Antique Dirk

[McMurdo]

Thanks for the link Phil.

[Arlen]

A beautiful piece.
You still get the odd Forsyth article in the antique stores here.
From what I recall, they were highly prized.

[beloitpiper]

GORGEOUS

I'm drooling over it.

[ohneplo]

This might add a bit more about the Highland Outfitter, from the description of a Forsyth Dirk I acquired.

"The large Edinburgh & Glasgow department store - Forsyths. The stores were situated at 30 Princes Street, Edinburgh & Renfrew Street, corner of Gordon Street, in Glasgow. They describe themselves as 'Home and Foreign Outfitters'. The different departments of the store were - 'School Outfitters', 'University Robe Makers', 'Tartan Manufacturers' 'Bag & Trunk Makers', 'Highland Ornament Makers' and many more.

R.W. Forsyth, Ltd. - Edinburgh/Glasgow
Silver hallmarks 1926

SILVER-MOUNTED SCOTTISH DIRK, SHEATH, AND BY-KNIFE & FORK
by R.W. FORSYTH Edinburgh & Glasgow.
Silver hallmarks 1926
The 10.75" razor sharp blade is fully engraved on both sides
with decorative patterns running all along the length
and with the maker’s name
* R.W. FORSYTH Ltd / MAKERS / GLASGOW & EDINBURGH*
on both sides of the ricasso.
The blade features scalloped back edge and narrow fuller,
the pommel has amber coloured faceted stone (single faceted Cairngorm or citrine crystal) over an ebonized basket weave grip with silver mounts.
It comes in its leather covered sheath with silver mounts
with companion bye knife and bye fork en suite.
The upper silver mount is back stamped with maker’s mark
R.W. FORSYTH Ltd / Edinburgh & Glasgow
and with the silver hallmarks for STERLING SILVER 1926.
It also wears an escutcheon on the front with the owner’s engraved initials FMG.
The dirk remains in MINT condition."



The Dirk and fittings



A detail view of the blade engraving.

To date I have been unable to determine the Silversmith who crafted this beautiful work for R.W. Forsyth, LTD.

All the best,
Bruce

[Stratherrick]

What a cracker!

Envious, moi? You bet!

If only I had the money...

Cheers

Bruce

[Stratherrick]

ohneplo (Bruce)

I think that the stone in your dirk is a citrine. Having said that though, many Cairngorms are dark amber in colour. More usually, Cairngorms are darker shades and can be nearly black at times. Black Cairngorms are hard to find these days, though I do know of a semi-precious jeweller in my home town who still has a tray of them, and able to legally sell them, of sizes good enough for sgian dubh tops:

Shipton & Co Ltd, 18 Fleet St, Torquay, Devon, England, TQ1 1DB

Tel: 01803 292637

Technically, a Cairngorm stone falls under the grouping in quartzes known as smoky quartz, whereas citrines are from the grouping yellow quartzes. So, in that sense, the stone has to be either one or the other. Mind, that doesn't mean that the stone isn't from Scotland itself!

My understanding is that Cairngorms are not allowed to be mined anymore so, if you ever run across one, hold onto it!

Cheers

Bruce

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

In all probability your Forsyth dirk was made in Sheffield (or possibly London). Back in the day many firms (including Wilkinson Sword) supplied swords and dirks to all of the top quality outfitters, both in Scotland and England. These "tailor swords" were marked with the name of the retailer rather than the actual maker. All swords supplied to the trade by Wilkinson were numbered on the back of the blade at the ricasso; some, but unfortunately not all dirks were also numbered at Wilkinson's. Judging by the quality of the etching it is obvious that both of these dirks are strictly "top quality".

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

If you can find any of the Hallmarks on the dirks, they would indicate when and where the dirk was made. Hallmarking though is more of a silver smithing than I know. I do know there are loads of references on the subject though.

[Raptor]

Ah Glen, you've just made me jealous again!!!

[Jack Daw]

Ve-e-e-ery nice, Glen. Too bad it's for someone else.