Part of a 1856 silver hilted Sgian Dubh on ebay listed as "dagger"

[MacCathmhaoil]

After doing a bit of further research on the maker's marks on this sgian dubh, I found that the JA mark as show was used by the Edinburgh silversmith James Aitchison circa 1900-1902, so the seller of this sgian dubh is completely off in his description.

you're right and you're wrong, sort of.
You are correct about James Aitchison of Edinburgh, the dates you have are in reference to a spoon that was identified with his mark dating from this period. He was working from the late 1880's to the early 1900's based upon identified pieces, auction results and other examples of his work that I've found. He seems to have dabbled in a number of areas, sporran cantles, ladies rings, flatware. This is the only example of a sgain by him that I've been able to locate, unlikely that this is the only one. I am sure there are one or two others in some attic or box under a bed. I am sure that the handle, if it still exists, is causing someone great deliberation as to what exactly it was a handle for!

[TheOfficialBren]

you're right and you're wrong, sort of.
You are correct about James Aitchison of Edinburgh, the dates you have are in reference to a spoon that was identified with his mark dating from this period. He was working from the late 1880's to the early 1900's based upon identified pieces, auction results and other examples of his work that I've found. He seems to have dabbled in a number of areas, sporran cantles, ladies rings, flatware. This is the only example of a sgain by him that I've been able to locate, unlikely that this is the only one. I am sure there are one or two others in some attic or box under a bed. I am sure that the handle, if it still exists, is causing someone great deliberation as to what exactly it was a handle for!

Can you imagine a few lads sitting around a table intently studying this 'mysterious' handle? The speculation would be hilarious to watch. I'd love to be a fly on that wall.

:-D