Lot 531
A late 18th century Military Basket Hilted Backsword of the Perthshire Highlanders
Auction: 17 August 2009 at 15:00 BST
Description
the basket composed of sheet steel pierced with thistles together with engraved thistle leaves, the front of the basket is the star of the Order of the Thistle and the number 116 surrounded by the legend 'Nemo Me Impune Lacessit', the basket is manufactured in two halves, brazed together, with small pointed/domed pommel sits in a ring formed of elements of the basket. The grooved shagreen covered grip is bound by a twist of copper wire and has iron ferrules top and bottom. The unmarked blade has a fuller running to within seven inches of the point
Dimensions
Overall length 37 1/4" Blade 31 3/4"
Footnote
Notes: The blade is very similar to the blades on swords issued earlier to the Highland Regiments and marked Jeffreys or Drury.
The 116th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Highlanders) was raised in January 1794 by John, fourth Earl of Breadalbane. In November 1794 the regiment was sent to serve in Ireland. In January 1795 it received its official number, the 116th Regiment. A mutiny broke out among the soldiers, now stationed in Dublin in August 1795 as a rumour had spread that the regiment was to be disbanded and the men sent to reinforce other units serving abroad. They rioted in the streets of Dublin for two days until other troops restored order. The regiment was officially disbanded on 23rd September 1795 and the men transferred to other units. The sword therefore must date from between January 1795, when it received its number and 1st September 1795 when the last officer joined.
Reference; The welded-Hilt Swords of the 116th Regiment of Foot, the Perthshire Highlanders' by Major D.R. Baxter in the Journal of the Arms & Armour Society Vol. VIII, No.6 December 1976