Item Description
Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a phenomenal example of a scarce Scottish Basket-Hilted Claymore sword identified to Lieutenant Duncan Gordon Davidson, Cameron Highlanders. Davidson was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, joining them in India in 1910. He served in France from 1915-1916, being severely wounded at Dickebush, Belgium on February 23rd, 1915. He survived the war and succeeded his father as the 7th Laird, Davidson of Davidson.
The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterized by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' cross guards since the Late Middle Ages. In modern times, this variety of sword is also sometimes referred to as the broadsword.
The basket-hilted sword was generally in use as a military sword. True broadsword possesses a double-edged blade, while similar wide-bladed swords with a single sharpened edge and a thickened back are called backswords. Various forms of basket-hilt were mounted on both broadsword and backsword blades.
This example is in lovely condition, retaining its inner red felt basket and fringe protruding from the pommel. The grip is sharkskin with what appear to be three rows of twisted silver wire around it. The grip is in fantastic shape for its age, and the white interior of the basket is heavily stained from years of use and then storage, with some of the material ripping in spots.
The 32½” blade on this example is fullered and heavily etched on both sides with lovely floral motifs, with one side bearing a crown over the cypher of Queen Victoria, and the other bearing a crown over QUEEN’S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS. The ricasso is marked on one side with:
HENRY
WILKINSON
PALL MALL
LONDON
The spine is stamped 43192, and the sword comes with a letter from Wilkinson confirming this sword as having been completed on October 2nd, 1911 and sold to D.G. Davidson, Cameron Highlanders, who we were able to identify as Captain Duncan Gordon Davidson, 2nd Battalion, Cameron Highlanders. Davidson was born on January 13th, 1888 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of the Cameron Highlanders on October 25th, 1910. He was made a Captain in the Highlanders on March 15th, 1915, during World War I. From what we found, Davidson was severely wounded in Dickebush, Belgium on February 23rd, 1915.
This example retains a beautiful leather & metal scabbard, with the fittings still being tight to the leather. The scabbard retains the leather strap near the throat, and is in great condition overall.
This is an outstanding example of a very scarce sword, fully identified with much potential for further research. The sword comes ready for further research and display.
Dimensions:
Blade Length: 32½”
Overall Length: 38½”
Scabbard Length: 33”
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