Scottish Swords
The story behind the evolution of the Scottish swords is like no other. Most of these swords stemmed out from the original Claymore swords, which were by nature two-handed, massive double edged swords that were used by the fierce Scottish Highlanders way back in the 16th century down to the 18th. These swords were designed to allow both slashing and cleaving techniques in fighting. Because of that, claymores were the popular weapon of choice for most highlanders, especially during the days of feuds between the English clans.
The design for these claymore swords was distinct. They sported, downward sloping armed cross-hilts that looked like a four-leaf clover (called quatrefoils) at the tips. These swords were naturally heavy and required a lot of strength in order for one to effectively wield them. They were at least four and a half feet long, with the steel blade being around four feet long. It also weighed around five or more pounds.
There were also variations of this traditional Scottish sword. There were claymore swords that were relatively smaller than the average ones and they used a basket hilt rather than a crossed one. The basket hilts were designed to effectively protect the wielder’s hand during combat. This, like the simple claymore sword, also became a popular weapon among many Scottish soldiers, and it even became symbolic in many ceremonies in the British army.
Today, these Scottish swords turned vast into variations and improvements to attract all sword collectors and enthusiasts out there looking for a bit of Scottish touch in their collection. You will find that most of the features you need to look out for when getting your own piece of Scottish sword is the hilt, because that’s where most of the design is.
But if you’re into all the specs, the Scottish sword is full of surprises as well. Don’t underestimate the design and durability of the blade. They look quite different from that of the other types of collectible swords. This alone is an indication that getting a Scottish sword will definitely give richer variation to your display of replica swords.