Hammer goes down on heavily worn 18th-century Scottish sword for 20 times top estimate
A rare mid-18th century Scottish basket-hilt broadsword has sold for £5,000 at auction, far exceeding its modest £150 to £250 estimate.
The weapon is closely associated with 18th-century warfare, including the Jacobite cause and battles such as Culloden, as well as wider conflicts like the War of Austrian Succession, the Seven Years' War, and the wars of the French and American revolutions.
The sword, listed as Lot 5057, was sold by Bamfords Auctioneers and Valuers.
Despite being in poor condition, with a heavily worn blade, nicks to the cutting edge, a faded and barely readable inscription, and no scabbard, the auctioneers said examples of Scottish basket hilts dating this early are exceptionally hard to find.
While Victorian and Edwardian basket-hilt swords appear more regularly on the market, and still command high prices, genuine 18th-century examples are far rarer, particularly those predating the modern collecting period.
Auctioneers said the deliberately low estimate reflected the sword's poor condition rather than its historical significance, and was intended to encourage interest rather than deter potential buyers.
Bidding proved stronger than expected, with the final hammer price highlighting continued demand for early Scottish military edged weapons, even when examples survive in a less-than-ideal condition.
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