Little is known about the origins of Sir Williams sword for it carries no makers mark and is therefore difficult to date. We do know, however, that King James IV ordered the sword to be rehilted in 1505, so that it would be more fitting to Scotlands National Hero.
The sword, which is a traditional two handed broad sword, is approximately 66 inches in length with the blade itself being around 52 inches long. The quality of the metal used for the blade suggests that it may have been forged in Scotland, unlike other swords of the period which were often Flemish or German in origin.
It is reasonable to assume that in order to carry, let alone weild, the sword Sir William Wallace must have been a man of considerable physical, as well as virtuous, stature. In fact it is estimated that to be able to weild the sword Sir William must have been more than six feet six inches tall.
The sword was traditionally kept in Dunbarton castle until 1869 when, of course, it was more fittingly placed in the New National Wallace Monument.
