A rare Scottish George II small sword
£2,000
Auction: 13 August 2014 at 14:00 BST
Description
maker unknown (mark obliterated), Edinburgh 1755 (probably), Assay Master Hugh Gordon, the knuckle guard and pommel with spiral decoration, the grip with alternating bands of simple ribbing interspersed with double twisted wire, with traditional shell formed hand guard with scrolling and spiral rim, with tapered triangular section colichmarde blade, the brown leather scabbard with scalloped mounts and tooled details
Dimensions
overall length 95cm, blade 78cm long
Footnote
Notes; while marked English swords of this type are not rare the same cannot be said for Scottish example. Indeed any hallmarked silver hilt / basket is rare with only a small handful recorded.
While the makers mark to this piece has been worn away it is without doubt by one of the more accomplished Edinburgh goldsmiths of the period. it is interesting to note that sword hilts are mentioned in the John Rollo account book and which would date to circa this period. While his name cannot be considered more than one of a few possible candidates it adds an interesting aside.