A fine, rare and early basket hilt sword (with Scottish motif in the guard) of late 16th, early 17th century date. Approx 95 cm overall with 85 cm blade. (See 'Scottish Weapons and Fortifications 1100-1800' by D.H. Caldwell [figure 89] for a somewhat related hilt. Wire bound grip with steel recurved quillons and early basket form guard with a Scottish heart form piercing to the face. The broad falchion style blade with complex fullering is struck with a maker's mark of a stylised flower and 'hog's back' stamps