Mk2 Argyll & Sutherland / Seaforth Highlander's piper's dirk for sale

A rare issued etched piper's dirk marked to the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and Seaforth Highlanders.

Yes, the blade is very worn so that the etching is not so visible these days, but these issued (War Department / Army owned) dirks had exceptionally long and of course arduous service lives. This particular dirk is marked as having entered service in October 1901, probably as a result of the death of Queen Victoria / coronation of King Edward 7th, as the royal crown changed from the Georgian crown used by Victoria to the Imperial or Tudor crown. So yes, the pommel of this dirk has the Tudor Crown for Edward VII.

The 11 3/4 inch blade is sound though worn, the etching still clear enough and shows as being made by Rob Mole of Birmingham. '01 acceptance stamp to blade one side, Crown over B over 5 stamp plus War Department "crow's foot" plus "X' stamps on the other. 10/01 and "1 A&S H 11" (1st Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Piper / Dirk 11) and "3 SEA 33" (3rd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders Piper / Dirk 33) to the hilt's collar. I have no doubt the dirk was first issued to the 1st Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and then passed along / down to the 3rd (reserve) Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. All of the studs present. The pommel cap and blade a little loose, not too much. The leather of the sheath worn in places and the back stitching gone. Well aged overall. Well worth £700 however. Further / full sized pictures available upon request. My item reference number is 799 - Tube 9.