Baldric

[Rich Hoffman]

I would like to purchase a good quality, black leather, 18th Century period correct Baldric for my Basket Hilt Broadsword. Can anyone recommend a source?

[ShaunMaxwell]

You might try:

http://boldblades.com/html/basket_hilts.html

[OC Richard]

I'm used to "baldric" referring to something else; this is the terminology I've usually seen:

A crossbelt is the black leather belt, usually with ornamental buckle, keeper, and tip, which holds up the basket-hilted sword.

A Late Victorian/Edwarian Highland Scottish crossbelt



A crossbelt being worn in the 18th century



A baldric is made of cloth (in the Regiment's facing colour), edged and embroidered with gold or silver metallic thread, emblazoned with the Regiment's Battle Honours, and is worn by the Drum Major.

Three baldrics



A baldric on the left, a crossbelt on the right; a sash can clearly be seen being worn by the piper



Though this is modern terminology. Who knows what Scots in the 17th century (or whatever) called them.

[hylander]

http://www.tattershallarms.org/gear.html

ecwb.jpg

jacobite-baldric.jpg

[Rich Hoffman]

Thanks Guys!!

[Orvis]

You could also check out the Armour Class website - I have a sword baldric from them that is authentic to the 18th c. and with which I'm very happy. My baldric is brown - don't know if AC makes it in black.

[MacRob]

I would like to purchase a good quality, black leather, 18th Century period correct Baldric for my Basket Hilt Broadsword. Can anyone recommend a source?

The G. Gedney Godwin baldric appears from the photo to be your best bet. The strap is large enough to distribute the weight on your shoulders and the frog looks like it will fit most of the swords out there right now. Bold Blades does offer some plain frog and more modern military style (rings, snaps and chain suspension) for the metal military scabbards which are smaller and less expensive. May I ask what kind of sword and the type of scabbard you have so I can advise you better?

[Oberu]

I know I must say this alot but if you've got some crafty about you then consider making one? There isn't much involved aside from picking the materials up and some simple measurements. I'm sure you have most of the tools you'd need already. I've made a few from old drawings and paintings I've seen. For around $70 USD worth of leather, dye, a buckle, and some elbow grease you can get it done. I'll try and dig up a picture or two of some or pull mine out and take some decent pictures.

[Luke MacGillie]

Sword Belts are something that interests me, Ive not been happy with any of the commercial offerings available for the last 30 some years and the custom ones, well Ive yet to find the perfect one. The biggest stumbling block is that there is not an actual Scottish one from the 18th Century that I know of. Thus everything is a best guess.

Finding a sword belt that will both support the sword, allow for a proper draw of the sword and not trip you up while walking and marching, its a unicorn for me!

I wish I had the perfect answer for your question, but I dont.

[MacRob]

Sword Belts are something that interests me, Ive not been happy with any of the commercial offerings available for the last 30 some years and the custom ones, well Ive yet to find the perfect one. The biggest stumbling block is that there is not an actual Scottish one from the 18th Century that I know of. Thus everything is a best guess.

Finding a sword belt that will both support the sword, allow for a proper draw of the sword and not trip you up while walking and marching, its a unicorn for me!

I wish I had the perfect answer for your question, but I dont.

Not much leather survives from the 18th century and earlier and illustrations and painting are not much help. However, it is not that hard, in the case of baldrics, to draw some conclusions based on the weapons they are meant to hold. There is also some support for the shape of the frog which is, IMHO, the most important part of the baldric for any sword, in those which have been developed for military use. Since the development of metal scabbards with rings to attach to baldrics by chains and snaps, the frog has become virtually non-existent as part of a baldric but there are some later baldrics (well post Culloden) which probably reflect their ancestors in the shape of the frog. The Godwin baldric appears to me to be one of the best but, to get it to fit the average sword sheath properly and securely, it is going to be necessary to tighten up the opening of the frog by additional stitching or riveting. I have made quite a few baldrics for my swords and while none are perfect, all are serviceable. I would note when you mention being tripped up by the sword, keeping your left hand in the guard (or right depending on which is your sword hand) will keep it out of the way of your legs. Once it is drawn, a wooden-lined sheath continues to be a hindrance, as I know all too well. In swords with all-leather sheaths, it is less of a problem and ancient sword sheaths may have been equipped with ties near the throat to enable you to tie up the sheath when retaining the belt in combat.

I think, to get what you want, you will have to either do it yourself or have one custom-made.