Scottish Dirk Late 18th Century

Pukka Bundook · 16th December 2018, 02:28 PM

Jim,
Very interesting contributions from yourself. Just like we expect!
Whilst reading these, it was running through my mind how many times , and in different parts of the world, we see arms of the officer class often carried by several generations. An example would be the Japanese katana sometimes with a Very old blade, being carried in "working clothes" by officers in WW2. Indeed, expert "sniffers" were employed by well to do families after the war, to try to locate heirlooms lost along with the family member.
This dirk may well fit into this category, And fits entirely with an officer carrying an old family blade.

Jim,
If you want a link to the Grant Correspondence, I can send you one. It is quite an eye-opener regarding the 1695 (was it?) 1715 and '45 rebellions.

Best regards,
Richard.

Jim McDougall · 16th December 2018, 03:08 PM

Thank you Richard!!! and well observed on the heirloom weapons which transcended often many generations and often into many campaigns. It was that sort of pride and honor that men carried into battle, and charged their strength, courage and resolve.

In Scotland, such was profoundly the case, and while vast numbers of their beloved basket hilts were hidden away in thatch, many blades were cut down and placed in dirks. The dirk was typically overlooked in the proscriptions as it had viable purpose in utility use.

Good analogy on the Japanese swords after WWII, and there are many great examples of these heirloom Samurai blades in Showa period and military mounts. I recall speaking with one of the number of Japanese men who advertised and sought recovery of these blades taken at the end of WWII.
While these were regarded of course as souvenirs and war trophies, it was not realized that these blades were regarded quite literally as the virtual souls of the warriors who used them. I recall one instance where one Samurai blade was returned to the family from which it came and it was placed reverently in a small temple in that accord.

Pukka Bundook · 17th December 2018, 02:28 PM

A Very factual reply, Jim!
Yes, as officers supplied their own equipment, , old family accoutrements were very common.
If any of us were in this position, I think we would do Exactly the same, given the chance!
There is great comfort in a family piece, a tie to home, and at every viewing, a recall of the forbears, which could steady the nerves in times of uproar.
This would tie in very nicely with the common admonition; "Always remember who you are, and who you belong to".

Please pardon this if regarded as OT.

R.

Jim McDougall · 17th December 2018, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

A Very factual reply, Jim!
Yes, as officers supplied their own equipment, , old family accoutrements were very common.
If any of us were in this position, I think we would do Exactly the same, given the chance!
There is great comfort in a family piece, a tie to home, and at every viewing, a recall of the forbears, which could steady the nerves in times of uproar.
This would tie in very nicely with the common admonition; "Always remember who you are, and who you belong to".

Please pardon this if regarded as OT.

R.

Thank you again Richard! I agree, in times where we would be facing the horrors of battle such heirlooms would remind us well of the things we fight for. Not at all OT! Such things are inherent in the arms we study and carry the stories and history so important in realizing their dimension.
There are many in the collecting world who overlook this, but hopefully discussions which include these aspects will help others appreciate their weapons more.

16th December 2018, 02:28 PM	#1
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Jim, Very interesting contributions from yourself. Just like we expect! Whilst reading these, it was running through my mind how many times , and in different parts of the world, we see arms of the officer class often carried by several generations. An example would be the Japanese katana sometimes with a Very old blade, being carried in "working clothes" by officers in WW2. Indeed, expert "sniffers" were employed by well to do families after the war, to try to locate heirlooms lost along with the family member. This dirk may well fit into this category, And fits entirely with an officer carrying an old family blade. Jim, If you want a link to the Grant Correspondence, I can send you one. It is quite an eye-opener regarding the 1695 (was it?) 1715 and '45 rebellions. Best regards, Richard.

16th December 2018, 03:08 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Thank you Richard!!! and well observed on the heirloom weapons which transcended often many generations and often into many campaigns. It was that sort of pride and honor that men carried into battle, and charged their strength, courage and resolve. In Scotland, such was profoundly the case, and while vast numbers of their beloved basket hilts were hidden away in thatch, many blades were cut down and placed in dirks. The dirk was typically overlooked in the proscriptions as it had viable purpose in utility use. Good analogy on the Japanese swords after WWII, and there are many great examples of these heirloom Samurai blades in Showa period and military mounts. I recall speaking with one of the number of Japanese men who advertised and sought recovery of these blades taken at the end of WWII. While these were regarded of course as souvenirs and war trophies, it was not realized that these blades were regarded quite literally as the virtual souls of the warriors who used them. I recall one instance where one Samurai blade was returned to the family from which it came and it was placed reverently in a small temple in that accord.

17th December 2018, 02:28 PM	#3
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	A Very factual reply, Jim! Yes, as officers supplied their own equipment, , old family accoutrements were very common. If any of us were in this position, I think we would do Exactly the same, given the chance! There is great comfort in a family piece, a tie to home, and at every viewing, a recall of the forbears, which could steady the nerves in times of uproar. This would tie in very nicely with the common admonition; "Always remember who you are, and who you belong to". Please pardon this if regarded as OT. R.