1895 Antique Thomas Johnston Edinburgh Silver Sgian Dubh
1895 Antique Thomas Johnston Edinburgh Silver Sgian Dubh
1895 Antique Thomas Johnston Edinburgh Silver Sgian Dubh
We recently acquired an 1895 Edinburgh hallmarked antique silver sgian dubh made by lesser known silversmith Thomas Johnston.
The blackwood hilt has a basket weave design and the sterling silver top mount set with a rock crystal. The lower mount and scabbard mounts have a mix of Celtic knot and zoomorphic designs engraved.
The blade has a classic clipped back form that we have seen on Thomas Johnston’s other work.
Silver hallmarked Edinburgh 1895 - date letter O
Size approx 19cm
Thomas Johnston Edinburgh Silver - To date sadly we have little information on Thomas Johnston’s work. However, this 1895 date fits with the other items that have been recorded.
In addition to this sgian dubh we have had another Thomas Johnston in the past hallmarked 1888. There is also an apprentice piece - child’s sgian dubh ( 12cm length - without a blade), made by Thomas Johnston ( hallmarked 1900 ) in a major sgian dubh collection. We also know of two Scottish Highland dirks that are hallmarked 1895 and 1900.
Antique Scottish Edinburgh Silver 1888 Sgian Dubh that we have also had in our collection in the past.
Foot note. In 1891 there was a a London silversmith based Thomas Johnston based at 111 St John St, East London who may have been the same silversmith who was also having items hallmarked in Edinburgh for the Scottish market. However, at this time we cannot confirm this, but are doing further research.
We have a passion for fine antique and collectible sgian dubh’s and Highland dirks. We source antique Jacobite styles of the 18th century, high Victorian styles and regimental patterns of WW1 – WW2.
Our sgian dubh and dirk range make wonderful addition to any Highland dress collection.Our range of fine hallmarked sterling silver skean dubh’s made by the Highland regimental silversmith and Royal silversmiths Hamilton & Inches in Edinburgh, Scotland. We can engrave many of these skean dubhs for presentation gifts.The Gaelic sgian dubh meaning “black knife”, where “black” may refer to the usual colour of the handle of the knife. It is also 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’).