Vintage R W Forsyth 1936 Edinburgh Silver Sgian Dubh
Vintage R W Forsyth 1936 Edinburgh Silver Sgian Dubh
Vintage R W Forsyth 1936 Edinburgh Silver Sgian Dubh
The hilt is carved with a Celtic style basket weave and studded with silver studs. The top mount is a bezel mount and set with a cairngorm stone. The scabbard mounts all have a silver Celtic engraved design.
With fine engraved blade in good vintage condition.
Hallmark - R W Forsyth - Edinburgh - F - 1936
Size approx - 190mm
R W Forsyth Highland Wear
RW Forsyth - Born in the Lothians, Forsyth came to Glasgow as a nineteen-year old and gained his experience of clothing retailing with several city firms. In 1872 Forsyth set up in business as ladies and gentleman’s hosier, shirtmaker and highland wear retailer in Renfield Street. His success led to an expansion, and he gradually acquired all the properties around the corner of Renfield Street and Gordon Street. The old buildings were demolished and a new department store was built on the site in 1897.
Forsyth’s department store was designed by J J Burnet and built at a cost of £25,000. Heating and lighting were state of the art, while a wide staircase and new electric lifts permitted the efficient movement of goods and people around the store. The success of the new store allowed Forsyth to expand his business further, including a new store on Edinburgh’s Princes Street.
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’).