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Basket-hilted Backsword

Dateca.1760-1772

Maker Nathaniel Jeffries

OriginEngland, London

MediumSteel, iron, wood, brass, shagreen, and leather

DimensionsOL: 38" Hilt: 7 1/2" Blade: 32" x 1 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Mitchell Arms and Military Accoutrements Fund

Object number2015-344

DescriptionBasket-hilted backsword for Scottish regiments of the British Army by Nathaniel Jeffries of London
Label TextLong known for their ferocity in combat, the traditionally-clad Highland Scotsman was officially incorporated into the British Army in 1739 with the creation of the 42nd "Highland Regiment," also famous as the "Black Watch." During the late 1750s, other Highland regiments were added as the 42nd Regiment earned the moniker "Royal Highland Regiment," by which they were known until 2006.

These Scottish regiments wore red coats like the rest of the British Army, but wore belted tartans in lieu of breeches, and bonnets instead of cocked hats. Armed with the same "Brown Bess" muskets and carbines as English and Irish soldiers, they also carried distinctive Highland pistols and basket-hilted swords too. Such distinctively uniformed soldiers were seen on many North American battlefields during the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars.

Around the middle part of the 18th century, British cutlers began mass producing their own adaptations of the usual Scottish basket hilt, copying its basic form but made from sheet metal instead of wrought components. Adding a high conical pommel, most were mounted on single-edged and single-fullered backsword blades which often bore the name of the London cutler who retailed the weapons. This example, which survives in superb condition, carries the mark of Nathaniel Jeffries, who worked at 32 Strand in said city.

MarkingsBoth sides of the blade are deeply struck with a Crown over "IEF" over "RIS." The underside of the basket is marked with either a "b" or an "h," in addition to other indistinct marks (likely those of the hilt-maker).

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