some other jaw droppers that I was privledged to get a early bird peek at ! |
Maybe it's best that I can't make the Blade Show. I don't think my heart could stand it. PLEASE, SOMEONE, TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES TO SHARE WITH THE REST OF US!
"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
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Henrik Bjoern Boegh
Location: Agder, Norway Joined: 03 Mar 2004
Posts: 386
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| Posted: Fri 09 Jun, 2006 2:45 am Post subject: |
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Incredible. Truely incredible...
The research and depth of detail is what really fascinates me with Mr. Evans work.
Do you know if he has made a scabbard for this masterpiece?
Thank you for sharing these beautyful pictures, Mac!
Cheers,
Henrik
Constant and true.
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Fri 09 Jun, 2006 3:58 am Post subject: |
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| Henrik Bjoern Boegh wrote: | Incredible. Truely incredible...
The research and depth of detail is what really fascinates me with Mr. Evans work.
Do you know if he has made a scabbard for this masterpiece?
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures, Mac! Cheers,Henrik |
Hi Henrik
Aye, I was lucky to be able to stand at Culloden and watch him research this piece, listen to his thoughts and ideas thru the many months, and see this one become a reality ! I suppose you could say he does his homework but I believe it's far more than that, it's "creative passion" inspired by all that has gone before !
Vince always makes scabbards for his work . He told me with this one he wanted to keep it fairly simple, so as not to compete with the sword itself. Here is a shot of it, which I cropped & edited out of a project photo, that will give you an idea of what it looks like ..... it has a silver locket & chape. (ignore those forward guards blocking the chape, as that is another beautiful piece :-)
(I'll also include a shot of the unmounted pommel which is a gorgeous little piece all on its own :-)
Thanks, Guys, I know Vince & Grace appreciate all your nice comments ! Mac
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'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: Sat 10 Jun, 2006 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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A few more shots of this amazing sword !
(The sword weighs in at 3 lbs. 3 oz.)
Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
Last edited by Thomas McDonald on Sat 10 Jun, 2006 4:58 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Steve Grisetti
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| Posted: Sat 10 Jun, 2006 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Thomas McDonald wrote: | | ...You folks that are lucky enough to be attending the Atlanta Blade Show this June will be able to view this incredible piece of work there, along with some other jaw droppers that I was privledged to get a early bird peek at !.... |
Here is a link to Vince Evans' Blade Show Projects Picture Trail Album. Beautiful work!!
"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
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