Does anybody know where I can buy a Battleready baskethilt or early baskethilt for a nice price?... it has to be shipped to the Netherlands, so not too expensive please.

Greenthings Wim-Jaap

William:
Welcome to the forum, and best wishes for an enjoyable and educational experience re-enacting this great period of Scottish history.
Grendel's Cave (http://stores.ebay.com/GRENDELS-CAVE-SWORDS-DAGGERS-ARMOR) has the Paul Chen Practical Basket Hilt Claymore (http://cgi.ebay.com/PRACTICAL-BASKET-HILT-SWORD-Scottish-Claymore-By-Hanwei_W0QQitemZ6625223751QQcategoryZ20271QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), ready for re-enacting with a rounded point and radiused edge on the carbon steel blade, and nicely blackened basket and fittings on the black leather-covered scabbard.  They sell them on eBay as a Buy-it-Now item for $149.95 plus shipping ($15.95 within the USA) and you can't go wrong with Paul Chen and the Hanwei Forge.
I have seen this same claymore on other vendor's websites (http://www.swordarmory.com/medieval_swords/2059gts.htm . http://www.imperialweapons.com/swords/iberia/04agincourt.html , http://www.swordsdirect.com/scottish_swords.html , http://www.amobhitman.com/customer/home.php?cat=15&page=4) for about the same price.  I have seen and handled these claymores, and they would be my recommendation for an affordable, very usable and fine-looking basket hilt claymore.
By the way, we share a fine given name, meaning "determined."

Hello Wim,

Although I also would recomend the Hanwei practical swords I'd like to add a couple of comments. I own one of the Practical Backswords and I'm happy with it, but: The scabbard is junk! It's a plastic scabbard and is therefor completely a-historical. The fittings on the scabbard on the other hand can be taken off and used when making a leather or leather covered wood scabbard for it.
The blade is not rounded, it's more rectangular.
The liner is made of some awfull syntethic material, but is easily removed. It also looks far better without the liner.
The sword handles good and is OK balanced. It's a fast sword which is very suitable for steel-to-steel combat as reenactors practise.
For the price I recommend it highly even if it has some flaws. I like the black paint which covers the basket very much, because it looks like the "japanning" on historical basket hilts. If you choose to remove the black paint, you'll find that the steel has a brownish colour to it which also looks like the historical browning.

The backsword version (the one I've got) is based on an English cavalery basket hilted backsword from ca. 1660-1690. Considering the fact that some of the equipment used by the Jacobites (in all the uprisings) were old gear pressed in to service I think it is historically acceptable to use it for reenactment of the '45.

The broadsword is based on an original from 1700-1720 which is pretty much perfect for the 45'. I've read that it handles just as well as the backsword. And it looks quite attractive!

If you can handle the wait then Armour Class http://www.armourclass.co.uk is also a good alternative! The Early basket hilt (found here: http://www.armourclass.co.uk/Data/Pages/17Century_Main3.htm http://www.armourclass.co.uk/Data/Pages/17Century_14.htm ) is a popular weapon in the reenactment community. It's based on an original from late 1500's but does also resemble many of those which saw service in the late 1600's. It handles better then the hanwei's but it's a bit more expensive. But AC has great customer service and makes very well balanced swords!

If you're looking for an even more historically accurate sword which also is welll balanced, you can contact Donnie Shearer (a great guy!) the Mad Piper http://www.themadpiper.com

Good luck Wim!

Cheers,
Henrik

( BTW! If I were in the Netherlands reenacting I would strive to be as historically accurate as possible (just as I'd do anywhere), BUT! noone could take away my Hagel Slag!!! ) :-D :-P

Dear Wim-Jaap,
look at this pages www.kovex-ars.cz or www.armorymarek.com
The Swords are very good! And the prices are in Euro!

Slainte

Interesting! Thanks for sharing these links, Florian!
The basket hilt that Kovex Ars has looks like it's based on the 1757 regimental basket hilt, so it is not appropriate for a jacobite. But the price seems decent.
You should download the zip.-file on ArmouryMarek, it shows some different basket hilts that will fit very well for a jacobite.

Do you have any experience with these companies, Florian?

Cheers,
Henrik

Dear Henrik,
of ArmouryMarek I heard only positive one!
I has likewise downloaded the Zip. - File.
I will order my own Sword, in September with them!
At the catalog it is the No. r19_180 for 220€
(look combatsuited), with the pertinent sword sheath for 60 €.
With Kovex, the prices are not to be criticized,
however Armory Marek seems to be around some inexpensive!
Order the prices by call, or send ArmoryMarek an e-mail!
Greetings Florian  ;)

Florian,
If you get that one you'll have to post a picture of it! I'd love to see some better pics and hear your judgement of the quality.
Also that price seems very decent, if the qualite is good, that is.
I'm personally a bi more drawn to their brass basket hilt (No. r6-240). The basket looks quite a lot like original ones from around 1730 and the blade looks nice. There is something about 3 fullered blades ;)

I hope the sword suits you well!

Cheers,
Henrik

Sorry Henrik,
I did not have yet the new Zip. - File!
The sword carries the No. r19-220!
I think it is very nice.
The sword r6-240 is addressing,
however the golden basket does not please me particularly!

Slainte  ;)

I got me a nice one, through livinghistory.co.uk/forums.

It has some defects, but they are repairable.

It was very nicely priced.

Greenthings Wim-Jaap

Wim-Jaap:
Please post photos of your new claymore as soon as you can so the rest of us can drool over it!

Hehe! Aye, please do!
Do you know who produced your basket hilt, Wim?

Cheers,
Henrik

yesterday was a nice day for me!

I came home and there it was... my package from Armour class!

Finally it arrived, my brand spanking new Early baskethilt!

Me so happy!

when I get some spare time I'll make a picture!

Now I'll have to do some research on how to make me a scabbard... was thinking wood covered with leather.

and I have to make a baldric.

Anyone got any tips 'n' trics?

greenthings Wim-Jaap

Some time ago I wrote that I should get you a pattern, Wim. I'll see if I have some paper or cardboard and get to making the pattern for you. I hate forgetting to uphold my promises...

You could either make a leather covered wood scabbard, or you could make one out of tougher hide. If you make one of hide you won't have to worry if it'll break while in action. You should get a frog-hook fitted near the throat of the scabbard as well. That's the best authentic way to make sure the scabbard stays in the frog of the baldric.

Cheers,
Henrik

Hi Henrik,

I was planning on using a frog hook, dunno where to get one, but want to use one for sure.

hmmz making one of tougher hide is indeed a good option, if you run and get that tween yer feet it doesn't tackle you..... hmmmz good idea!

If you could sent me a pattern, that would be great!

Greenthings Wim-Jaap

Henrik,

Do you have pictures of your scabbard?

Greenthings Wim-Jaap

Hi Wim,

I sent you an e-mail with a few pictures. I have seen frog hooks available on some sites, but I can't remember where... I'll search and see if I can my way back to one of the sites.

Cheers,
Henrik

Thanks!

Sewing my scabbard at this very moment.

Greenthings Wim-Jaap