Part of a 1856 silver hilted Sgian Dubh on ebay listed as "dagger"

**Tam Piperson** · 2nd November 12, 05:43 PM

I thought this my be of interest to some of the folks here. It is what remains of what was once a very fancy dress sgian dubh that once had a hilt made from a farge cut and faceted cairngorm stone that is now sadly missing. The buy it now price on this was out of my price range given its present condition, but I would have considered it a bargain if it was still complete.

They don't make them like this anymore....

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 2nd November 12, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Tam Piperson

I thought this my be of interest to some of the folks here. It is what remains of what was once a very fancy dress sgian dubh that once had a hilt made from a farge cut and faceted cairngorm stone that is now sadly missing. The buy it now price on this was out of my price range given its present condition, but I would have considered it a bargain if it was still complete.

The don't make them like this anymore....

Well, judging by the arms engraved on the throat of the sheath, this was originally the property of MacGregor of MacGregor, and in my estimation could easily be restored to something approaching its former glory.

Now where did I leave the phone number of my bank manager?

**Tam Piperson** · 2nd November 12, 08:54 PM

This photo from O.C. Richard's 1936 Wm. Anderson's catalog shows a dirk (the one at the bottom right) made in a style that is similar to the way the MacGregor sgian dubh would have looked with its original cairngorm stone still in place:

**Tam Piperson** · 3rd November 12, 07:47 PM

After doing a bit of further research on the maker's marks on this sgian dubh, I found that the JA mark as show was used by the Edinburgh silversmith James Aitchison circa 1900-1902, so the seller of this sgian dubh is completely off in his description.

**MacCathmhaoil** · 12th January 13, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Tam Piperson

After doing a bit of further research on the maker's marks on this sgian dubh, I found that the JA mark as show was used by the Edinburgh silversmith James Aitchison circa 1900-1902, so the seller of this sgian dubh is completely off in his description.

you're right and you're wrong, sort of.
You are correct about James Aitchison of Edinburgh, the dates you have are in reference to a spoon that was identified with his mark dating from this period. He was working from the late 1880's to the early 1900's based upon identified pieces, auction results and other examples of his work that I've found. He seems to have dabbled in a number of areas, sporran cantles, ladies rings, flatware. This is the only example of a sgain by him that I've been able to locate, unlikely that this is the only one. I am sure there are one or two others in some attic or box under a bed. I am sure that the handle, if it still exists, is causing someone great deliberation as to what exactly it was a handle for!

**TheOfficialBren** · 12th January 13, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by MacCathmhaoil

you're right and you're wrong, sort of.
You are correct about James Aitchison of Edinburgh, the dates you have are in reference to a spoon that was identified with his mark dating from this period. He was working from the late 1880's to the early 1900's based upon identified pieces, auction results and other examples of his work that I've found. He seems to have dabbled in a number of areas, sporran cantles, ladies rings, flatware. This is the only example of a sgain by him that I've been able to locate, unlikely that this is the only one. I am sure there are one or two others in some attic or box under a bed. I am sure that the handle, if it still exists, is causing someone great deliberation as to what exactly it was a handle for!

Can you imagine a few lads sitting around a table intently studying this 'mysterious' handle? The speculation would be hilarious to watch. I'd love to be a fly on that wall.

:-D