Underwood, London Officer’s Private Purchase, Fighting / Hunting Knife Etched To Colonel Robert Ed Knives

Victorian / Boer War & WW1 British Underwood London Officer’s Private Purchase, Fighting / Hunting Knife Etched To Colonel Robert Edward Myddelton-Biddulph, Chirk Castle, North Wales. 16789 - 16789

The Underwood family of London based Cutlers began their knife making heritage with Yeeling Underwood in 1791. Henry Thomas Underwood was recorded as working at 56 Haymarket between 1822 until his death in 1860. The family business continued making knives marked ‘Underwood’ until 1925 when the company ceased trading. Colonel Robert Edward Myddelton- Biddulph, was born 1866 & died 1949. Lived at Chirk Castle, Denbighshire (the castle was built in 1295 by Roger Mortimer de Chirk, uncle of Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March as part of King Edward I's chain of fortresses across the north of Wales. It guards the entrance to the Ceiriog Valley. It was the administrative centre for the Marcher Lordship of Chirkland. The castle was bought by Sir Thomas Myddelton in 1593). Colonel Robert Edward Myddelton- Biddulph was the son of Richard Myddelton and Catherine Arabella Howard. He married Lady Violet Nevill, daughter of William Nevill, 1st Marquess of Abergavenny and Caroline Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, on 19 August 1898. He was awarded the Territorial Decoration (T.D.) He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) He held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.) He lived at Chirk Castle, Denbighshire, Wales. His Military Service is recorded:- Lt. in Royal Welsh Fusiliers – 1885, Major with Royal Filed Artillery 1917,Lt. Col 1921.He served France and Egypt.He was awarded 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. This is Colonel Robert Edward Myddelton-Biddulph’s private purchase fighting / hunting knife which he would no doubt have carried through the Boer War & WW1. The heavy knife has undamaged polished horn scales secured to the tang by brass pins. It has a 5 ¾” single edged drop point blade which has just light staining consistent with age and measures 10 ¼” overall length. The blade is marked crown VR (Victoria Regina) and with manufacturer detail ‘Underwood 56 Haymarket London’. The back edge of the blade has an etched panel ‘R.E.M Biddulph Chirk Castle N. Wales’. The knife has its original undamaged, open top brown leather scabbard with stitched rear seam and belt loop. The loop has an old leather cord attached which has obviously been with the scabbard for many years. The price for this knife worthy of further research regarding the Officer who owned it includes UK delivery. Sn 16789

£825.00