Sgian Hallmark help? - X Marks the Scot

csbdr · #1 02-05-2010, 03:33 AM

So in the course of this thread ...

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/a...889/index.html

Chas asked about the hallmarks, so I got out the loupe and found several. On the tip of the sheath there are 2 shield shaped marks, a rampant lion next to one which looks like a castle or keep? On the silver at the top of the sheath, I found those 2 followed by one with a script "C" followed by by one which was too faint to make out. Any ideas?

BTW, I spent some time polishing last night and both pieces came out stunning! I'm sick, so I went to bed without posting the "after" pic. Maybe tonight if I get a chance.

paulhenry · #2 02-05-2010, 03:48 AM

A good reference is British hallmarks
The castle mark is probably Edinburgh

Jock Scot · #3 02-05-2010, 03:57 AM

Yes probably Edinburgh(it might be Exeter or Newcastle, for various reasons I doubt it though) and IF the "C" is in a square shield shape then Edinburgh 1909 and the mark that you can't make out is probably the makers mark.GO STEADY WITH THE POLISHING!!!!!!!!

csbdr · #4 02-05-2010, 10:22 AM

Now, it looks like by that document that the C within a square is 1977, the third year the common date stamp was used. I do not have it in front of me, but I suspect, imperfect memory aside, that this may be it. The script matches. I will have to check it again when I get home and report back. Definately Edinburgh. I wish the makers mark was clear. It would be nice to know who made it. I will have to look at that more closely as well, against some pictures. Maybe I can figure it out.

csbdr · #5 02-05-2010, 10:30 AM

Actually, 1977 might explain the blade as well. It's only mark is "stainless steel" which made me question whether it had replaced at some point, but if it was made in 1977, that would be consistent. I need to look at it again....

Jock Scot · #6 02-05-2010, 11:01 AM

If my memory serves me correctly and I have not time to look it up. If it is Edinburgh(castle tower), pre 1975, one of the marks should be a thistle. Post 1975 Edinburgh(castle tower) there should be a rampant lion and no thistle. Hope this, er, well, helps!

csbdr · #7 02-05-2010, 11:23 AM

That fits as well. I have, from left to right, rampant lion, castle tower, "C", then a faint mark I can't make out. That matches the timeframes from the above document as well. Your memory is better than you let on! I think this may be dated to Edinburgh, 1977, in the end...

csbdr · #8 02-05-2010, 07:47 PM

WOW! I'm floored, I looked at this sgian against this..and I see an "R" inside a faint oval, and possibly an "A" next to it, depending on how I hold the light. I may have a piece by Robert Allison, who did make some findings for dirks and sgians. Here's the reference....

http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/M...nburgh-RT.html

This may be pretty cool....

If you look down to the r's , the "RA" with the darker background is identical, with the "A" very faint on mine. I wish I could get a picture of this. I am a fan of his work, and am very excited by this find!

csbdr · #9 02-05-2010, 08:13 PM

cThis is it....

http://www.silvercollection.it/ENGLI...R.html#1071ING

Scroll down to the "Robert Allison" section and that is a match, except the "A" is woirn, but there.