Militaria

An 1865 pattern Scottish officer’s broadsword, the straight 82cm blade by Pillin, Gerrard Street, Soho, etched with crowned entwined VR cypher, thistles and foliate patterns, and within a cartouche the owners family arms crest and motto, the arms are those of MacKenzie of Portmore, regulation steel basket guard, retaining the original red buff liner, fish-skin covered grip bound with silver wire, lacking scabbard, blade a little discoloured otherwise good condition
£250-300

The arms are those of MacKenzie of Portmore, the vendor states the sword belonged to Colin James Mackenzie, of Portmore County Peebles. Born 19 February 1835, Ensign 25 February 1862 by purchase, Lieutenant 22 March 1864 by purchase and Captain 8 July 1868 again by purchase, by 1873 he was serving with the Highland Rifle Militia, he was a JP and DL, and an author of a history of his old regiment, offered with some further research.

George Alfred Pillin is recorded at 31 Garrard Street from 1862 onwards.