Scottish Swords

**Alan H** · 4th September 06, 08:57 PM

OK, I'm going to show off my almost complete ignorance, and write something about Ccottish swords. Please correct and inform me (and everyone else) if you know more!

OK... From "Bartelby.com"...definition of "claymore"

NOUN: 1. A claymore mine. 2. A large, double-edged broadsword formerly used by Scottish Highlanders.
ETYMOLOGY: Scottish Gaelic claidheamh mór, large sword : claidheamh, sword (from Old Irish claideb) + mór, great

OK, I'm familiar with the William-Wallace-type claymore...the gigantic broadsword that's as much as 5 feet long and was used two-handed:

But I was also under the impression that the "basket hilt" swords...both broadswords (two sharp edges) and backswords (one sharp edge, one thicker, dull edge) were also called claymores.....

I also know that there's a Scottish Smallsword that's generally available though various resellers. It's brought into the USA (from China) by Paul Chen.

http://therionarms.com/reenact/therionarms_c589.html

I've seen that sword at the Gig Harbor Ren Faire, and the cross-section of the blade is a *very* thick triangle....ergo it was a point weapon, not a cutting weapon

I guess my question is....what's a "claymore"?

The sword I bought was a cheap import "basket hilt claymore" purely for display. At $47 it's good for toting in the Clan Parade or to put on the floor for Scottish Dancing, but heaven forbid I take a swipe at anything with it. If I swung at a tree trunk with any ooomph behind it, I'd probably break this blade. The "real" basket hilts I"ve seen...those that take and hold an edge and are tempered enough to use in realy combat, cost more like $300 and up.

**Tullibardine** · 4th September 06, 09:05 PM

There are purists out there who insist that the Claymore is a hand-and-a-half sword approx. 60" long, worn on the back, and was actually only in common usage for about 100 years.

There are those who insist on calling a basket-hilted sword, either broadsword or backsword, as 'claybeg.' These swords have been in use for almost 500 years.

In Scotland, basket-hilts are commonly referred to as claymores, to differentiate them from other common military swords of the 1550-present day era.

Call it what you will, it's stil a Scottish sword, although there are Irish and English basket hilted swords, as well as the Venetian Schiavona, another basket-hilt variant of the 17-18th century.

And don't ever try to cut at a tree with a sword. It's meant for cuttin g people, not foliage. I've seen a beatuful 17th century katana DESTROYED by an idiot trying to cut brush with it.

**Woodsheal** · 5th September 06, 04:53 AM

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!** · 5th September 06, 04:20 PM

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** · 5th September 06, 06:58 PM

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** · 5th September 06, 07:03 PM

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** · 5th September 06, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by 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"....

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