Sgian Dubh Identity

[Piobair]

Bit of a mystery and was wondering if anyone on the forum had some ideas...

A few weeks ago I bought an older sgian with sterling mounts and what may or may not be an ebony handle. The silver is stamped "T.E", and the hallmark is a lion rampant, castle, and script "D". I'm reading this as Scottish silver assayed in Edinburgh in 1978. I've been told that the T.E mark relates to Hamilton & Inches, which explains the basket pattern on the handle matching up with some modern examples produced by the Sgian Dubh Co. (who claim to employ a former H&I employee).

So far, so good. The problem I'm having is in trying to figure out if the handle is actually ebony (as the seller claimed) or composite. I don't have the experience with ebony sgians to know for sure, but I feel like the handle itself lacks both the density and presence of a grain pattern (uncarved back of handle is very black) I'd expect from a hardwood.

Here's the question - Was H&I producing composite handles in 1978 on their sterling sgians? Is there any way I can tell what material the handle is short of finding a reliable jeweler? Is there a ballpark value for this?

Thanks for the help!

[jordanjm]

A picture of the Sgian might prove useful.

[haukehaien]

Ebony can vary from light brown to extremely dark, and the darker examples frequently do not show much, if any, grain pattern, especially if they've been finished well. Is there any spot where you can test the handle where it won't be seen, like under a cap or anything? If so, you can try a heated pin held in pliers to see if the substance melts, which would tell you that it's composite.

Growing up in Africa, the ebony fakes I saw were generally actual wood rather than composite, but had usually been heavily treated with shoe polish to get the look of ebony. Those you could test with alcohol and a rag, but it seems hard to tell if it's a composite or not, especially without damaging the material.

[James MacMillan]

Is it possible to scrape the mystery substance in an obscure area? A few scrapes with a sharp knife will tell you what it is!

[Piobair]

Not the best picture, I'm afraid. The back of the handle has a very slight pebbled texture, but it's hard to tell if this is grain or just a property of a composite material.

Regardless of the material, its still a nice sgian, so I'm not going to complain.

[Jock Scot]

Hello Piobair,Hamilton and Inches are one of the premier jewelers of the UK and are one of the makers of jewelry for the Queen and her family.I think that you can be assured that only the best will do for H & I.I very much doubt that they would have ever heard of of composite materials!Well done you.

[thescot]

It certainly looks like ebony in the photo (which means little, I know), but it's a real dandy whatever it is. Congratulations on a fine sgian.

[pipesndrumsnun]

Very nice sgian!!

[Chef]

Hello Piobair,Hamilton and Inches are one of the premier jewelers of the UK and are one of the makers of jewelry for the Queen and her family.I think that you can be assured that only the best will do for H & I.I very much doubt that they would have ever heard of of composite materials!Well done you.

I think that is right on the mark. I have one of their sgians and it is definitely ebony although it is slightly older than yours. I highly doubt a firm of this level would have paired sterling silver and composite back in the 70's.