Decorative display of weapons — how do you do it?

[Chas]

The problem with mounting swords on a wall, is the actual fixing. Either the sheath is fixed to the wall so that it is a permanent holder and as such part of the wall or it is removable so that it can be worn at some time in the future

The first means that you would have to have a second sheath if you ever wanted to wear it.

If it is removable then you will need a pair of brackets. Horizontal is the easiest. Two shelf brackets with no shelf. The sword and sheath rests on them both. If you want the sword to be mounted at an angle (45^o or 30^o is the usual), then the brackets need to be modified. The bottom bracket (point end) needs to have some sort of cup affixed so that the point cannot move around. The top bracket need only be a decorative pin of some sort (the sword is only resting on it). I have seen a 6" nail used with a concho stuck to the head. This needn't cost a fortune. A small (single serving) tin can could act as a cup. A bit of re-spraying and some camouflage and no one would know.

[ShaunMaxwell]

Here's a mockup that I put together quickly to show the type of thing I'm thinking of...

[EagleJCS]

Shaun,
With that sort of arrangement, I'd lay the tartan over a sheet of 1/2" plywood, stapling/tacking it in back, then bolt your sword and targe hangers to the plywood. You can then hang the plywood from the wall, anchoring it to a stud in the wall. (This will minimize the number of wall anchors you'd need to drill into the wall).

If hanging over the mantel, I might actually run some picture-hanging wire over a ceiling joist or two as close to the wall as I could get and about center over the mantel and hang the plywood from that. Paint the wire the same color as the wall if your fireplace is like mine & has plaster/wallboard covering the brick.

[artificer]

Shaun,
With that sort of arrangement, I'd lay the tartan over a sheet of 1/2" plywood, stapling/tacking it in back, then bolt your sword and targe hangers to the plywood. You can then hang the plywood from the wall, anchoring it to a stud in the wall. (This will minimize the number of wall anchors you'd need to drill into the wall).

If hanging over the mantel, I might actually run some picture-hanging wire over a ceiling joist or two as close to the wall as I could get and about center over the mantel and hang the plywood from that. Paint the wire the same color as the wall if your fireplace is like mine & has plaster/wallboard covering the brick.

If I could add something to that I'd say that rather than just stapling or tacking the fabric I'd use a spray mount on the front face as well, Super 77 if you want it to be permanent. That way any fluctuations in humidity won't cause the fabric to sag over time.

Beyond that it shouldn't be too hard to find a block or wire armature to mount both swords through and the targe on.

ith:

[creagdhubh]

Shaun,

Here's how they had targes and broadswords mounted and displayed at a Clan Macpherson Association - England and Wales Branch, ceilidh I attended in London a few years ago. They can be seen in the distance, sorry for the lack of detail, but they do give you an overall sense of the targe/sword orientation (classical positioning). Personally, I like seeing the targe and broadswords displayed without a tartan background, but that's just me.









Best of luck,

[Nathan]

Shaun,

I like your arrangement and think it will be very smart looking. It prefer the symetry you have going to the MacPherson display in Kyle's post and think the tartan goes nicely with the red in the basket hilts. Can't wait to see the photos of the finished product.

[hylander]

These might help

http://www.bytheswordinc.com/p-4454-...er-pc-100.aspx

[Tobus]

I like the look of your mock-up, Shaun. If I were doing it, I'd likely do it the same way (swords crossed behind the targe), but I wouldn't make the tartan such a rigid square. I'd probably just make a hanger for the tartan that sits behind the targe, so the tartan fabric could drape a little more naturally. Maybe make it look like part of a plaid with a fringed bottom and a more free-flowing look. But that's just my own personal decorating style.

You could also have a custom wood-carved plaque above the assembly that says Maxwell. The possibilities there are endless. Leather, wood, iron, with or without a clan motto, above or below the targe, etc.

*edited to add: Oh, and I might be tempted to buy a reproduction Scottish pistol and mount it on there too!

[Jack Daw]

Frankly, I like they you have your intentions set up. A good friend and piper has a similar display that he mounted above one of his inner doors.

[Sir Didymous]

I like the look of your mock-up, Shaun. If I were doing it, I'd likely do it the same way (swords crossed behind the targe), but I wouldn't make the tartan such a rigid square. I'd probably just make a hanger for the tartan that sits behind the targe, so the tartan fabric could drape a little more naturally. Maybe make it look like part of a plaid with a fringed bottom and a more free-flowing look. But that's just my own personal decorating style.

You could also have a custom wood-carved plaque above the assembly that says Maxwell. The possibilities there are endless. Leather, wood, iron, with or without a clan motto, above or below the targe, etc.

*edited to add: Oh, and I might be tempted to buy a reproduction Scottish pistol and mount it on there too!

I like this idea, but another option would be to have the clan motto above the display. Mottos on Scottish arms typically are above as opposed to under like most of the heraldic world. I think it would be very distinctive, more so than say just the family name. But that's just my opinion.