Officer's dirk to the 6th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders. Carved black wood handle with basket weave decoration and collet set foil backed crystal to pommel. Tapered blade with knotched back edge and double fuller. Leather covered scabbard with thistle applied mounts with chape; the top mount with regiment badge. Matching by knife and fork ensuite. R. & H. B. KIRKWOOD, EDINBURGH. A scarce dirk. Dirk: 44cm. Blade: 28cm.Condition: Mounts in good condition with minor marks and wear. Scabbard with some grazing to the leather. Wooden handles good condition and well carved. Steel with some slight tarnish. Stones all set but with expected loss of color of the foils.
The attribution to 6th Battalion comes from the regimental badge to the upper mount. This is the same as seen on their cap badge and notably different to the standard battalions. The motto above as it is can be a clue and also the slightly different stags head, on some of the cap badges it is also in a belted garter much like a clan badge might be which is not seen on the standard.' Ref Colin Fraser of the austion house Lyon and Turnbull.
Ref 16. 6th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders
The Gordon Highlanders fought in the Second Boer War of 1899- 1902. After suffering great losses during the "Black Week" of December 1899, the British Government quickly accepted the help and services of several volunteer battalions, which had been forming since the 1880s. Each company would consist of 116 men and these new companies were titled 'Service Companies'.
In order to overcome rules restricting volunteers to serve as a unit outside of the United Kingdom, each man was enlisted into the Army for the duration of his tour, and then rewarded with £5 at the termination of his service.
This included the 6th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders, which brought companies together from Banff, Dufftown, Keith, and Buckie. This Service Company would then go on to amalgamate with the 4th Volunteer Battalion on 1 April 1908 to form the 6th Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders (Banff and Donside).
- 1861 - 1st Administrative Battalion, Banffshiure Rifle Volunteers
- 1880 - !st Banffshire Rifle Volunteers
- 1881 - Linked for the first time with a regimental district and parent regoiment - The Gordon Highlanders
- 1884 - 6th Volunteer Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders
- 1908 - 6th (Banff and Donside) Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders (TF), (on amalgamation with the 4th Volunteer Battalion)