Scottish Swords

[Woodsheal]

The National Trust for Scotland has determined that the following are the correct terms for Scottish swords:

"claidheamh mor" - basket-hilted broadsword or "Claymore"

"claidheamh cuil" - basket-hilted backsword (single edged)

"claidheamh da laimh" - two-handed sword, often incorrectly called Claymore

The term "claybeg" is modern; there is no evidence of historic usage of "claybeg"....

[I M Kilted!]

I always thought the claymore was the large two-handed 'braveheart' sword...I consider the other a basket-hilt broadsword...I have heard it called differently though.

Check this out:

Tartan TV

They have lots of video clips about Scottish weapons and others too...

...and an article:

Scottish Highlander Weapons and War

[Andrew Green]

The above post detailing the three names of Scottish swords seems to be the most accurate at this point. There has been debates over what type is called what... but even the military I think, used the command "claymores" as the command to draw your basket hilts.
I am sooo partial to baskets myself.

[Woodsheal]

Period documents from the 17th-early 19th century use the term "claymore" for the basket-hilted sword only. Referring to two-handed great swords as claymores is, I believe, a modernism....

[sirdaniel1975]

The National Trust for Scotland has determined that the following are the correct terms for Scottish swords:

"claidheamh mor" - basket-hilted broadsword or "Claymore"

"claidheamh cuil" - basket-hilted backsword (single edged)

"claidheamh da laimh" - two-handed sword, often incorrectly called Claymore

The term "claybeg" is modern; there is no evidence of historic usage of "claybeg"....

Interesting (not doubting your statement)..... is there a NTS book with this info, I went to their website and could find nothing. I've always had an interest in blades, and have read "The Book of Sword." I didn't like it, for there were inaccuracies in my opinion with some of the histories of weapons from around the world. Particularly the Samurai.. Anyway, that book also refers to the Scottish basket hilt broadsword as the "Claymore." Acoording to my mentors (who will be un-named) that statement in that book was also inccorect.

Trying to track down the source of this contraversy has been in the back of my mind for many years now.. I'm slightly familiar with Gaelic, SLIGHTLY.. so to me your definition rings somewhat true to me..

Nice commit you had....

Daniel S. Williamson
My Website

[Woodsheal]

"The Swords and the Sorrows"; The Nat'l Trust for Scotland Trading Co., Ltd.; 1996. ISBN 0901625582

Hard to find nowadays...!

[sirdaniel1975]

"The Swords and the Sorrows"; The Nat'l Trust for Scotland Trading Co., Ltd.; 1996. ISBN 0901625582

Hard to find nowadays...!

Thank You!

[Alan H]

All righty, then. I've got that straight....or MORE straight, anyway.

Thanks for a most informtive thread, Gentlemen!

[Sir Robert]

Two problems.

1. The Gaelic "claidheamh mor" is best translated into English as "Big Sword" which could legetimately be either, niether or both.

2. The weapons in question could be one in the same. Start with a two handed broadsword and rework it into a shorter basket hilt sword as sword fashon changes. The blade from one could be the exact same as the other so that the name stays the same too.

For example the Germans called their WWII helmet a "Stahlhelm 35", today collectors see each little change as a new different helmet such as M-35, M-40, M-42, M-45. The modern names would have been quite confusing to the original wearers. Is this the case?

[michael steinrok]

I am a big fan of the Basket hilt claymore. There is an Irish Basket hilt? Really? Does anyone have a picture of this or a link?