A Scottish basket-hilted steel broadsword, said to be that carried by Alexander, 4th Lord Forbes of Pitsligo, 18th century

with a tapering double edged German blade, fullered on each side and inscribed 'For God My Country and King James 8th and Prosperity To Scotland and no union' with gilt-ground etched scrolls, foliage and figure of St. Andrew and with a shagreen and wired handle, the iron basket with scroll foreguards and pierced cross motifs (blade 86cm. long, 3.5cm. wide at guard, total length 99cm) together with another Scottish basket-hilted broadsword, 18th century, with tapering double edged blade, etched 'ANDREA' with touchmarks to one side and 'FARARA' and similar touchmarks to the reverse, with a leather and gilt-brass wired handle, the iron basket with scroll fore-guards and pierced cross decoration (blade 85cm. long, 4cm. wide at guard, total length 98cm) (2)

Probably Alexander Forbes, 4th Lord of Pitsligo (1678–1762)

A very fine sword in good condition. The tip of the blade with a loss and various small chips and scratches commensurate with age and use to the blade. There is some tarnishing to the blade. The cloth to the basket has possibly been replaced some time ago but shows signs of wear from use. The possibly associated leather scabbard is distressed but retains its metal mounts. The other sword is in good condition with some areas of tarnishing to the blade and minor chips commensurate with age and use. The cloth to the basket has also possibly been replaced some time ago. The possibly associated scabbard is very distressed and has multiple breaks and losses.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

For another very rare Scottish basket-hilted broadsword with an etched German Jacobite blade featuring the same inscription, see that sold Sotheby's, Arms & Armour, 4 December 2003, lot 69 (sold £15,600 hammer with premium).

Blades of this particular design pre-date the Act of the Union enacted with England in 1707. The spelling of 'Scotland' with an 'h' betrays the German origin of the blade in the offered lot.  A similar blade is in the Collection of the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. For a discussion of both this and the further designs found on Jacobite blades see The Baron of Earlshall 1996, pp.35-37 and Trenchard 1936.