Welcome to the Fall '99 Issue of our award-winning Magazine! This quarter's issue is lovingly entitled "Sons of Scotland". Sword Forum Magazine Online is the Internet's first magazine and discussion forum purely dedicated to the discussion of the art, forging, collecting, and martial arts practitionary use of real swords from various cultures - both modern and ancient. This is where the sword lover and the master sword smith meet and where the next generation of connoiseurs and bladesmiths are born. Adorning our Front Cover is an incredible Scottish Basket-Hilt Sword by custom knifemaker Garth Duncan. The basket is made from sterling silver and contains inscriptions on the front side while proudly bearing Garth's clan crest, as shown. The blade is an original ancient German blade. Blades of this kind were imported into Scotland in old times to be fitted as swords. When telling your friends abou this issue, or bookmarking this issue, please bookmark the front cover instead of this Table of Contents, otherwise your friends will miss the art! The URL for this edition is http://swordforum.com/fall99/ There are some new features to the e-zine. Firstly, the larger articles are now divided up into smaller sections for faster loading. Second, clicking on each article will open a new browser window for your conveni ence! This is our final issue for the Year 1999. It's our best effort this year - and our largest. See you in 2000! "Wha for Scotland's King and law Freedom's sword will strongly draw, Freeman stand, or freeman fa' Let him follow me!" - Robert Burns, 1794     Editorial Editor's Desk - A word from the Editor of Sword Forum Magazine. Industry News & Tidbits - Various things happpening around the industry. Cover Sword: Fall 1999 Sterling Silver Scottish Basket Hilt Sword - This issue's cover sword is by Garth Duncan, world reknowned for his beautiful intricate Celtic knotwork. The Cover Swords a fusion of the artistry of an ancient smith and a modern hilt-maker. Cover Article: Fall 1999 Sons of Scotland - This month's cover article is also by Garth Duncan who discusses the weapons of Scottish culture and the spirit of life that breathes freedom. By Garth Duncan Historical Swords The Sword of William Wallace - The historical sword of one of Scotland's finest sons and heroes. By Björn Hellqvist The 1828/65/68 Pattern Highland Officers Basket Hilted Broadsword - A study of the preferred sword of Highland Officers. By Peter Busch Events The 1999 Caledonian Scottish Gathering & Games - A Scottish cultural event frequented by thousands amid a sea of food, festivities and fine music. And swords! By Adrian Ko The 1999 San Francisco Token Kai - Coverage of the annual Japanese Sword Show sponsored by the Northern California Japanese Sword Club. Highlights include Samurai armor and exotic Japanese weapons. By Adrian Ko The Sydney Collectible Arms Faire - Antique militaria and more in Sydney, Australia. By Peter Busch Japanese Swords CAS Iberia "Hanwei/Chen" Katanas vs. Kris Cutlery Katanas - A follow-up to the article "Manchurian Candidates" in the March '99 issue, this article focuses in on the CAS Iberia Golden Oriole, the CAS Iberia Pract ical Katana, and contrasts performance with a Kris Cutlery 29" katana. By Adrian Ko Etiquette at Japanese Sword Shows - A beginner's guide to handling Japanese swords at a Japanese Sword Show. By Adrian Ko Spotlight Garth Duncan: For the Love of all things Scottish - The artistry of Garth Duncan, maker of this issue's Cover Sword. by Adrian Ko Michael McRae - Award-Winning Maker of Historically Accurate Scottish Dirks. by Adrian Ko Custom Scottish Basket Hilted Sword - An SFMO reader's expectations are exceeded when he asks Randal Graham to make a $600 sword geared towards performance instead of aesthetics. by Adrian Ko Swordsmanship Weapons and Fighting Methods of the Highland Scots - Journey back in time to the wars of the Scottish Highlands and examine the culture, society and battlefield tactics and techniques employed by the Sc ottish Highlanders. by Dale Seago HACA's Research Trip to England - John Clements and HACA were recently invited by Ewart Oakeshott to visit him in England. The research trip turned out to be a monumental meeting of the minds between some of Engla nd's finest experts in historical European arms. by Adrian Ko At the Movies Sword Spectacular Weekend - When stars and guest stars from Highlander: The Series meet to discuss and demonstrate fight choreography, fans have their first hands-on taste at theatrical combat. By Adr ian Ko & Genise Graham The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc - She accomplished more in her 19 years on this earth more than most could dream in a lifetime. The upcoming film starring Milla Jovovich. Directed by Luc Besson. By David K. Wilson Reviews The "Braveheart" Sword Buyer's Guide - A close examination of the multiple "Braveheart" style swords on the production market and discussion on how to find "the" closest to the original. By  David K. Wilson The Del Tin 5154 Two Handed "Braveheart" Sword - By the man who made the blade for the Wallace sword in Braveheart. By Björn Hellqvist Armour Class' Scottish Basket Hilted Sword - Made by Allan Clark in Scotland. By Adrian Ko and David K. Wilson The Del Tin Schiavonesca - Based on surviving swords of Venice but resembling an Oakeshott Type XIIIa "Sword of War". By Gus A. Trim The Del Tin 5160 Spanish Rapier - An early sixteenth century rapier based on Oakeshott's "The Sword in the Age of Chivalry" By Gus A. Trim The Arms & Armor "Braveheart" Sword - An impressive sword inspired by the Mel Gibson motion picture "Braveheart" By Adrian Ko The Arms & Armor Claymore - A Scottish-Style Claymore, great in size but not in weight. By Thomas McDonald Officially Licensed Braveheart Sword - Made by Marto of Toledo, Spain. By David K. Wilson Advertisers A Work of Art Albion Armorers Kevin Cashen Randal Graham - Dragon Fist Forge The Historical Armed Combat Association (HACA) Jose de Braga Daryl Meier - Meier Steel Sal D'Aquila - Point Gallery Christian Fletcher Medieval Military The Final Point Who are the Sons of Scotland - As the final issue of 1999 comes to a close, who indeed are the true Sons of Scotland? This is our final issue. Furture articles will be integrated into SwordForum.Com! Copyright 1999 by Sword Forum Magazine Online. All rights reserved. http://SwordForum.Com. Editor: Adrian "WarAngel" Ko - editor@swordforum.com SFMO is free to our readers and is a labor of love. We don't make a cent!