Claymore

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Identified with the Scot's symbol of the warrior, the term Claymore is Gaelic for "claidheamh-more" (great sword). This two-handed broadsword was used by the Scottish Highlanders against the English in the 16th century and is often confused with a Basket-hilt "broadsword" (a relative of the Italian schiavona) whose hilt completely enclosed the hand in a cage-like guard. Both swords have come to be known by the same name since the late 1700's.

The two-handed claymore was a huge weapon designed to crush through armored and unarmored opponents alike. Often as long as six feet from the tip to pommel (the hilt-end of the weapon), special arrangements were given to those warriors wielding claymores in combat because of the space needed to swing them. The claymore is characterized by a long, double edged blade and downward slanting quillons.