A RARE VICTORIAN ARGYLLSHIRE HIGHLANDERS OFFICER'S DIRK
BY MARSHALL & SONS OF EDINBURGH
Scottish Works of Art & Whisky
Auction: 16 August 2023 at 11:00 BST
Description
marked to the top mount and with registration diamond for 26th March 1864, the basket weave carved baluster handle with simple collet set pommel with foil backed crystal, the mount with Regimental name, the etched blade with Regimental name, number and royal cypher, with owner's initials stamped ‘HFCJ’, the leather-covered wooden scabbard with silver mount with XCI and Victorian cypher, set with side by side bi knife and fork
Dimensions
Blade 25.5cm long, overall 43cm
Footnote
Note:
The initials etched to the blade have made it possible to attribute this dirk as the personal dirk carried by Henry F Campbell-Johnston, who rose to the rank of Sub-Lieutenant, 5th June 1875 and Lieutenant two years later in 1877. He served in the Zulu War of 1879, was present at the battle of Ginginhlovo and relief of Ekowe and was awarded medal and bar. He was invalided home shortly after. He would later serve in Mauritius with a smaller detachment of the regiment.