Lot 469
A FINE ROYAL PRESENTATION GORDON HIGHLANDERS OFFICERS DIRK
BLADE SIGNED WILKINSON, PALL MALL, LONDON, LATE 19TH CENTURY
Scottish Silver & Applied Arts
Auction: 17 August 2016 from 12:00 BST
Description
mounts of scabbard unmarked, of conventional Gordon Highlander pattern with carved black wood baluster grip with oak leaf gallery and facetted foil back crystal to pommel, the blade with scalloped back edge and single fuller etched to one side 'From H.R.H The Prince of Wales, K.G., G.C.S.I. India 1875-76' and to other side with Royal crest within garter crown and with Star of India pendant with initials AE below, and small panel of Indian script, the leather covered scabbard with silver mounts with applied thistle the top mount with gold crowned Royal crest, set with bi knife and fork
Dimensions
blade, 25.5cm long, overall length 43.5cm
Footnote
Note:
This rare Royal presentation dirk was gifted by Queen Victoria's eldest son, Albert, Prince of Wales (who was later to become King Edward VII) during one of his international tours. Commencing in October 1875 and lasting for eight months, he set off on an official tour of the British Empire's sub-continental colonies.
Prince Albert held the position of Honorary Colonel of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders Regiment which he represented through his travels in India, a country the Regiment knew well from his active service there.
The Gordon Highlanders, both 75th and 92nd Regiments, were in India during the 1870's, after fighting to suppress the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58, and before fighting in the Afghan War of 1878-80.
The choice of pattern of dirk, one closely based on the Gordon Highlander officers but altered with the addition of royal insignia and presentation, must be due to the position Prince Albert held as Honorary Colonel of the regiment.
While the exact presentation is unknown it seems likely it was gifted to either a Gordon Highlander Officer for their hospitality or service given to the Prince on the tour, or a gift from Prince Albert to a dignitary or leader who he met on tour.
This tour successfully strengthened ties between the British Crown and its colonies, and established personal connections with numerous rulers and British officials. It also initiated the wider recognition of Prince Albert as a political ruler whose understanding and tireless work would earn him the title 'The Peace Maker'.