As you know, President Trump has decided that all USA citizens must pay import taxes on any items bought from overseas. He has withdrawn the $800 pre-tax allowance on imports and has also cancelled the exemption for antiques.
The amount of import tax payable is dependent on the country of manufacture of the item, NOT where it was bought/imported from.
For example,
The tariff on UK made items is 10% of the total amount, including the shipping fee.
On items manufactured in mainland Europe, the tariff is 15%.
Some countries incur a much higher percentage.
President Trump has insisted that these fees be paid BEFORE the item is imported, or the parcel will be refused entry into the US.
This basically means that Bygone Blades has to collect the US import tax from you and submit it to the carrier, who in turn pay the US customs.
After you have made your purchase, you will receive a separate invoice for the new import tax specific to the item purchased. This will need to be paid before your purchase is shipped.
Scottish Black Watch Staff-Sergeants Mk II Broadsword. MOLE.
This Victorian Black Watch staff-sergeant's Mk II broadsword was made by Robert Mole. The basket's quillon is stamped with the regimental designation of The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).
The 825mm double-edged (broadsword) blade is 34mm wide at the ricasso. The blade has a short central fuller beginning at the forte and terminates in a spear point. The blade retains its service sharpened edges. From January 1898, the War Department required that staff-sergeants’ swords be sharpened to a thickness of 0.01 inches in the factory, and that additional sharpening be carried out regimentally when on active service. It is likely that this sword was sharpened for service in the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). The 2nd Battalion of the Black Watch arrived in South Africa on the 13th November 1899 and played a significant role in the fighting.
The blade is in great condition with very minor and scattered spots of tarnish. The ricasso is stamped with a Broad Arrow, a Birmingham factory inspection mark and a bend test X. The obverse ricasso bears the date 1897. The spine of the ricasso is stamped with the makers’ name, MOLE. The obverse of the ricasso spine bears a crowned inspection stamp.
The regulation iron basket-hilt is composed of rounded bars united by heart-pierced junction plates. The shagreen wrapped grip is in great condition and the twisted copper wire is intact and tight. The basket retains its red felt-covered leather lining. The blade is firm in the hilt. The front of the quillon is stamped with 2 R. H. over the numeral, 9. The 2nd Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), weapon/issue number 9. The obverse of the quillon bears a Birmingham reissue stamp and the date 1 '13, suggesting that this sword may have also seen service in WW1.
The sword is complete with its black leather scabbard with iron fittings and twin suspension rings. The mouth of the locket is stamped with the matching designation, 2 R. H. over 9. The iron furniture is in good condition with a speckled patina and very shallow pitting. The leather is in great condition and the stitched seam is intact. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is an excellent example of a scarce Black Watch staff-sergeants’ MK II pattern basket hilted broadsword that saw service in the Anglo-Boer War.
This broadsword is for sale from my private collection and as such can not be purchased directly from the website. Please contact me at richard@bygoneblades.com or use the contact link below if interested in buying this beautiful sword.
