25th Jun, 2025 11:00
Fine Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria June 2025
125
‡ A HIGHLAND BASKET-HILTED BACKSWORD, SECOND HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY
with straight blade double-edged for its upper third, stamped ‘ANDDREA xxx FARREA xxx’ on each face within three long fullers on each face (areas of pitting), iron basket-guard of slender rounded bars carrying seven oval hooped frameworks each filled with two moulded crosses arranged vertically, lower frontal guard secured by screws and pierced with a quatrefoil, bun-shaped pommel, and spirally carved wire-bound wooden grip, with an early doeskin liner, 88.3 cm blade
Provenance
James Graham, New York, 1927
George F. Harding Collection
Transferred to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1982, Acc. No. 1982.3285
The form of hilt is often referred to as the 'Pinch of Snuff' type, after a depiction of a hilt of this form in a portrait of an officer of the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot circa 1760; it was, however, very popular with officers of other Highland Scottish regiments in the third quarter of the 18th century. A related sword, formerly in the Colville Collection, is preserved in The National Museums of Scotland, no. SW128 (Mazansky 2005, p. 171, no. G18c).
Sold for £2,000
with straight blade double-edged for its upper third, stamped ‘ANDDREA xxx FARREA xxx’ on each face within three long fullers on each face (areas of pitting), iron basket-guard of slender rounded bars carrying seven oval hooped frameworks each filled with two moulded crosses arranged vertically, lower frontal guard secured by screws and pierced with a quatrefoil, bun-shaped pommel, and spirally carved wire-bound wooden grip, with an early doeskin liner, 88.3 cm blade
Provenance
James Graham, New York, 1927
George F. Harding Collection
Transferred to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1982, Acc. No. 1982.3285
The form of hilt is often referred to as the 'Pinch of Snuff' type, after a depiction of a hilt of this form in a portrait of an officer of the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot circa 1760; it was, however, very popular with officers of other Highland Scottish regiments in the third quarter of the 18th century. A related sword, formerly in the Colville Collection, is preserved in The National Museums of Scotland, no. SW128 (Mazansky 2005, p. 171, no. G18c).
Auction: Fine Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria June 2025, 25th Jun, 2025
Auction Location: London, UK
The Antique Arms, Armour and Militaria department run by Thomas Del Mar is now a recognised world leader in this field.
The sales offer a broad selection of objects from all over the world, from the earliest times until the Great War. Firearms from the earliest matchlock, wheel-lock, flintlock, percussion and pin-fire guns, rifles, pistols and revolvers; edged weapons from the bronze age, Viking, Medieval and Renaissance periods through to the swords of the regular armies of the 18th and 19th centuries; armour from the earliest times through the medieval and renaissance periods to the First World War; African, Australasian, Chinese, Islamic and Japanese weapons and armour; accessories including gunpowder flasks, gun locks, mechanical locks, iron work and books.
Contact the Department for further information | armsandarmour@olympiaauctions.com | + 44 (0) 20 7806 5541
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Sunday 22nd June:12pm to 4pm
Monday 23rd June: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday 24th June: 10am to 5pm
