The theory of the development of the Scottish
broadsword (the Irisch-Hilted sword in England) may have been somewhat
overtaken by events, notably the discovery of several Irisch-hilted
swords which date to the 1540's, and illustrations of them in the
'50's, which predate both the earliset schiavonas and sinclairsabels.
The pre-1600 Irisch-hilted broadsword is distinguished from its later
cousins primarily by its much longer quillons. It is distinguished
from a schiavona or a sinclairsabel by its pattern of three arches,
each of three bars.
The source for the above is :Claude Blair's Scottish Weapons and
Fortifications.
Mark Anderson
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