Antique 1923 Henry Tatton Silver Sgian Dubh
Antique 1923 Henry Tatton Silver Sgian Dubh
Fine Antique 1923 Henry Tatton Edinburgh Sterling Silver Sgian Dubh
The Blackwood carved hilt has an intertwined Celtic knot work design. The hilt has a silver top mount with a classic pin top and engraving. The Celtic engraving on the silver mount is then continued on the lower mounts and scabbard mounts. The fullered blade has some minor blemishes, pitting and rubs as is common in antique sgian dubhs .
Length approx. 21 cm
Hallmarked Henry Tatton - Edinburgh 1923 - Letter S in a shield hallmark.
We have a passion for fine sgian dubhs of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. One of the leading makers of the time was Henry Tatton who established his workshop in Rose Street, Edinburgh in 1892.
Henry Tatton was born in Edinburgh on the 22nd of July 1868. He was the son of Edward Tatton who had moved to Edinburgh from Sheldon in Warwickshire.
Vintage & antique sgian dubh
The Gaelic sgian dubh meaning “black knife”, where “black” may refer to the usual colour of the handle of the knife. It is so suggested that “black” means secret, or hidden, as in the word blackmail. This is based on the stories and theories surrounding the knife’s origin and the meaning of “Dubh” in Gaelic, in particular those associated with the Highland custom of depositing weapons at the entrance to a house prior to entering as a guest. Despite this practice, a small twin edged-dagger, (‘Mattucashlass’), concealed under the armpit, combined with a smaller knife, (‘Sgian dubh’).