Lot 141
A Scottish basket hilted broadsword circa 1730
Jacobite, Stuart, and Scottish Applied Arts
Auction: 13 May 2015 at 12:00 BST
Description
by Thomas Biggart of Irvine, with patinated basket formed of flat section wavy bars with the side guards pierced with hearts, the forward guard engraved with '1M D 2 above inventory number 93' and struck at the quillon TB over I, with small wrist guard, the spiral wooden grip covered in brown hide missing its binding wire but retaining one ferrule, bun shaped pommel cut in quartered groves, the double edge blade struck with a series of long fullers
Dimensions
blade 96cm (35 inches) long
Footnote
Notes:
This sword appears to be a unique survival of a signed basket hilted sword from Irvine. The family of Biggart was long associated with fine steel work in both Kilmaurs and Irvine. The family were specialised in working with steel to a very fine quality and often combined with work in tortoiseshell. This is seen in a small group of silver and tortoiseshell cutlery, a particularly fine hunting hanger (Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery) and unqiuely seen in this instance in a basket hilted sword.
The later engraved numbering to the sword shows its continued use up to 1800 when it has been brought into military service, possibly within a volunteer or Fencibles regiment. The number likely denoting 1st Mounted Dragoons, 2nd Company, 93rd sword or soldier.