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jeff42nd
Pathfinder
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
February 02 2004
Status: offline
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 Posted - March 22 2004 : 5:01:03 PM
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Hi Again
I went to the Kalamazoo Living History Show this weekend and I bought a bunch of stuff.
Namely I bought a Scottish Broadsword, that I need to modify. So could someone send me some close up pictures of the basket and the scabbard?
I was told by a few Highlanders at Kzoo the sword I bought was a really good one, and many guys in their units have the same one. All I have to do is change a couple of things.
I was told that I have to modify the basket its too ornate. My basket is gold and most privates baskets are black. Also I have to remove the tassel and red "whatever you call it" stuff from inside the basket.
Since the sword comes in a medal scabbard I will have to put leather around it. What I need is a picture of the stitching of how to do that.
Please post pictures or maybe post a sight that gives good details of a Scottish Broadsword.
42nd Highlanders
Murray’s Company
Private Jeff
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SgtMunro
Soldier of the King
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
September 23 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - March 23 2004 : 12:37:53 PM
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Jeff,
Your friends at Kzoo are right, there is documentation supporting the 'japaning' of plain metal hilts to give them a black hue. Either black or 'white' steel is correct for an enlisted baskethilt sword. Before painting, ensure that you scuff the hilt entirely with steel wool, and use a good primer, so that the paint will have something to 'bite' on to. The tassle and wool or leather 'hand warmer' would not have been found on an enlisted soldiers sword, so they are also right in the removal of those items.
As to the scabbard, I do not know how your scabbard looks, but I am willing to bet it is one of those Victorian designs (Two metal rings and a drag plate on the tip). If that is the case, you will need to do a little grinding of the offending parts to ensure a uniform finish, before wrapping in leather. The easiest way that I can think of would be to use a thin 'glove weight' leather, and punch a double row of holes alog the length of both ends. The ends with the holes would be on the reverse side of the scabbard.
Before you would wrap, you would want someone who has access to a oxy-acetelene torch to braize a frog (a metal hook or stud) near the throat (opening) of the scabbard, so that you would have something to secure it to the baldric with. I prefer the frog to be on the reverse side, so that it would not show, but either side is fine. Check with your unit guys to see which they prefer.
Once that is done, you can then wrap the scabbard, and using sinew (available by the spool through many suttlers), you may 'lace it up like a tennis shoe. A few dobs of 'all purpose' adheasive helps hold the leather in place during the operation. This would give you the look of a leather covered wood scabbard.
I hope this helps, and good luck in your project...
Your Most Humble Servant,
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Serjeant-Major Duncan Munro
Capt. Thos. Graham's Coy.
42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foote
(The Black Sheep of the Black Watch)
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit"
-Or-
"Recruit locally, fight globally." |
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Scott Bubar
Colonial Militia
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - March 24 2004 : 5:32:06 PM
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Hi Jeff.
Here are a few threads from Sword Forum International dealing with Japanning of baskets, both original and recent projects using modern materials.
From the Scottish and Borders History, Culture and Life forum:
On Japaning"
Gilt Trip
A wonderful example of 'japanning' , c. 1740
Eljay Erickson Sword Arrives
And a couple of posts on the projects mentioned in the above threads in the forum:
MRL Culloden rebuild and Japanning
"japanned" MRL basket experiment
The folks on the Scottish forum eat, sleep, and drink baskethilts--at least, that is, when they're not obsessing about their period-correct garments. The forum is reenactment-oriented, and you should feel free to ask questions and ask for whatever help you need.
You asked about images. There are hundreds SFI, and I know of more elsewhere, but may I ask what it is specifically you are looking for?
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I need pictures of a Broadsword
