Help With Markings on Gordon Highlanders Dirk

[gordon92]

I am hoping to attract some expert help in deciphering the markings on a dirk of the pattern worn by the Gordon Highlanders. Photo is below. My belief is that this dirk dates from the 1880s. My camera, unfortunately, cannot accurately capture the markings, so I will describe them. The maker's marks on all the silver fittings are an AF which was too small to photograph. I have been told that AF was a silversmith known in Glasgow during the 1870s and 1880s, but I have been unable to gain confirmation of this. There is also a STOSII engraved on the back of the silver fitting constituting the hilt.

I would be grateful for any help forthcoming that would identify the maker, approximate date, and the meaning of STOSII.

Mike

[dognose]

Hi Mike,

If you cannot capture an image of the mark, draw it as accurately as you can, and then photograph the drawing.

My first thoughts are that 'STOSII.' may be a badly struck 'STGSIL', a common abbreviation for 'sterling silver' especially used on such silver accoutrements such as these, as they are under the specified minimum weight for items that require legal hallmarking.

Trev.

[gordon92]

Trev,

On closer inspection the top mark is indeed STGSIL.

Enclosed below is a hand drawn image of the maker's mark that appears on each of the fittings. The A is inaccurately drawn to be broader than it actually is.

Many thanks for your help.

Mike

[dognose]

Hi Mike,

I had hoped to find your mark on the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh website, as they hold the records of the Edinburgh and the now defunct Glasgow assay offices. However, they cannot provide a match for your 'AF' mark working with your dating of the 1870's-1880's, but they do offer a possibility of a name, Andrew Fraser. They do not appear to have a record of his mark, but note 'The 'AF' marks on silver of this period appear all to pertain to Andrew Fraser.'

Andrew Fraser appears from 1875-1878 in the Duty Books, and from 1875-1881 in directories.

If nothing else, it gives a name for further research. Another possibility of course is that the item was not made in Scotland. Expatriate Scottish silversmiths abounded in all parts of the former colonies. If you can establish a direct link from the dirk to the Gordon Highlanders, then researching where they were stationed around that period may offer a further route for investigation.

Trev.

[gordon92]

Trev,

Thank you once again for the concrete lead on Andrew Fraser.

The 92nd Gordon Highlanders were in India 1868-1881, then Natal South Africa 1881-1885, then the Channel Islands 1885-1887, and thereafter Belfast 1887-1892. Do you suppose any of these locations are likely to have a silversmith capable of constructing a fairly elaborate dirk?

Mike

[dognose]

Hi Mike,

I feel sure that any of those locations would be home to silversmiths having the necessary skills to make such an item, although the use of the 'STGSIL' marking would be more likely perhaps in Scotland, Belfast or South Africa.

Trev.

[gordon92]

Your advice, Trev, has been helpful and enlightening.

Mike