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Description
ANTIQUE Sgian-Dubh
Made by Mackay & Chisholm EDINBURGH Scotland 1906
By ROYAL APPOINTMENT Makers to Queen Victoria
The sgian-dubh also anglicized as skene-dhu "skene-dhu" & "skean-dhu" is a small, single-edged knife worn as part of traditional Scottish Highland dress
Originally used for eating & preparing fruit, meat, & cutting bread & cheese, as well as serving for other more general day-to-day uses such as cutting material & protection, it is now worn as part of traditional Scottish dress tucked into the top of the kilt hose with only the upper portion of the hilt visible
The sgian-dubh is normally worn on the same side as the dominant hand
The name comes from the Scottish Gaelic sgian-dubh. Although the primary meaning of dubh is 'black', it also has the secondary meaning of 'hidden', which is at the root of sgian-dubh, according to the stories & theories surrounding the knife's origin, in particular those associated with the Highland custom of depositing weapons at the entrance to a house prior to entering as a guest
The sgian-dubh may have evolved from the sgian-achlais, a dagger that could be concealed under the armpit. Used by the Scots of the 17th & 18th Cent, this knife was slightly larger than the average modern sgian-dubh & was carried in the upper sleeve or lining of the jacket body
Courtesy & etiquette would demand that when entering the home of a friend, any concealed weapons would be revealed. It follows that the sgian-achlais would be removed from its hiding place & displayed in the stocking top held securely by the garters
The sgian-dubh also resembles the small skinning knife that is part of the typical set of hunting knives. These sets contain a butchering knife with a 9-10" blade, & a skinner blade of about 4"
The larger knife likely the ancestor of the modern dirk
Scalloped file work ("Jimping") on the blade's spine is de rigueur on Scottish blades
A short blade of 3 to 3.5 inches is typical
The POINT needs a wee bit of reshaping on carborundum stone
Details
Shipping & pick-up options
Destination & description | Price | |
---|---|---|
Tracked NZPO delivery NZ address URBAN | $7.90 | |
Tracked NZPO delivery NZ address RURAL | $12.90 | |
Tracked AIR MAIL delivery anywhere in AUSTRALIA | $20.90 | |
FREE inclusion with other POST PAID item purchase | $0.00 |
Seller does not allow pick-ups
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Questions & Answers (5)
Good to see someone who really knows their subject p**********t (938 • 09:40 am, Sun, 28 Apr )Thanks for saying so Michael, however you my underestimate the level of plagiarism involved in my description?🙂. Also, by any chance? Did you ever own a Model A Ford truck, that frequently had a Piano on the back? 🙂 phillipjames (8990 • Sunday, 28 April 2024 )Phillip, No, I'm afraid not. p**********t (938 • 11:17 am, Sun, 28 Apr )Thats GOOD, as if you WERE that "Mike"? (who went by the name Rupert) I had some dreadful news about a mutual friend, who passed away (The "Small World" theory NOT applicable here) phillipjames (8990 • Sunday, 28 April 2024 )Hi;; is the grip on this example timber or horn or composition ;;; also would you mind placing a good photo of the pommel;;; I assume it is mounted with a cairngorm as was fairly usual;;; Thanks 3*****s (302 • 03:52 pm, Thu, 2 May )I have added what I HOPE are better photos? The grip is wood "Bog Oak" I believe was traditionally used on Dirk & Skean Dubh handles. Mounted with a Cairngorme Stone presumably a REAL ONE as this is a high-end maker with a Royal Warrant and old enough to pre-date plastic or glass, especially in hallmarked Silver mounts phillipjames (8990 • Thursday, 2 May 2024 )Seller added 7 photos Seller comment Thursday, 2 May 2024 Hilt making – The most highly prized knives have hand-carved ebony or bog wood hilts (hence black knives), sterling silver fittings and may have pommels set with precious or semi-precious stones. Some have antler or bone handles. Seller comment Thursday, 2 May 2024