Posted on 10/10/2006 1:15:10 PM PDT by kiriath_jearim
A SWORD-MAKER who creates weapons for Braveheart-style battle re-enactments is to take up the fight against tough new restrictions on the sale of swords.
Paul Macdonald, who owns Macdonald Armouries on Brunswick Street Lane, presented a petition of more than 2000 signatures to the Scottish Parliament last year.
The sword-maker is angry that he will face tough new restrictions on the sale of swords under a Bill, introduced last week and expected to receive parliamentary approval early next year.
Commercial sellers will have to comply with strict new licensing conditions such as keeping full records of all sales and buyers, and complying with restrictions on displaying items.
Now Mr Macdonald has collected another 500 signatures and plans to re-submit his Save Our Swords petition to parliament.
He claims his campaign has gained widespread support from other sword retailers, antique dealers and historical fencers.
Mr Macdonald makes swords costing between £300 and £2000 for collectors, museums and theatre companies. He also makes historically accurate reproductions of swords, mainly with blunt edges for the historical fencing market.
The sword-maker said he now faced having to buy a licence to sell swords which he does not consider any more of a menace to the public than kitchen or Stanley knives. He said: "My concern is that this is red tape for no reason when dealers having a licence will not affect street crime in any way."
The 34-year-old said people who commonly bought swords, such as Highland dancers, auctioneers and museum curators, had signed his petition.
"This is placing an unnecessary burden on sword-makers and I plan to officially resubmit my original petition to parliament with more signatures."
His concerns were echoed by Edinburgh antiques dealer Murdo McLeod, owner of Bow Well Antiques, on the West Bow. He said: "I think this is a knee-jerk reaction by the parliament and it is completely pointless.
"Politicians have said they do not know why people would want to own a sword in this day and age – and the answer is that they are part of our nation’s history and are very beautiful objects."
A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said knife-carrying was all too prevalent in certain parts of Scotland and had cut short and scarred too many young lives.
He said: "It is simply far too easy for these weapons to be bought and sold.
"That is why we intend to make it an offence for anyone in Scotland to sell a sword, subject to a number of exemptions, and require businesses to be licensed to sell non-domestic knives."
Should be OK as long as he makes and/or sells shields, helmets, chain mail and plate armor suits.
Thank God we can still use Poo-Sticks.
There IS a difference between carrying a knife, even a big knife, and carrying a sword.
How many people, recently, have been killed with a sword in Scotland?
I don't have a Scottish sword, but I do own a Turkish Yatagan. I bought it from a farmer in Turkey, who was using it to chop weeds.
It has the typical curved blade, inlaid with bronze decorations, including a date in Arabic, which translates to 1678 in our calendar.
The handles are of water buffalo horn, and the blade is in surprisingly excellent condition, and of Damascus steel.
It hangs over my front door.
I've often wondered if it has drawn blood in anger. I imagine it has, given its age.
Of course, Muslims can buy and own as many swords as they please/s
How does knife-carrying cut short a young life?
Am I at risk? I'm carrying a rather nice knife right now, in a special pocket in my pajamas (I'm pajamahadeen, a ceremonial knife and bunny slippers are required)
Probably not since it likely belonged to an adherent of the Religion of Peace where violence is frowned upon.
Suit case nukes are OK, but no swords… Got to have your priorities right.
"Probably not since it likely belonged to an adherent of the Religion of Peace where violence is frowned upon.
"
Given the date on the blade, I'd guess it belonged to many generations of people. I don't dislike owning it. Not even a little.
I'm sure it's at least drawn blood in accident.
C15th style European rondel dagger with oak grip. Sharp, functional
blade with engraving on one side "If yew would have me" and on the
other side, "Then kiss my maisters arse and take me." This engraving is
provenanced from an original dagger in a Scottish museum. Compleat
with wood lined leather scabbard.
Blade 15"
Overall length 20 1/4"
Good find. Your experience obtaining it makes it worth so much more to you and now the rest of us that have heard the story.
What business is it of theirs?
I have around a dozen swords, between my "sharps" and my sparring "blunts". I happen to be into research into the recreation of the Western Martial Arts legacy, but I know literally hundreds of others through social connections who own swords for sporting use and art.
This crap could kill the WMA heritage in GB.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.