Basket-Hilted Swords and Broadswords

The basket-hilt is believed to have originated in central Europe and was known in both England and Scotland by the mid-16th century. It became popular in Scotland during the 1600's - rapidly achieving a deep nationalistic identification. Most Scotch swords utilized the long straight double-edge blade (broadsword).

In 1707 the English also adopted the basket pattern for their mounted troops. Although initially favoring the broadsword, they had come to prefer the single-edged blade (backsword) by mid-century.

The broadsword merely refers to a double-edged, straight bladed sword used primarily for cutting. Because this is the only definition for the sword, it can fall into several other sword categories including basket-hilted sword, a saber, or a horseman sword.