Claymore

Claymore (weapon)

The period Claymore was a large sword, used double-handed, whish tended to have a crossguard which curved forward, away from the hands, ending in spatulate swellings. These were useful for trapping an opponent's blade, and, with a deft twist, disarming him (or pulling him close enough to either head-butt or stab with the dagger you had in your stocking top). Its name derived from the Gaelic claidheamh m�r or "Great Sword".

They could be up to a metre and a half long, and tended to come with a heavy pommel (partly as a counter-weight), with noticeable languets (or blood-grooves) running down the centre of the blade. There was also a later version, from the late 16th century, which was a basket hilted sword which is oftimes referred to as the broadsword.

Properly used, these were weapons that carried the weight and momentum to drive through an enemy's attack, even through his weapon's blow, and cause a wound.

Claymore (Household)

Clan Claymore or (Clan Claidheamh Mohr) is an inactive SCA household originally based in Stormhold.