A RARE SCOTTISH BASKET-HILTED BROADSWORD, LATE 17TH CENTURY

with broad tapering double-edged blade, the forward portion of hollow-diamond section and the forte of hollow-hexagonal section, the central flat inlaid in latten with the inscription 'Vive Le Roy' (small losses) at the forte on each face, iron hilt of flattened-oval section bars, comprising five S-shaped bars with monsterhead terminals, each engorged on a stave forming an additional vertical bar, a loop for the reins, a pair of frontal loops beneath the knuckle-guard, and plain bun-shaped pommel, and spirally carved fishskin-covered grip (binding missing, the iron parts with areas of pitting)

92.4 cm; 36 3/8 in blade

Provenance Wallis and Wallis, 29th April 1998, lot 64 A ribbon-hilted sword with a blade of similar form, also inscribed 'Vive le Roy', was exhibited Culloden, The Swords and the Sorrows, 16th April - 20th September 1996, no. 1.45. See Norman et al 1995, p. 45.