1857P Scottish Black Watch Boer War Commanding
Officer's Sword, sold |
In aged and worn but good sound condition, this is the sword carried
by then Lieutenant-Colonel Edward George Grogan, commanding officer
of the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch during the Boer War.
 

This is the 1857P sword of Edward George Grogan, one of the Black
Watch's most important officers. He used it from the 4th December
1885 at which date he gained the rank of Major in the same regiment,
until during and after the Boer War when he was the commanding officer
(Lieutenant Colonel) of the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch. We
also acquired his earlier sword (see Grogan's
1831P). This sword was carried and used by him, as the commanding
officer, during the bloody Boer War.
Edward George Grogan eventually attained the rank of colonel, was
the father of Brigadier General George William St George Grogan
VC CB CMG DSO, who won his Victoria Cross during World War 1.



The blade is etched one side to the Black Watch Royal Highlanders,
and the other side with Edward George Grogan's initials, plus the
Egyptian Sphinx and battle honours, including Ashantee in which
Lieutenant Colonel Grogan was involved and injured.
The 34 inch blade is in good condition, some patina, aging and
wear, but the etching still very clear, and the blade is firm in
the hilt. The maker's name / details "Hobson & Sons Little
Windmill St London" confirm the sword's date, as they were
only at the Little Windmill Street address from 1884 to 1886. The
hilt is in good condition, with quite a bit of patina, some rust
to the backpiece. The scabbard is unusual in that it is not a Scottish
sword scabbard with ball chape, but a slightly curved English officer's
scabbard. Yes, the Claymore blade is straight, but this was a quite
a common occurrence, having a slightly curved scabbard for a straight
blade. We have no doubt the scabbard is original to the sword, as
it fits perfectly. It is clear from Edward George Grogan's earlier
1831 pattern basket hilt sword with its angular hilt, that he was
not a close follower of regulation patterns. Perhaps the slightly
curved scabbard was for style reasons, or more likely to prevent
the scabbard snagging so easily. In any event, again, the scabbard
is clearly original to the sword. The sword sheathing and drawing
well, if a little loose (not much) as the internal wooden slat linings
have no doubt worn / aged. The scabbard shows quite some signs of
age, but is in generally good condition. The fishskin grip is very
well worn; clearly this sword has been held a lot. A small section
of grip missing under the pommel. The twisted grip wire bindings
are good.
Because of the original owner with firm provenance of it being
the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch commanding officer's Boer War
sword, this sword comes at a premium but is a very good investment.
Further / full sized images available upon request. Please quote
item number D63 (755)

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