Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Officer's Dirk and Sgian

**MacAngus** · 29th August 09, 08:30 PM

Amazing stuff. The craftmanship is second to none.
I'm a freak about engraving on everything sporrans,pipes, dirks , and that is awesome

**Joel** · 29th August 09, 08:42 PM

Wow...that's a beautiful dirk.

**Jack Daw** · 30th August 09, 05:34 AM

Wow! Such beautiful knives!

**ohneplo** · 30th August 09, 05:27 PM

The Dirk and Sgian Dubh en suite were originally purchased from WM. Anderson and Sons in the mid 1880s based upon their Military Outfitters handbook of the period. The staff of their successors Kinloch Anderson were kind enough to provide prints from their oldest surviving illustrated book from 1880. The dirk design then changed in the 1890s.

The original Thin Red Line, the A&S Highlanders in the Crimean War.

Hope this provides a bit more to the dirk set story.
And finally the Sgian Dubh and the boxed set.

The tip is reputed to have been broken off in an opponent's hip bone.

Hope this didn't take up too much space.
Cheers,

Capt Bruce

**BoldHighlander** · 31st August 09, 01:20 AM

Originally Posted by ohneplo

Hope this didn't take up too much space.
Cheers,

Capt Bruce

Never!

Thanks again for sharing that bit of history

**Rollo** · 31st August 09, 05:41 AM

Stupéfiant !

**JRB** · 31st August 09, 08:10 AM

Wow! What a treasure. Thanks for posting the pics and all the info.

**McMurdo** · 31st August 09, 08:36 AM

Thanks for all the extra documentation, take up to much space? Not by a long shot, all of the extras are wonderful to see.

**Wompet** · 31st August 09, 04:36 PM

Bruce, thank you for the pictures and the information. It's these sort of details that increase my appreciation of an item such as this. The craftsmanship, the attention to detail - these stand on their own, but the documentation, the context - these add that extra little bit to appreciate.

**ohneplo** · 31st August 09, 07:55 PM

Gentlemen, your comments are very kind. I too share the enjoyment of finding those details to know what a fine piece of craftsmanship means when it lasts down through history.

Wompet, you mentioned the second Dirk seen in that somewhat dim parking lot in Atlanta. I'd hesitated to carry both into the Inn where we all met for S.E.K.S. that evening so here are some more viewable photos.

This Gentleman's Dirk was supplied through a second Highland Outfitter, the esteemed Mr. R.W. Forsyth. It was crafted of sterling silver in 1926 in Edinburgh per the Hallmarks.

The firm on Princess Street in the 1880s featured several new architectural features that made it famous in Edinburgh.

And it still exists although the firm has expired. This Dirk still attests to the Quality they supplied. I'll let these photos speak for themselves.

The chape of the scabbard carries the engraved original owner's initials F.M.G.

I'll continue this below to honor the 10 photo rule. Thanks