The Basket-Hilt - Parts of the European Sword
The basket or “basket hilt” is an evolution of the earlier medieval swords where the quillons or crossguard were the primary protection for the wielders hands. The basket was found on the basket-hilt sword or early modern era broadsword. The basket shaped guard offered superior protection to the wielder by almost completely surrounding the users hand. These started out in very simple weave patterns and grew into some very ornate and elaborate designs. They were developed and continued to rise in popularity from the 16th to 18th century where they became favored by heavy Calvary up to the Napoleonic era.
The rapier had much finer blade than the broadswords and back-swords but shared similar qualities with elaborate wire “basket like” hilts that offer the same protection. The rapier would further evolve into full “cup hilts” where the weaved baskets became solid metal cups that covered the wielders hand and were impregnable by the thrust of an opponent.
Basket-Hilt Photos
These are some photo's of several different Basket-Hilt found on the European swords that we offer.
The Red Dragon HEMA Synthetic Sparring Basket Hilt Sword has been designed and tested in conjunction with English Martial Arts Academy and we are grateful for their help with this. It is great for practising techniques from George Silver and Highland Broadsword fighting manuals and a great choice of weapon for people starting out in backsword systems.
See more of the Synthetic Basket Hilt Sparring Sword
The basket on this sword has ornate scroll work with the insignia "CS" and five point star in the center.
See more of the Confederate Staff & Field Officer's Sword
The elaborate rapier basket hilt
See more of the 17th Century Italian Rapier
the button pommel on the scottish basket hilt sword
See more of the Basket-Hilted Broadsword
Though tricky on some, they can also be used to mount a basket hilt
See more of the Sword Hanger Black Finish
Our Basket-Hilt Backsword, replicated from an original in the collection of the Royal Armouries in England that dates from about 1760, has an unusual basket with twin engraved “horned beastie” plaques and a blade with twin fullers running most of its length.
See more of the Basket-Hilt Backsword - Antiqued
Early highland swords almost invariably carried the double-edged “broadsword” blade, but by the time of the Battle of Culloden (1746) the single-edged “backsword” was at least equal in popularity.
See more of the Basket-Hilt Backsword - Antiqued
It is likely that the blade of the original sword, marked “Andrea Ferara”, was made in Germany a century earlier and re-hilted as basket designs were refined.
See more of the Basket Hilt Broadsword - Antiqued
The high-carbon blade is also lightly “antiqued” to promote authenticity. The grip is covered with wire-wrapped genuine rayskin and the basket liner, like the original, is crafted in fabric-covered leather. The scabbard is leather-covered.
See more of the Basket Hilt Broadsword - Antiqued
Our Basket-Hilt Broadsword, replicated from an original in the collection of the Royal Armouries in England, carries a typical Glasgow-style hilt from the mid-18th century.
See more of the Basket Hilt Broadsword - Antiqued
The blade is crafted at Hanwei in 1065 high-carbon steel, hardened to 50HRC, which reduces edge-notching to acceptable levels while providing resilience and protection against brittleness. The scabbard is finished in matte black, ready for owner customization if desired.
See more of the Practical Basket-Hilt Broadsword
The Practical Basket-Hilt Broadsword is built for the re-enactor. The basket is identical to the edged version Basket-Hilted Broadsword, but the blade is unsharpened, with 1/16” safety edges and rounded tips, complying with the combat rules of many re-enactment societies.
See more of the Practical Basket-Hilt Broadsword