Officer's regimental dirk for The Renfrew Highlanders. 12 inch scalloped edged blade with two fullers and etched on both sides, one side with thistles and a Queens crown over "VR", the other side etched with thistles, harebells and a Prince of Wales feathers in a crown above a coat of arms surrounded by "RENFREW HIGHLANDER". The "S" after Highland on the blade is not easy to see due to cleaning. The blade has been well cleaned from being pitted and rusted. Ebony hilt with interlaced work and with silver studs, the mounts of cast silver with thistles and a pale cairngorm, the wooden leather covered sheath with four silver engraved mounts each with silver castings attached of the regimental coat of arms and harebells and thistles. Matching bi-knife and fork en-suite. Dirk: 19 inches. Blade: 12 inches
Rare dirk. This dirk mentioned in Militaria of Two Scottish Militia regiments 1856 -1880 by Alana Grosart which appeared in the Dispatch publication which is the journal for Scottish Military History Society. The author mentions a dirk which had the Prince of Wales feathers on the scabbard mounts and the blade was etched with "Renfrew" and "Highland". There is some mystery behind the use of 'Highlander versus Militia.
Ref 36. Prince of Wales Royal Regiment of Renfrew Militia
1855 - 1881
The Prince of Wales Royal Regiment of Renfrew Milia was an allied militia of the Argyll and Sutherland regiment.
The 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Regiment were formed in 1881 from the old Militia Battalions.
The 3rd Battalion had its origins in the Fifeshire Regiment of North British Militia raised in 1797, they were subsequently named the Stirling, Dumbarton, Clackmannan and Kinross Militia in 1803 and their title was finally changed to the Highland Borderers Light Infantry in 1855 .
The 4th Battalion stems from the Royal Renfrew Militia who were embodied in 1793. A further change to the Renfrewshire Militia took place in 1803. In 1855 in recognition of their service they were granted permission to call themselves The Prince of Wales Royal Regiment of Renfrewshire Militia. Both battalions served in the Boer War and were Reserve Battalions during the 1st World War. They were subsequently disbanded.