Glasgow Hilt?

Jim McDougall · 8th October 2024, 05:21 PM

Thank you Rachelle for adding this. From what I can find, William Widdowson & Robert Veale worked at 73 Strand in London from 1835-1876. After that the firm merged, Widdowson had passed in 1872.

Widdowson was apparently a very high station silversmith who had taken over the business from John Salter who was close friends with Admiral Nelsons granddaughter Horatia. She had him as jeweler and silversmith in various commissions to Nelson.
This undoubtedly led to Widdowson becoming appointed silversmith to Prince Albert, and as noted a highly appointed artisan who not only worked with design items of precious metals, but also made orders and decorations for the British army and navy. He also worked with the Royal Court in Spain.

The VR cypher indicates of course the blade, and by virtue of its being commissioned privately suggests the blade and hilt are homogenous. It appears that Widdowson also fashioned hilts, and in this case followed the well established 1828 Scottish pattern (often regarded as 1835).

As Queen Victoria began her reign in 1837, and married Prince Albert in 1840, that may be regarded as earliest date for this sword. The end date would be 1876 as noted earlier with the name of this firm ending that year.

Without regimental markings or personal inscription it is hard to establish which unit of the British army this basket hilt might belong to. The regiments known to have had these 1828 style hilts for officers were;
Royal Scots Fusiliers; Highland Light Infantry; Seaforth Highlanders; Cameron Highlanders; Kings Own Scottish Borderers; Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders; and of course the Black Watch (42nd).

Possibly the motto inscribed might be a clue if it can be attributed to one of these units specifically.

It would seem it must have been to a very distinguished officer with one of these also highly distinguished regiments as it was a sword produced by such a high end cutler. If he had the sword made for himself personally it is unlikely he would have placed his own name, as this was typically reserved for swords being presented to someone. Similarly, it would not be necessary to place regimental name, but to add a significant motto would be.

Just my own views from researching this beautiful basket hilt, and as always I would like to hear other comments.

8th October 2024, 05:21 PM	#13
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,950	Thank you Rachelle for adding this. From what I can find, William Widdowson & Robert Veale worked at 73 Strand in London from 1835-1876. After that the firm merged, Widdowson had passed in 1872. Widdowson was apparently a very high station silversmith who had taken over the business from John Salter who was close friends with Admiral Nelsons granddaughter Horatia. She had him as jeweler and silversmith in various commissions to Nelson. This undoubtedly led to Widdowson becoming appointed silversmith to Prince Albert, and as noted a highly appointed artisan who not only worked with design items of precious metals, but also made orders and decorations for the British army and navy. He also worked with the Royal Court in Spain. The VR cypher indicates of course the blade, and by virtue of its being commissioned privately suggests the blade and hilt are homogenous. It appears that Widdowson also fashioned hilts, and in this case followed the well established 1828 Scottish pattern (often regarded as 1835). As Queen Victoria began her reign in 1837, and married Prince Albert in 1840, that may be regarded as earliest date for this sword. The end date would be 1876 as noted earlier with the name of this firm ending that year. Without regimental markings or personal inscription it is hard to establish which unit of the British army this basket hilt might belong to. The regiments known to have had these 1828 style hilts for officers were; Royal Scots Fusiliers; Highland Light Infantry; Seaforth Highlanders; Cameron Highlanders; Kings Own Scottish Borderers; Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders; and of course the Black Watch (42nd). Possibly the motto inscribed might be a clue if it can be attributed to one of these units specifically. It would seem it must have been to a very distinguished officer with one of these also highly distinguished regiments as it was a sword produced by such a high end cutler. If he had the sword made for himself personally it is unlikely he would have placed his own name, as this was typically reserved for swords being presented to someone. Similarly, it would not be necessary to place regimental name, but to add a significant motto would be. Just my own views from researching this beautiful basket hilt, and as always I would like to hear other comments.