Misc.


	WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND FRIENDS FOR A REALLY GREAT YEAR IN 2012. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL AT THE GAMES IN 2013.

		The Scottish Court Sword

The Scottish Court Sword, shown above in an overall view with scabbard and the details of the hilt, is based on an original 18th c. sword owned by Irvin of Drum, chief of Clan Irvine. He was a Jacobite who was captured, tried and acquitted after Culloden. This is a beautiful sword, with a chiseled silver-plated hilt and triple edged, hollow ground blade. The original can be seen in the book, The Sword and the Sorrows. The blade is 31 inches and the overall length of the sword is 38 1/8 inches. T Swords of this type are referred to as “court swords” or “small swords” and were frequently worn to court or special events. Officers in the British army also carried them into battle although how one could parry a stroke from a claymore with one of these swords and survive is a mystery. Truly an elegant sword. Sorry but we are no longer stocking this sword because the manufacturer has raised our cost to the point that we can no longer sell it at a reasonable price.

The River Witham Sword

We love this sword and have one in our collection. The original was found int he River Witham in England. While some scholars consider it to be from the Viking age, it is more likely c. 1250 - 1300. It is 38 1/2 inches overall with a 31 1/2 inch blades. The blade is interesting in that it is is engraved, in the fuller with the mysterious inscription +NDXOXCHMDRCHDXORVI+ . To date this has not been deciphered. The rip is wood wrapped in leather and the guards and pommel are carbon steel, as is the blade. It will rust so follow our instructions on sword care which are packed with every sword we ship. Comes with a leather covered wood sheat with steel throat and drag tip. Yours for...

We are no longer stocking this sword because the manufacturer has raised our cost to the point where we can no longer sell it at a reasonable price.

The Viking Hersir Sword

Hersirs were middle level Viking warriors who made up the bulk of the war bands which raided throughout the British Isles and Europe during the Viking age. They were the shock troops who struck so much terror in the victims of their raids. This sword evokes the memory of these “Sea Kings”. The 29 inch blade is constructed of 440 stainless steel and topped with a cast metal, bronze colored, pommel and guard. The grip is wood, covered with suede leather. The sheath is wood, also covered in suede, and is equipped with straps and clips to enable you to attach it to a shoulder strap or your belt. A very attractive sword for $75 plus $10 packing and post.

The Viking Sword

We have carried a basic Viking sword almost since the first day that Bold Blades entered business and used the same supplier all that time. However, we recently found what we think is a better and slightly different version of this sword, which we now offer. The dimensions are unchanged, a 30 1/2 inch blade and an overall length of 36 1/2 inches. The wood grip is wrapped in leather. There is a brass pommel and guard. The major change is the sheath and the cross guard which is longer and more downswept than the sword we used to carry. The fuller in the blade is also deeper and better defined. We think this is a nicer looking sword than what we were carrying before and it is only $10 more at $60 plus $10 packing and post.

The Celtic War Sword and Dagger

Here are two more swords which we have carried for many years, the Celtic War Sword and Celtic War Dagger (which is more like a short sword). Your Celtic ancestors gave the Romans fits with these blades. The War Sword (left) is 30 inches overall with a 23 1/2 inch, leaf shaped blade. It has a hardwood handle with a brass guard and pommel which is known as an “anthropoid hilt” because it looks like a human being. The blade on this sword is stainless steel and sharp. Stainless can be brittle so, as we state in our disclaimer, you should not use this sword for anything except display or as a collectible. A very nice, ancient sword for just $55 plus $12 packing and post.

Pictured above and to the right is the Celtic War Dagger. With a 19 inch blade and overall lengthy of 26 1/2 inches, this is an impressive short sword. The pommel and guard are brass and the hardwood handle is fitted with brass spacers. Both these swords come with leather sheaths. Yours for $50 plus $12 packing and post.

Helms

We have several styles and periods of helmets to offer the discriminating customer. All these helms are designed for re-enactors and made by SAY or GDFB, well-known armor makers. If you want something and do not see it here please e-mail or call. Chances are we can get it.


			Nasal Helms



		Early Crusader Helm


		Gjermundbu



Great Helm



	The Kettle Hat




				Viking Spangenhelm



		The Crusader’s Helm

What you see above is a selection of helms which are available from one of our suppliers. We do not stock them regularly but they are available for direct shipment from the company and we do have some on hand occasionally. E-mail or call about availability.

All helms are equipped with leather liners and chin straps. Made from 16 gauge and 14 gauge steel, they are designed to take blows from re-enactng but, as always, we caution you about using them in this manner. As re-enactor armor they are not extremely detailed nor are they absolutely authentic. However they are well-made and look great. Whenever we take one or more of these helms to a Highland Games or festival it is always sold.

The first two helms on the top row are Nasal Helms #1 and #3. They are available in medium or large for $125 each plus $15 packing and post. Next is the Gjermundbu Helm which is based on a helm found at Gjermundbu, Norway. It is made from 14 gauge steel and comes in medium or large sizes. $150 plus $15 packing and post. Finally, on the top row, we have the Viking Spectacle Helm. Available in large only it sells for $95 plus $15 packing and post.

The second row of helms are all made from 14 gauge steel and are available in medium or large. All three are $185 each plus $15 packing and post.

Finally we have the Kettle Hat or Chapeau de Fer (Hat of Iron) worn by many men at arms. It is available in medium or large for $170 plus $15 packing and post.

In addition to the helms we can also offer a selection of mail shirts, gambesons, cloaks, plate armor, blunt weapons, bucklers and other items. E-mail or call for details.


		The Practical Viking The Practical Viking is designed for re-enactors. It has a blunt tip and wide, rounded edges. The cross guard is typical of early Scandinavian swords and the pommel is lobated. The overall length is 33 1/2 inches and he baldes i 28 inches. It weighs a bit over 2 pounds. It has a riveted tang for strength. Comes with an undecorated wooden sheath with stainless steel drag tip and throat. It can be suspended from the belt by using the carry rings. The reports we have received from users indicate this is a very sturdy sword. However, the usual disclaimer applies. If it breaks in mock combat, we are not responsible and will not refund or replace. A very reasonable $110 plus $12 packing and post buys this sword. At this point we would like to let you know that we can provide practical versions of several other swords, like the Officers’ Broadsword and Backsword and the Mortuary Hilt. Also available are practical swords designed by Tinker Pierce, Norman and Viking styles and even a Scramasax. All are made by CAS Hanwei, supplier of our higher end swords. If you are a re-enactor or plan to get into live steel fighting, call us for availability and price.

	+The Ulfberht+ This sword, with its distinctive “brazil nut” pommel, was a favorite of ours when it was available some time ago. Now it is back and looks every bit as good as it did then. Made from high quality carbon steel, the sword is 35 1/4 inches over all with a 30 1/4 inch blade which is 2 1/8 inch wide at the cross guard. It is equipped with a leather wrapped wooden grip. The blade has a pronounced fuller running most of its length, to lighten and strengthen the blade. Comes equipped with a leather sheath. According to legend Ulfberht was the first smith to make an all steel blade as opposed to the pattern-welded swords prior to his time, which was in the mid to early 10th c. The original of this sword was found in Spain many years ago, or at least that is the information that is available. The original is depicted in *Swords of the Viking Age* by Ian Pierce. A most interesting feature of this sword is the inscription +ULFBERHT+ found in the fuller on one side of the blade. On the reverse of the blade is a lattice work design. These decorations are made of pattern welded iron. May be had sharpened for an additional cost and short delay in shipment. Yours for just $200 plus $15 packing and post.

Vikings are very popular right now. If you don’t think so, look at the photos below, taken at the Loch Norman Highland Games in April

THE FIREARM IN SCOTLAND IN THE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES

The Firearm in Scotland in the 17th and 18th Centuries is the work of Lin Robinson, president of Braemore, Ltd., parent company of Bold Blades. This 122 page book is heavily illustrated with photos and drawings of original and reproduction firearms which were used in Scotland during the 17th and 18th centuries. The book, which is presented on CD ROM has a built-in feature which allows the reader to enlarge any of the photos in its pages by a simple procedure. This is especially helpful in viewing some very high-quality photos of original pistols and powder horns which were in the Shearer collection. In addition to the history of the firearms, Robinson provides information on their manufacture. Scottish-Americans will be especially interested in the section on Major Patrick Ferguson, inventor of the Ferguson rifle of Revolutionary War fame. Robinson, who bought his first black powder firearm in 1968, give tips on shooting and maintaining replica firearms and antiques. Also included is a guide to Scottish gun makers from Charles Whitelaw’s now out-of-print work on Scottish firearms.

This informative work is available for just $18.95 postpaid. (Some photos from the book are shown below)