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The term claymore is an anglicisation of the Gaelic claidheamh-mòr "big/great sword", attested in 1772 (as Cly-more) with the gloss "great two-handed sword". [3] The sense "basket-hilted sword" is contemporaneous, attested in 1773 as "the broad-sword now used ... called the Claymore, (i.e., the great sword)", [4] although OED observes that this usage is "inexact, but very common".
In the European High Middle Ages, the typical sword (sometimes academically categorized as the knightly sword, arming sword, or in full, knightly arming sword) was a straight, double-edged weapon with a single-handed, cruciform (i.e., cross-shaped) hilt and a blade length of about 70 to 80 centimetres (28 to 31 in).
Swords can have single or double bladed edges or even edgeless. The blade can be curved or straight. Arming sword; Dagger; Estoc; Falchion; Katana; Knife; Longsword; Messer; Rapier; Sabre or saber (Most sabers belong to the renaissance period, but some sabers can be found in the late medieval period)
These swords were often of very fine construction and quality. Scottish swords continued to use the more traditional "V" cross-guards that had been on pre-Norse Gaelic swords, culminating in such pieces as the now famous "claymore" design. This was an outgrowth of numerous earlier designs, and has become a symbol of Scotland.
The sword is 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm). [1] long, of which the blade is 4 feet 4 inches (132 cm). The blade tapers from 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) wide at the guard to 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) before the point. The sword weighs 5.95 pounds (2.70 kg). [2] The sword is currently on display in the National Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland.
Two particular types of European heavy cavalry typical of the 16th century and the first half of the 17th century were (i) the Reiter - a form of early cuirassier in half or three-quarters plate armor, armed primarily with a straight-bladed, double-edged one-handed sword (an evolution of the medieval arming sword) and a rider pistol (the first ...
Variant sword types with the standard trooper's blade, but a bowl hilt similar to that of the officers' pattern, in brass with a brass scabbard (for the Life Guards) or iron with an iron scabbard (for the Horse Guards), exist and are believed to have been issued to the other ranks of the Household regiments for use when on home (ceremonial ...
The original Sword of State of South Carolina (early 18th century) was used from 1704 to 1941, when it was stolen. [62] [63] A replacement Sword of State of South Carolina (1800) was used between 1941 and 1951. It was a cavalry sword from the Charleston Museum and was used in the War of 1812 and the American Civil War. [62]