December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2024
Circa 1750-60. For another example of this hilt, see plate G18i on page 174 of "British Basket-Hilted Swords" by Cyril Mazansky. Also, see plate 44 in "Scottish Swords and Dirks" by John Wallace for another example of this hilt. He states that there is a painting titled "The Pinch of Snuff" which depicts an officer, probably of the 78th Regiment or Fraser's Regiment, with this hilt visible in the painting and attributed to being a military pattern. A similar sword is also held by the Hon. William Gordon, painted in 1766, in the uniform of the 105th(Queen's Own Royal Regiment of Highlanders). The double-edge blade is stamped with a king's head between each gap in lettering "AN DR EA" on one side and "FA RA RA" on the other. The king's head is the proof of Johannes Wounds of Solingen circa 1620?. The basket hilt is made up of thin bars forming ovals. Scroll quillon. Domed pommel. Early leather liner with exterior red wool liner. Grip wrapped with shagrin and decorated with three strands of braided brass wire. CONDITION: Blade retains a mostly dark brown patina, some scattered pitting and losses to edges. Markings very good, a couple marks on blade from cleaning attempts. Hilt retains a dark undisturbed heavy brown patina. Pommel a probably replacement. Liner shows great age and some staining and fading. Grip upside down with seam on top.