'Braveheart' Sword Leaves Scotland for 1st time in 700 years (William Wallace’s sword coming to NYC)

AP via Yahoo! ^ | Wed Mar 30, 8:12 AM ET Europe - AP

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LONDON - One of Scotland's national treasures, the 5-foot sword wielded by William Wallace, the rebel leader portrayed in the Academy Award-winning film "Braveheart," left its homeland for the first time in more than 700 years Wednesday.

The double-handed weapon that belonged to Wallace will be the centerpiece of an exhibition at New York's Grand Central Station during Tartan Day celebrations, which begin later this week.

Mick Brown a specialist remover prepares to pack William Wallace's sword at the Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland Wednesday March 30, 2005. The sword will leave Scotland Wednesday for the first time in more than 700 years, travelling to the United States as part of the country's Tartan Day celebrations being held in April. Members of Stirling Council met earlier this month to decide whether to allow the national treasure make the trip to New York, where it will form the centerpiece of an exhibition. (AP Photo/Andrew Milligan, PA)

This year marks the 700th anniversary of the execution of Wallace, who led the Scots in their battle to free themselves from English rule and whose story was brought to the screen by Mel Gibson in the 1995 film "Braveheart." The film won five Academy Awards.

"This is an historic moment. It is the first time in 700 years that a relic of this importance has left these shores," said Colin O'Brien, a Scottish official accompanying the sword to the United States.

The 6-pound weapon will be returned to its home at the National Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland, after the celebrations.

Wallace's sword was kept at Dumbarton Castle for 600 years. King James IV is said to have paid for it to be given a new hilt in 1505.

[rabidralph]

I hope it doesn't get stolen.

[LexBaird]

I'd still love to know how they do it. (And make one or three myself.)

Then check out the books by this guy.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Considering the Scots' position on private ownership of weapons, it probably won't be allowed back in.

[dsc]

"As far as I know, he never did that"

Oh, your friend. I meant boys being raised in that culture.

Did your friend ever do anything similar, like delivering beer kegs?

[Darksheare]

Not many places these days where someone can apprentice for bladesmithing.

[Salamander]

Drat.
One of the "mythos" of my name is revealed....;))

I'm surprised we're not arguing over whether the current "Damascus steel" truly *is*, without the benefit of the final "sacrifical" tempering....:)

[LexBaird]

but as I recall it's rounded at the belly

Yep. That's where the soft, squishy parts are that need area to move. Armor too close against the belly restricts your diaphram, making breathing difficult.

There is a set of armor for Henry VIII, IIRC, that has two proof marks. One is a dent, then a through hole a couple of inches away.

[Salamander]

I don't think so.
If you looked at him you'd never imagine he could do it.
[I guess he was sort of like a human ant]...:)

[LexBaird]

One of the "mythos" of my name is revealed....;))

Do you know Jim Hrisoulis?

[Salamander]

If you're up for a trip, try here;

http://www.rennfest.com/mrf/

There's one swordsmith there that makes swords that you can bend into a half-circle and they snap back straight as an arrow.
He also does "Damascus" steel.
[so does hubby's buddy but he's a bit anti-social and would never apprentice anyone]...:))

[TheMom]

Cousin ping

[Darksheare]

Thanks!

[Salamander]

Nope.
Never heard of him til just now.

[Salamander]

Oh...and hubby's surname means "blacksmith" in Italian.
[well, ancient Celtic, actually]

[LexBaird]

Hubby's friend handmade me a 4 foot sword with an antler and brass grip. At a point about 2 1/2-3 inches away from the hilt, you can balance it on one finger. [he was sorta surprised when "balancing it" was the first thing I did when he handed it to me]

Dunno how he does it but although it's heavy it's like swinging a feather....:)

Well, I think you've already hit on it. If you think of a sword as a lever, then the balance point is the fulcrum. By moving your hand gripping the hilt, the blade pivots around the balance point, delivering great angular momentum and force out further on the blade. This force is further concentrated by the small area of the cutting edge at the point of impact.

[Darksheare]

Thanks!

[Darksheare]

Afraid my name means "Steep hill" in Old English.
:-/ hmm..

[Salamander]

Exactly.
And the two-handed fiver-footer has a balance point too far out.
[cheap replica...what did I expect?]...:))

[Salamander]

You'll love it.
They joust for -real-.

It's an amazing place.

[and don't miss the "steak on a stake"]...LOL!

[Hat-Trick]

"If it's not Scottish, it's Crap!"

- Stewart MacKenzie