The Chieftain
Limited Edition Medieval Scottish War Sword
(Early Claymore, Type XIIIa)

By the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th C. the great warsword found a new expression and form in the Scottish highlands.

This period saw the beginning of the great scottish Claymore, whose character and unique nimbus is ever associated with the indomitable spirit of the Highland warriors. On depictions on grave slabs from the western highlands we can see its unique features already established from the beginning: a blade with little profile taper mounted with a rather long grip and the sloping guard ending with quatrefoil decorations.

The Highland warsword was usually of slightly smaller dimension than its continental cousin the great two-hander of the late 16th C. A claymore is still a very impresive weapon that is frequently mounted on a good quality blade of German manufacture. We have based our version of this early 16th C style Claymore on the XIIIa blade developed for our XIIIa war sword the Duke. The balance and heft will be very similar between these two swords.

The Chieftain will have a slightly longer grip than the Duke to follow the example of historical originals and period depictions in art. The result is a sword of dominating visual apearance. This visual impact follows through in the handling: a strong authority combined with a smooth control of edge and point.

Special care has been taken so that the blade has the same careful distribution of weight and crisp definition as can be observed in the most well preserved originals. The type XIIIa blade need not be a clumsy cousin of the somewhat slimmer XIIa warswords, as the broader point is lightened by a more acute distal taper in the outer part of the blade. The XIIIa blade that is the basis for the Chieftain and the Duke has a heft that belies its weight, yielding responsive control and effortless handling.

Because of its long grip and large blade, two handed use is probably most natural, even though the balance allows it to be wielded in one hand.

A Limited Edition Hand Crafted Collectible Sword
This sword is offered in a limited edition of only 1,000 collectible swords worldwide.

Specifications
Total length: 118 cm (46.75")
Blade length: 91.5 cm (36")
Blade width at base: 5.5 cm (2.17")
CoB: 13.3 cm (5.25")
CoP: 59 cm (23.25")
Weight: 1.8 kg (3 lbs 15.5 oz)

Sword design/specifications ©2005 Peter Johnsson.
Albion Armorers International is the sole worldwide licensee for this product