Antique Dirk

[Phil]

W&J Forsyths of Glasgow were THE Gentlemen's outfitters until they went out of business 20 or 30 years ago. They also had premises in Edinburgh (look for a plaque on the corner of South St Andrew St. and Princes St.. So saying the dirk would have probably been made for them.

[McMurdo]

W&J Forsyths of Glasgow were THE Gentlemen's outfitters until they went out of business 20 or 30 years ago. They also had premises in Edinburgh (look for a plaque on the corner of South St Andrew St. and Princes St.. So saying the dirk would have probably been made for them.

Thank you Phil, I have been trying to find any information I can about the maker but have thus far drawn a blank.

[Phil]

Sorry it was R W Forsyth (don't know where I got W&J). Here is a link giving some info about them. The shop closed in 1983.
http://www.theglasgowstory.com/image.php?inum=TGSA00975

[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