AN ENGLISH BASKET-HILTED BROADSWORD, the blade (point missing) with later etched, blued and gilt decoration at the forte and struck with several small orb and cross marks and inscribed twice 'Me Fecit Salingen (sic)' within the central fuller on each face, blackened iron basket guard of characteristic 'Irish' form and globular pommel encrusted overall with conventional foliage in silver (rubbed), the latter stamped with the spurious date 1401 and inlaid with a semi-circular silver band engraved 'Gordon of Nyr. Bakie', the guard with later shagreen-covered wire-bound wooden grip and buff-leather lining faced in red velvet, and silk pommel tassel, in later black leather scabbard with blackened iron mounts, the locket with frog-hook, and two rings for suspension, circa 1610

THE PROPERTY OF A LADY

Details

AN ENGLISH BASKET-HILTED BROADSWORD, the blade (point missing) with later etched, blued and gilt decoration at the forte and struck with several small orb and cross marks and inscribed twice 'Me Fecit Salingen (sic)' within the central fuller on each face, blackened iron basket guard of characteristic 'Irish' form and globular pommel encrusted overall with conventional foliage in silver (rubbed), the latter stamped with the spurious date 1401 and inlaid with a semi-circular silver band engraved 'Gordon of Nyr. Bakie', the guard with later shagreen-covered wire-bound wooden grip and buff-leather lining faced in red velvet, and silk pommel tassel, in later black leather scabbard with blackened iron mounts, the locket with frog-hook, and two rings for suspension, circa 1610
32in. blade

Exhibited

EXHIBITED:
Scottish National Exhibition, Edinburgh, 1908, No. 487
Loan Exhibition of Scottish Art & Antiquities, 27 Grosvenor Square, London, 1931, No. 536

Lot Essay

The sword appears to have been refurbished in the late 18th Century for use as a Scottish Highland military sword

A William Gordon of Nether Buckie, Banffshire is recorded in the Burgers Roll of Banff in 1663 (Annals of Banff, 2, New Spalding Club, 1893, p. 419). The inscription on the pommel presumably refers either to him or a member of his family

Sold with an old typed note reading: 'Broadsword inscribed on the hilt with the name Gordon of Nyr Buckie. The latter is said to have been the man who serving under Huntly actually slew the Bonnie Earl of Moray. at Donibristle in 1592'.

More from Arms & Armour

View All