View Single Post
Old 29th March 2006, 10:33 PM   #3
M ELEY
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NC, U.S.A.
Posts: 2,146
Default

Hello Rick, only the baskethilt and bone dagger remain. Several inquiries into the basket hilt, so I'll leave more info here.

I'm told it's a Crimean War era (1850's-60's) basket hilt, with the screw-off pommel and old chroming to basket, which has mostly rubbed off to reveal a nice chocolate patina underneath. The basket may possibly be older- this is not my forte! The hilt wood is intact, the wire gone and the fishskin flaking, with a 20% loss showing the wood underneath. The grip was loose when I bought it, so I cut a small piece of fabric out and placed it between the blade and basket (doesn't show) to nicely make it snug. The blade is intact, with no chipping, small wear/pitting to the tip only. The blade is darkened/pickled, with thistle and line decorations, with the crown/crest on one side and a cypher that is really illegible on the other! This was from where it has been rubbed and it might be "GR". "VR", "ER" ??? The fancy script doesn't help much, either!! It has two fullers per side and the 6-pointed star with the brass button and "PROVEDx" mark. The blade measures 32" and is 1 1/4" at the guard. The remnant leather lining in the basket was falling out when I got it. It has been secured for looks, but is badly worn. One can easily remove it, if they prefer the "open" look. It comes with a modern "Sam Brown" type scabbard/leather belt securer, like the modern baskets have. I can't lower the price any further, sorry! Thanks for the interest! -Mark
M ELEY is offline   Reply With Quote