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By Paul Thornton
A DEEP red scrap of felt hints at the bloody history behind this rare fragment of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s sword hilt.
The tiny triangle, which once lined the Jacobite prince’s weapon holder, was displayed in Edinburgh ahead of its auction next month.
Auctioneers have no idea whether the hilt was on the sword used by Charles Edward Stewart during his unsuccessful Jacobite rebellion in 1745.
But they claim the scrap was found hidden in a tree trunk along with a gold watch and chain by woodsman in Dumfries in the late 19th century.
A note accompanying the framed felt reads “Lining of Prince Charles sword hilt 1745.”
Its mystery current owners have handed the sword hilt down through the generations of their family.
But Edinburgh auctioneers Lyon and Turnbull will put it under the hammer next month.
Spokesman Colin Fraser said: “Any items linked with Bonnie Prince Charlie are highly sort after and the item has been handed down in the family of the owners for generations.
“It certainly appears to be of very high quality suitable for someone of his stature to carry.
“It is an incredibly difficult thing to value, but we have sold many items of his in the past and I am sure it will do well.”
