Broadsword
Reproduction
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Object number17995
TitleBroadsword
Creator James. Grant (maker)
DescriptionThis broadsword was made by James Grant of Stirling, one of only five of his swords known to survive today. It is an amazing piece of craftsmanship with an elaborate yet delicate basket-hilt, decorated with the maker’s initials JG and an S, signifying Stirling. Grant worked in the town as a journeyman under master sword maker Walter Allen. We can date our sword to around 1759, when John Grant set up his own business following Allen’s death.
Sitting between lowland Scotland and the Highlands, Stirling was well-placed to manufacture swords and other weapons for a wide area. The industry was especially successful in the first half of the 18th century, supplying arms to Highland supporters of the Jacobite cause. The blade of this sword is marked ‘God Bless James III’ – it must have been made for a supporter of Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s father, also known as James VIII of Scotland or the Old Pretender.
The failure of the 1745 Jacobite Rising was followed by the Disarming Act of 1746, which made it illegal to carry arms. This led to a decline in demand but the Stirling swordsmiths found a new market, supplying their high quality swords to officers in the Scottish regiments of the British Army.
Production placeStirling
Production date 1750
Object nameSword, Broadsword
Dimensions
blade Length: 840 mm