A Black Watch Scottish Basket Hilt

[Interested Party]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

This really is a great example of a Black Watch basket and I've always wanted to add one of these to my collection to represent the many Scots who came to the U.S. and fought with these during the French and Indian War and American Revolution. Many of the Scottish who moved to eastern North Carolina took part in the Battle of Moore's Creek not too far from me. It is said that during the French Indian campaign (ca. 1759-60), the Scots chose to carry their basket hilts and a tomahawk axe as opposed to a musket and bayonet as most of the other troops did.

I like this sword. A basket hilt is also on my list, if the right one ever presents itself. Very interesting about the French Indian War. There were also many Scotts on the east slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The person Jose Wales was based on was of Scottish decent from down near you (West of Ashville, I believe).

[CSinTX]

Thanks everyone for all the information!

Jim, in reference to- "By 1759, it is noted that it was ordered that swords issued to privates were to be 'lettered and numbered', ("Soldiers in America" Don Troiani), for example (in this case the Highland Regiment 42/A/35) thus
A=first company; 42=Highland Regiment; 35= private #35.

The first company battalions were letters A through K; the second K-Z (?)"

Would you be able to post a picture of this page? If that's not ok, could you possibly send it to me?

I found another reference in this Morphys auction of them being marked but it specifically mentions it being done in New York.

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/...lot285996.aspx

[CSinTX]

Adding more interest to its past, it appears the crown/ Drury blade marks that are typical have been ground off and removed from mine. It doesnt appear well in pictures but there is an indentation where the marks were on each side. If you look closely, you can see where the fuller gets narrower and shallower and the top ridge wider. All from metal being removed in those areas. Seeing that crown must not have sat well with it's owner at some point in time.

I assume this was probably somewhat common of British marked items?

[CSinTX]

A paper I found on the Scottish regiments during the French and Indian War. Long but LOTS of information. Thought it fit well here as a good resource.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/cgi/viewcont...context=theses

[Jim McDougall]

As per your request,
From "Soldiers in America 1764-1865", Don Troiani, 1998, p.16.

It does not seem unlikely that a colonist would grind away any reference to the 'Crown', and of course many British weapons became those of the Colonial army during and after the Revolution.