Lot 468
A SCARCE 6TH VOLUNTEER BATTALION GORDON HIGHLANDERS OFFICERS DIRK
R. & H. B. KIRKWOOD, EDINBURGH, CIRCA 1900
Scottish Silver & Applied Arts
Auction: 17 August 2016 from 12:00 BST
Description
the carved black wood handle with basket weave decoration and collet set foil backed crystal to pommel, the tapered blade with knotched back edge and double fuller, the leather covered scabbard with thistle applied mounts with chape and bi knife and fork the top mount with regiment badge
Dimensions
blade 28cm, overall length 44cm
Footnote
Note:
The Gordon Highlanders, originally formed in 1794, fought in the Second Boer War of 1899- 1902. After suffering great losses during the "Black Week" of December 1899, the British Government quickly accepted the help and services of several volunteer battalions which had been forming since the 1880s. Each company would consist of 116 men, and these new companies were titled 'Service Companies'. In order to overcome rules restricting volunteers to serve as a unit outside of the United Kingdom, each man was enlisted into the Army for the duration of his tour, and then rewarded with £5 at the termination of his service. This included the 6th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders which brought companies together from Banff, Dufftown, Keith, and Buckie. This Service Company would then go on to amalgamate with the 4th Volunteer Battalion on 1st April 1908 to form the 6th Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders (Banff and Donside).