Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a phenomenal example of a scarce Scottish Basket-Hilted Claymore sword identified to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Henry Brooke-Hunt, Seaforth Highlanders, 72nd Highlanders, and H.M. Bodyguard of the Honourable Corps of Gentleman-at-Arms. Brooke-Hunt served honorably during the Afghan War, being mentioned in despatches for his conduct during the Occupation of Kabul, also taking part in the Egyptian Expedition of 1882, being present at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir and the occupation of Zagazig and Cairo. For this, he received the medal and clasp with a bronze star. We believe that we have found a photograph of Brooke-Hunt holding this very sword.

The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterized by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' cross guards since the Late Middle Ages. In modern times, this variety of sword is also sometimes referred to as the broadsword.

The basket-hilted sword was generally in use as a military sword. True broadsword possesses a double-edged blade, while similar wide-bladed swords with a single sharpened edge and a thickened back are called backswords. Various forms of basket-hilt were mounted on both broadsword and backsword blades.

This example is in lovely condition, retaining its inner red felt basket and fringe protruding from the pommel. The grip is sharkskin with what appear to be two rows of twisted brass wire around one row of silver wire wrapped around it. The grip is in fantastic shape for its age, and the white interior of the basket is heavily stained from years of use and then storage, with some of the material ripping in spots.

The 32½” blade on this example is double-fullered and heavily etched on both sides, with an Elephant and The Duke of Albany’s Highlanders on one side, with Brooke-Hunt’s initials and the Battle Honors of the 72nd Regiment, Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders up to Afghanistan in 1880 on the other side. Considering the 72nd was amalgamated with the 78th in 1881, we can confidently date this sword to 1880-1881. The leather blade washer is still intact as well, although worn. The blade does show some oxidation and heavy wear, creating a lovely patina.

This example retains a beautiful leather & metal scabbard, with the fittings still being tight to the leather. Although it is certainly of the period, we are unsure if it is the original scabbard this sword came with, as the scabbard in the photo we found online appears different. The sword is in phenomenal shape overall.

The included binder contains a lot of research on Brooke-Hunt, including letters from the Scottish United Services Museum in the 1970s when the previous owner was trying to figure out its history. There’s also a 1960s printed history of the Queen’s Own Highlanders. A great addition that adds a great deal of character to this already phenomenal sword.

Robert Henry Brooke-Hunt was born Robert Henry Hunt on January 26th, 1846, changing his name in 1872 to Robert Henry Brooke-Hunt. He received his first commission as 2nd Lieutenant on June 30th, 1865. On July 14th, 1869, he was appointed Full Lieutenant, and 10 years later, on March 8th, 1879, he was appointed Captain and assigned to the 72nd Highlanders. He embarked this same month for service in the Afghan War, serving until January 1880 with the Karam and Kabul Field forces, seeing heavy service at the engagement at Charasiah, and in operation around Kabul.

The citation surrounding his mention in despatches is as follows:

‘The 72nd Highlanders, under the very able command of Lieutenant-Colonel Clarke, advanced with a flanking company in extended order, which was directed to crown the heights on the left. This company, under the command of Captain Hunt, soon became engaged with the enemy, who showed themselves in considerable force on the extreme summit of the ridge, which overlooked and commanded our line of advance. It was therefore imperative on the troops to gain possession of this point before the general advance could be pursued. After two hours fighting the ridge on the left was carried, and in the retreat of the enemy from the high peak, which had represented so great an obstacle to our advance, they were exposed to a very heavy cross fire, by which they experienced a considerable loss; the general advance was then immediately sounded, and the enemy’s first position was carried in the most dashing and gallant manner by the 72nd Highlanders and the men of the 5th Goorkhas and the 5th Punjab Infantry. The 72nd Highlanders, being the leading regiment, bore the brunt of the early part of the engagement on this flank, as will appear by the number of their casualties, and right well were they commanded by their several company leaders, under the able direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Clarke, who was ably assisted by Lieutenant & Adjutant Murray ... Captain Hunt [Brooke-Hunt], 72nd Highlanders, and Lieutenant Chevenix-Trench, 5th Goorkhas, also did good service on the occasion of this operation, which was ably carried out under the immediate orders of Captain Cook, V.C.’

In 1881, the 72nd Regiment, Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders amalgamated with the 78th (Highlanders) Regiment to form the 1st Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders in 1881. Shortly thereafter, in 1882, Brooke-Hunt was assigned to the 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, taking part in the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882, being present at the seizure of the Suez Canal east of Ismailia and at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, in addition to the occupation of Zagazig and Cairo (Medal & clasp; Khedive’s Star).

On 15th May, 1885, the old Queen’s and Regimental Colours of the 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders were returned to the Queen at Windsor Castle, Captain Brooke-Hunt having the honour of carrying the Queen’s Colour, and Brevet Major Ferguson the Regimental Colour, both of which were presented to the Queen by Colonel Stockwell and afterwards laid up at Windsor Castle.

He was appointed Major on September 2nd, 1885, and Lieutenant-Colonel on January 26th, 1894. On February 10th, 1896, Brooke-Hunt was appointed on the nomination of Lord Belper to be one of the Queen’s Honorable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms, a bodyguard of the British Monarch. This is a very high honor to behold. Brooke-Hunt lived a long and fruitful life following his military service, passing away on July 4th, 1939 at the age of 93. 

We recently found that Brooke-Hunt’s medal bar sold at Noonan’s Auctions in 2019, containing the Jubilee 1897, silver; Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911; Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Charasia, Kabul (Capt: R. H. Brooke-Hunt. 72nd Highrs.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (Captn. R. H. Brooke-Hunt. 1/Sea: Highrs.); Khedive’s Star 1882.

This is an outstanding example of a very scarce sword, fully identified with a binder containing decades of research. The sword comes ready for further research and display.

Dimensions:
Blade Length: 32½”
Overall Length: 38½” 
Scabbard Length: 33”