"There Are So Many Of Them!"
A "Braveheart" Sword Buyer's Guide

Article by David K. Wilson

Braveheart, the epic story of Sir William Wallace and the Scottish struggle against English domination during the Middle Ages, won the admiration of millions of filmgoers, and inspired people of Scots descent the world over. It won several awards, including the Oscar award for Motion Picture of the year for 1995.

I believe it deserves one more award: The most copied movie sword of all time.

(Photo: Right - Variant of the Braveheart movie sword with octagonal grip and different colored leather, made by Del Tin Armi Antiche of Italy. Fulvio Del Tin was the maker of the blade of the Wallace sword in the Braveheart motion picture.)

It's true; I have been able to count five different commercial sword makers who make a total of eight different variations on this sword! Seven different versions - you could slay the sassenach all week and not use the same sword! (What's a 'sessenach'? Is it like the haggis - a funny three-legged animal that runs aboot the hills? - Editor)

"Imitiation is the sincerest form of flattery", or so they say. If that's true, then hilt designer Simon Atherton and blade maker Fulvio Del Tin (who made Wallace's sword for the film Braveheart) must be very flattered. Especially when you consider that the sword Mel Gibson used in Braveheart is probably nothing like the sword the real " Willemus Wallensis" would have used in his fight against Edward I. The design has more in common with some German two-hand swords which are dated roughly a hundred years after the death of Wallace. Historical accuracy aside, there is something about the design, the austere beauty of four brutal feet of steel, the association with feats of valor and patriotism, that inspires people to want that sword.

Or maybe they just want to look like Mel Gibson.

That being said, let's take a look at these swords, these Sons of Braveheart, and do a little comparison shopping....

Marto The Spanish sword maker can boast of producing the officially Licensed Braveheart Sword (trademarked by Paramount pictures). Like most other Marto products, it is made of 420 stainless steel, and due to this fact, should be considered a display-only piece. Unlike most Marto products, it is not at all gaudy or elaborate - it is a fairly faithful replica of the movie sword, differing mainly in the guard , the terminals of which feature a tri-foil design, rather like a clover, almost a vestigal reminder of the quatrefoil designs of the much later, true Scottish Claidheamh-mor. The price on this sword ranges from around US$250 to $295.

CAS Iberia

This wholesale distributor can actually claim three different "Braveheart" style swords. The first version, the Model 068-PP Wallace sword, featured brass furniture - guard and pommel, and three exposed brass "rings" - one on the ricasso and two on the grip near the guard. The guard terminals are globe-shaped. This was one of the first commercially available versions of the Wallace sword. There were two problems with this sword, however; first, the Phillipine manufacturer apparently couldn't keep up with the demand; and second, the brass furniture did not look much like the steel pommel and guard on the movies's sword. Which led CAS-I to introduce a second model, the Model 3600-AM.

This 3600-AM version is actually produced by Art Gladius of Spain, of carbon steel - including the pommel and guard. By all accounts it is the superior sword of the two in terms of overall quality. It's an approximation of the movie sword rather than an exact copy (for instance, the guard terminals are ball-shaped, the grip is skinnier, and the leather is of a darker color than on Mel's English-chopper).

And, as if to go full-circle, there is a now Brass-hilted variant of the 3600, bringing CAS-I up to three versions of the same sword! The price on the 3600 ranges from $180 to $230.

Deepeeka

Yes, it really does seem like "Everybody wants to get into the act", and this Indian manufacturer is no exception. After doing some research, I found two different "Sir William Wallace" swords offered by these producers of inexpensive (or, are they just cheap?) swords. The first, the AH3338B, looks, on it's face, to be a close knock-off of the Marto "Official" Braveheart sword, only with a brass pommel and crossguard and a "carbon steel" blade (Funny how "carbon" is part of the sales pitch. Steel is a product of iron and carbon. If it's non-carbon it's plain ol' iron! - Editor). The second version, the AH 3338-s is similar except for the steel pommel and crossguard, and features an unusual curved notch at the tip of the blade. What is this notch for? I have no idea. Be that as it may, both versions retail around $150.

Museum Replicas Limited (Windlass Steelcrafts)

In 1996, Museum Replicas Limited (MRL) still sold swords made by Del TIn Armi Antiche, among which was the "Early Claymore", a replica of the Braveheart sword as made by Fulvio Del Tin - and as mentioned above, Del Tin was involved in crafting the actual sword swung by Mel Gibson on the big screen! Sadly, when Windlass Steelcrafts (the Indian manufacturing company which had previously supplied about half of MRL's weapons) assumed control of the company, the relationship with Del TIn was discontinued.

It seemed Windlass was ready for this, for they replaced Del Tin's version with their own - which, according to the catalog pictures, looks to be identical to DT's Braveheart sword.

The #1-156 is still available from MRL for about $285.... which leads us to:

Del Tin Armi Antiche

The Italian swordmaker Fulvio Del Tin still produces his version of the Braveheart "Broadsword", #5154. It retails for $346.

So, how do they all stack up? In my estimation, if you want the Braveheart sword, you have only one option: Del Tin. His version looks the most like the sword of the movie (check it out for yourself! Take a real close look at the crossguard, especially the terminals), which should not be a surprise. Also, there is the reputation of quality associated with Del TIn, both in materials used and his method of assembly. Sure, Marto makes the "Officially Licensed" Braveheart sword, but it's a display-only "wall hanger" piece, and besides, the guard's finials are not as close to the original as those on the Del Tin.

Deepeeka's versions are affordable, but they have a poor reputation for quality and I do not recommend them at any price. A similar statement can be made about the Windlass sword; Windlass also has an association with disappointing quality (the fact that they seem to be using a photo in their catalog of what is actually a Del Tin sword in order to advertise their WS "Early Claymore" is also irksome).

The CASI #3600 AM steel hilt might be an alternative to those who really, really have to have a sword that resembles (though not too closely) the Braveheart, yet cannot spend more than $250 on a sword -- well, it certainly beats the Deepeeka entries.

But I say if you're going to get THE Braveheart sword, live a little and spend the extra cash for the Del TIn - for, as William Wallace (or Mel Gibson) said, "Every man dies. Not every man really lives."

Editor's Note

Note that when purchasing the Del Tin 5154 Two Handed Sword ("Braveheart") that variations are available. To be sure that it is true to the look of the original, specify to your Del Tin dealer that you want a rounded handle where the hilt widens at the cross guard so that the lines of the blade progresses more naturally. Also specify that the leather wrap should be dark and of the same color on the ricasso and the hilt.

Del Tin sells through Del Tin dealers. Our "Links" Page off of our Main Menu lists Editor's Choice businesses that have proven themselves consistent and reliable and of utmost customer service.

Also, the phrase "broadsword" seems to refer specifically and exclusively to basket hilted swords as they first appeared in the mid to late 1600's (usually single edged and straight but even curved). No medieval sword seemed to carry the designation "broadsword" in historical texts. The first mention appears to be made by a 19th century collector started who applied the term without real concrete definition and thus since then the term "broadsword" stuck within the modern stage combat & fantasy communities.

About the Author

David K. Wilson (a.k.a. Karolus) is partially of Scots descent, the name "Wilson" being a sept of the Highland clan Gunn. He greatly enjoyed the movie Braveheart, despite its "artistic license" with history. And although he doesn't own a kilt, he does own a necktie with his Family tartan colors.

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