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Photos from Nathan Robinson's Collection: (Click to enlarge)





This piece has been sold and is no longer in my collection.

Vince Evans "Lowland" hilt

Circa 1570 — Border region of England and Scotland

This early basket-hilt is inspired by the swords used to protect and march on the borders of England and Scotland. The hilt, finished in a dark plum-brown color, is comprised of various bars serving as protection for the hand. The long quillions are horizontally recurved and terminate in elongated writhen-shaped conical buttons. The pommel is a large hollow sphere with deeply carved vertical fluting. It is made in two halves, brazed together, and is finished with a highly detailed tang button. The grip is tightly wrapped with nickel silver wire.

The blade, made of 5160 steel, is single-edged and has two fullers, one extending nearly the entire length to the point.

Overall length: 37.75"
Weight: 2.6 pounds
Width of guard: 8.25"
Blade: 31.5" long; 1.25" wide tapering to .75"
Fullers: 26" and 31" long
Point of Balance (PoB): 2.625" from guard
Center of Percussion (CoP): ~21" from guard

Has a wooden-cored scabbard covered in black leather with burnished steel fittings made in the style of a surviving antique of the same period.

Maker: Vince Evans of Washington

Inspired by various surviving early
basket-hilted swords such as this
one in the collection of Claude Blair.
Click to enlarge