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Rare Swords and Rare Steak

Posted: 20/08/18 (12:24pm)

What a wonderful last couple of weeks! The weather has taken a slight turn for the worse, but that just means we're now experiencing typical Scottish weather and it certainly hasn't dampened our enjoyment of this summer.
Sue and I spent the last two weekends touring around the antique shops in the Borders and Edinburgh and we struck pointy gold in the form of a very rare 1896 Mountain Artillery sabre. More on that later...

I also attended a couple of auctions last week. The first was on Wednesday in Edinburgh where a number of Scottish basket hilted swords were up for auction. The day was interesting but, I have to admit, very frustrating. I was outbid on all my lots and came home with nothing. It happens; but it is hard not to view it as a wasted day and to bemoan the financial cost of attending the auction too. A day away means a day not working on restoration projects and a near 100 mile round trip plus parking adds insult to injury. Oh well, it wasn't the first time and it certainly won't be the last.

I had much better success on Friday near Liverpool. I bought a nice 1796 Light Cavalry sabre with an engraved blade and a rare 1788 Bavarian Heavy Cavalry sabre, the curved blade engraved with a motto that I have yet to translate. I have a feeling that it may turn out to be something akin to "Neither draw me without reason, nor sheath me without honour." I'll keep you posted.

I also bought two other swords which I am equally pleased with. One, an ivory hilted George III 1803 flank officer's sabre complete with gilded brass mounted scabbard (although the leather is in poor condition) and a very nice William IV 1822 pattern infantry sabre with a pipe back blade, quill point and raised yelman, complete with its brass scabbard.

These are all pretty special but I have a real soft spot for the British Mountain Artillery sabre. It is the rarest of British regulation swords. There were two patterns of Mountain Artillery sword. One for Indian issue and one for British issue. The Indian pattern has a brass stirrup guard while the British pattern has a steel D-guard and is much rarer. Robert Mole of Birmingham was commissioned to make 450 of these sabres on the 9th September 1896. My sabre was made in July 1897 and is in near mint condition with matching scabbard. I have already listed it on the website. It is one of those swords that I will be both happy and sad to sell.

It hasn't been all work though. Sue and I stayed in Edinburgh on Saturday night to enjoy the buzz of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It really is an exciting time to be in the city! We were also spoiled by Sue's parents who took us out for a lovely dinner.
A week of wonderful swords rounded off with tiger prawns and rare fillet steak. The locally distilled rhubarb and ginger gin is pretty special too.
What more could a man ask for?