Scottish Broadsword

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I agree with Jim-- non-functional pistols are really only clubs shaped like guns... as expensive as they are, a real steel pistol is not only cool to shoot, if you save up and buy an antique pistol, they are a hell of an investment. Generally speaking antique arms keep well ahead of the annual rate of inflation. Not that wives are terribly sympathetic to this line of arguement.

[Bugbear]

Most of my neighbors invest in canned food along with those types of things, te he. I think you can insure the items you are talking about unlike some of the investments in rare coins and so on which is a big plus.

I agree with Jim-- non-functional pistols are really only clubs shaped like guns... as expensive as they are, a real steel pistol is not only cool to shoot, if you save up and buy an antique pistol, they are a hell of an investment. Generally speaking antique arms keep well ahead of the annual rate of inflation. Not that wives are terribly sympathetic to this line of arguement.

[Chef]

Just in case any of you might be traveling with your broadsword, a word of caution. Local law in NYC forbids carrying any kind of knife over 3 inches. What kind of tizzy could the sword make?

Back in my younger days, I was into fencing, and went to many tournaments. I never had any problems traveling with swords. Of course this was pre-9/11.

As a former fencer (epee') I can't imagine any officer having a problem with someone transporting fencing equipment, assuming it wasn't being used in an inappropriate manner.

I would assume that fencing equipment carried in a case that masked what it actually is would be fine. If it can be seen as a sword I would think you might run into problems.

I have from time to time had questions from the police about my dirk (which I use for The Address). Because of that I now, at the suggestion of the police, usually carry it in a brief case. Of course if I am travelling I send it FedEx. I think they would be even unhappier about the dirk...even in a bag.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I think it's all down to attitude-- when I was with Wilkinson Sword I used to trudge around all over the place with a sword and was never hassled-- on those few occasions post 9-11 when I've had to fly with a sword it has either ridden up front in the cockpit or been checked through with my luggage. Ditto dirks.

What I have had trouble with are my medals and breast star. My medals are mouned "court style" which means they attach to my jacket by means of what looks like a 4-inch long safety pin. On two occasions I have been denied access to my flight because I refused to allow security to confiscate my medals. In both instances once the police arrived I was allowed to proceed to board. The breast star creates a different problem as it looks like some sort of kung-fu throwing thingie on the x-ray machine and, of course, security needs to take a look.

[Chef]

I think it's all down to attitude-- when I was with Wilkinson Sword I used to trudge around all over the place with a sword and was never hassled-- on those few occasions post 9-11 when I've had to fly with a sword it has either ridden up front in the cockpit or been checked through with my luggage. Ditto dirks.

I think your right to a certain extent. However in NY I think a lot depends on the attitude of the police as well. When I wore the dirk I had policemen come up to me to give me a hard time and also police who just wanted to chat about it because they liked the look of it. The police that gave me the most trouble were the Transit Police. I still wear it occasionally when I don't feel like carrying a bag but most often it is in my case.

What I have had trouble with are my medals and breast star. My medals are mouned "court style" which means they attach to my jacket by means of what looks like a 4-inch long safety pin. On two occasions I have been denied access to my flight because I refused to allow security to confiscate my medals. In both instances once the police arrived I was allowed to proceed to board.

Ahh yes. Don't we all feel safer knowing that someone is being stopped for wearing a safety pin. I've actually had a couple of kilt pins converted to post style pins (as opposed to long pins) because I had one taken away by airport security. Luckily it was a cheap one and since I would have missed my plane if I hadn't given it up, it wasn't worth the argument that time.

[Graywolf]

Purchasing a flintlock pistol that doesn't fire is an advantage. Avoids all sorts of mail shipping issues. Although flintlocks are not considered firearms under USPS regulations, trying to convince someone of this is difficult. So you order a non-firing replica made to have the pan hole drilled out to be fired. A Lot of companies make them like that for that purpose.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

er, if only I had the technical know-how to properly drill out the touch hole so that the erruption of powder in the pan would be more than just another "flash in the pan"...

[puffer]

I quite often wear a "Scots" basket hilt. (see my "intro pics)

NOTE - I wear my Basket hilts ALWAYS from a bardic.Why?? The weight of the sword & historically that is correct.

I make my own baldrics.. Why??
1 because they are cheaper tha way (less than $50.00)
2. The "commercial ones do not "hang" correctly )IMHO) Tooo great a "cant" & that causes proplems moving & hitting people with your sword

The sword in the pics is a "brass hilted "regimental" sword" (it is unsharpened) It is the one, I now wear only when I am concerned with conforming to regs that do not allow SHARPENED swords.I has a metal scabbard. here is a pic of the baldric + scabard. Note it hangs with only a slight "cant" & can be adjusted.

My current BEST sword is one from Armour Class & it is sharp.This is the one I PREFER to wear (when reg.s allow )
Here is a pic. NOTEThis not a pic of my "rig", But mine is VERY sim. My sword is on loan to friend for a wedding. In this case the scabard is in a "frog.

OKAY, where do I wear them??
1. Highland games,ML rendezvous,
2. Social occations
3. casual wear on the street (okay - some times when I am in the mood.)

Hope this helps
& to me wearing a basket hilt, is like wearing a Dirk.

Puffer

[BoldHighlander]

I still want to hear about someone successfully hiding a three and a half foot long sword in their pants or somewhere...

Any of the "Highlander" movies or tv show, though it was under their coats rather than in their pants

[BoldHighlander]

My baldric is from the Mad Piper-Donnie did a really nice job.

NICE!
I'm going to be having him make me a 2-hand claymore w/ clam shell guard for my 17th century Mackay Regt impression (30 Years War).