THE JONATHAN MURRAY COLLECTION / DIRKS
Ref 20. 2nd Aberdeenshire Rifle Volunteers
Officers’s Dirk to the 2nd Aberdeenshire Rifle Volunteers. Blade with two fullers either side and stamped horizontally A & J Smith/Aberdeen. Leather covered wooden scabbard with four silver (?) mounts all depitced a thistle and foliage. Hilt with carved basket weave in light brown ebony/bogwood. Regimental name on top of pommel ‘ 2nd Aberdeenshire R.V.’ with St. Andrew and cross in the centre. Matching knife and fork ensuite in light brown ebony/bogwood.
Dirk: 43 cm. Condition: Blade rusting, small nick to blade. Some verdigris discolouring to chape. Fork handle detached. Mounts slightly loose.
Alexander & John Smith had a shop on 191 Union Street, Aberdeen from approximately 1880 – 1932, established as a jewelry. In the early days they also sold scientific instruments.
Period: 1880 – 1884
Category: Dirks
REGIMENTAL HERITAGE
Brief History
The 2nd Aberdeenshire Rifle Volunteers were linked to their parent regiment The Gordon Highlanders in 1881 and became the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders in 1884.
- 1864 – 2nd Administrative Battalion Aberdeenshire Rifle Volunteers
- 1880 – 2nd Aberdeenshire Rifle Volunteers
- 1881 – Linked for the first time with a regimental district and parent regiment – The Gordon Highlanders
- 1884 – 2nd Volunteer Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders
- 1908 – 5th (Buchan and Formartin) Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders (TF), (on amalgamation with the 3rd Volunteer Battalion)