Macdonald Armouries-About Us

Welcome to Macdonald Armouries

Since 1998, sword cutler and master-at-arms Paul Macdonald has been making high-quality reproductions of historical weapons for reenactors, historical fencers, and collectors. As one of Europe's leading researchers and teachers of traditional martial arts, Mr. Macdonald is in a unique position to understand and recreate the tools that professional warriors staked their lives on. Weapons from Macdonald Armouries are not toys or decorative wall-hangers, but rather well-balanced, sturdy, and elegantly functional reproduction weapons. While a sword can only be as effective as the hand that wields it, these pieces are worthy instruments with which to express the art of fencing.

Macdonald Armouries keeps a small number of pieces in stock, as most work is done on a commission basis. The pictures on these pages are meant as only an example of the work that Mr. Macdonald is capable of. For price quotes, terms, and conditions, please contact Macdonald Armouries at the address below, or e-mail macarmouries@aol.com.

New! The Toledo Salamanca Rapier

New! The Inigo Montoya Rapier

About the Armourer

A 1996 graduate of Napier University, Paul Macdonald first began making swords with Castle Arms, producing mild-steel wall-hangers for the tourist market. With his growing interest in historical fencing, though, he quickly became dissatisfied with these cheap, ahistorical reproductions. In 1998, Paul Macdonald founded Macdonald Armouries to provide serious historical fencers, reenactors, and collectors with weapons worthy of the name. His work is guided by his extensive research in museums and collections throughout Europe, his experience in historical fencing, and his own sense of aesthetics. In a world of mass production and meaningless conspicuous consumption, Paul Macdonald is truly one of a rare breed: A master of his art, creating unique works of craftsmanship in the spirit of an age-old tradition.

Paul Macdonald is a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, and also a founder of the International Masters at Arms Federation. He also maintains his own school of historical Fencing, The Macdonald Academy of Arms, in Edinburgh.

At the Sign Of the Cross and Sword
Brunswick St. Lane
Edinburgh EH7 5JA
Scotland, UK
+44 (0)131 5571510

Macdonald Armouries' products are intended to be used for fencing, martial arts, historical reenactment, display, and collecting. Scottish buyers pledge that they will not use them for any illegal or nefarious purpose, save hacking up members of Parliament who vote for idiotic sword laws.