THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 163 



In a hurried examination of the Irish swords (claideam), claymores 

 which came under my observation, I found it exceedingly difficult to 

 distinguish Danish from Celtic, or the latter from early Norman. 

 If we reflect that for some 300 years the inhabitants of Ireland 

 waged an almost incessant warfare with the Baltic Vikings, both 

 Fingalls and Dubhgalls (fair and dark foreigners), and subsequently 

 with the Norman-Welsh invaders, with varied success, you may 

 readily perceive how the difficulty arises. The victors on a battle- 

 field would naturally collect and appropriate the arms obtained in 

 war, handing them down as heir-looms. In several of the illumina- 

 ted Celtic MSS. and monumental remains, the long cross-handled 

 sword, used for cutting and stabbing, is often represented. I am 

 not disposed to accept altogether the views of some antiquarians — 

 that the mere guard for the fingers and hand is quite sufficient to 

 enable us to pronounce positively, this weapon is Irish, that Danish. 



Many years ago, when I was Regimental Adjutant of H. M. S. 

 Bedfordshire Regiment, at Corfu, a discussion arose after dinner at 

 the table of Captain Domville, R. A., (an Irishman too), a very distin- 

 guished general officer in after times. The subject of discussion 

 was the origin of the Highland claymore. " Well, gentlemen, if you 

 will excuse me for a few seconds," said our host, laughingly, " we 

 may allow the old Italian himself to have a word in the matter." 

 He returned shortly after with a magnificent Andrea Ferrara clay- 

 more in remarkably fine preservation, with the maker's name 

 inscribed or engraved on the blade. My grandfather, who left Mony- 

 musk, Aberdeen, about 1740-45, considered such an inscription the 

 only test of a genuine Ferrara. The majority of the basket-hilted 

 swords in the Highlands were not made by the famous Italian arti- 

 ficer, and are merely modern imitations of his handiwork. 



I am inclined to believe the celebrated armourer borrowed the 

 idea of the hand-guard from a yet more ancient Milanese craftsman. 

 My son-in-law, Mr. George Duggan, is in possession of a Milan 

 sword I obtained at the Ionian Islands, bearing a close resemblance 

 as regards blade and guard to the Scottish weapon. I presume it 

 dates from the time when the Venetians ruled the Adriatic. The han- 

 dle plate remains complete, but a small fragment of silver was at- 

 tached to a rivet, proving conclusively that the metal ornaments had 

 been removed. 



A sword found in an old slated house, which was said to have 



