Claidheamh Mor

OTHER NAMES:Claid-mor, Claymore, and Baskethilt
LENGTH: 34-42 inches
WEIGHT: 2-3 pounds

DESCRIPTION:
Claidheamh mor is pronounced "clay more" or "claid more" and means "Great Sword" in Gaelic. It is a single handed, double edged broad sword with a basket hilt and is sometimes simply called " Basket Hilt." Recently, a claid mor was found in the Hebrides and dated back to the early 15th century. The average weight was about 2 to 3 lbs. and was used as a cleaving and stabbing weapon, not for fencing.

With standard use starting around the early 16th century, the claymore was designed as a lighter and more easily handled replacement to the larger and sometimes unmanageable cla-d'lav. Its single-handed grip and shorter blade allowed for quicker, more precise maneuverability. It is worn at the side opposite the highlanders main hand and typically carried in a wood or leather sheath.