Yesterday we talked about one of the heavy types of rapier- cruciform hilt with parrying arcs . And now talking about another group of swords, which includes severe types of swords,- the basket-hilted sword.

Interestingly, the basket hilt is almost always equipped with heavy, wide blade, often not distinguished from the medieval sword. For this reason, a rapier with a basket hilt is often called the basket-hilted sword.

Early forms of basket-hilted sword appeared in 1570. Most of them was manufactured in Germany. Unlike others rapier’s hilt, the arc developed here in a lattice basket, almost completely covering the hand. Already there is a tendency that the change of the arc cross-section from round to flat, since it provides better protection. In old Swedish inventories of these weapons are displayed as "Basket hilt in the shape of a horse's muzzle." Despite to basket hilt, these early basket-hilted sword are still very similar to other rapiers. All of them have very long parrying arcs. Noteworthy is the long, narrow head, clearly advocating the basket. As is often the case with the Swiss saber, the left hand could be used to support - here, in principle, we are talking about the bastard sword.
Since the XVII century basket swords can be divided into three different groups. One of them - the total, while the other two - regional group of Venetian Schiavona and Scottish basket-hilted sword. The most famous weapon of the general group is cut-and-thrust mortuary sword.

Most of the blades according to the application have only one blade. At the hilt entirely absent cross and basket pronounced. The cut-and-thrust mortuary swords were especially popular in England, the XVII century. On many basket guard suffered decorations, reminiscent of the decapitation of King Charles I decapitation. For this reason, the latest among collectors for this sword rooted name mortuary sword, and which is now used in international terminology.