I think the Blue Whale theory applies here.

Looking at this Tulwar example of langet & scabbard, on Rob Miller's site:
http://www.antiqueswords.com/it10.htm
..... this strikes me as a design that might be for scabbard retention ! ?

Not being up on Indian weapons ..... do the langets ride inside or outside of the scabbard mouth ?
From the wear I'd guess outside ?

Thanks, Mac

I don't think Gavin's suggestion is too off the mark. My first thought also looking at the thread was better grip on shortening the sword by holding the ricasso. That's a complete guess though.

The idea of giving support whilst not affecting the harmonics is also really interesting.

My only other thought seeing these pictures is that the upturned crosses and the langets remind me a lot of the anthropomorphic pommels of celtic swords. Could this be a decorative feature reflecting that earlier celtic symbolic design of a man???

Tulwar langets were outside the scabbard I think, but for the claymore ones to be it would have to be a very thin scabbard or have some cut away sections at the mouth wouldn't it ?

Mac, you have some outrageously nice pieces in your collection !

Daniel

Thanks, Daniel !

A few shots that give some perspective of this swords size, as well as its langet area !

The sword is very fast, and controls easily when one hand is back near the pommel and the other down near the cross !
The leverage you get from this long handle would be quite devastating in the cut (like these swords needed more, right ;-)

Mac

That's such a nice piece. I love the simplicity of the hilt and crosses. It really brings out the functional elegance of the type (and makes me think even more about the celtic anthropomorphic designs). Who made this one , Vince Evans ? I can sort of understand the speed looking at the pics and the proportions, certainly wouldn't want to be on the wrong end of that sword. They had a nice claymore of very similar design in an island castle I visited in the summer in Barra (or was it Eriskay).

Hmmm I wonder if Mr. Evans would have any other insight into the orignal Langet question. Mac, do an unfair comparison for me, how does the VE piece handle compared to your old A&A piece pre-modification? I know it's apples and oranges and different price points but am still curious...

Patrick,

You are becoming more eliptical and oracle-like by the day. Is your retirement plan to retreat to a mountain cave, grow a long beard and make fortune-cookie style pronouncements to those who make the pilgimage to your cave ? ;) I can imagine exited and bemused supplicants walking away having been told 'My son, the claymore is as the Blue Whale's breathing hole, think on this well'

LOL

Daniel

Mac - the long two hand claymores have never appealed to me...until I saw yours. That is just beautiful.

Thanks, Guys !

Vince deserves alot of credit for this one as it's just ..... Magnificent !

Out of curiousity I played around with the photo I took and shortened the hilt up to see what it would look like !

But ya know ..... upon seeing it, I can truthfully say that I prefer the longer hilt on this one !
Something about the porportions just seem right !
(although it looks pretty darn good shorter, as well ;-)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Vince is amazing ! Mac

Here's my crude attempt at photo minipulation !