Strathspey Fencibles Pike Number 196 to the Grant or Strathspey Fencibles (1793) Sn - 22160 Strathspey Fencibles Pike Number 196 to the Grant or Strathspey Fencibles (1793) Sn - 22160 Antique & Militaria

The Grant or Strathspey Fencibles were raised when Sir James Grant of Castle Grant at Granttown of Spey, having offered to raise a regiment, he obtained permission to do so, and two months after the declaration of war by France in 1873 and the threat of invasion. The Regiment was called the 1st Stathspey Fencibles and was assembled at Forres in the end of April, 1793 consisting mostly of Highlanders. On 5 June it was embodied and inspected by Lieutenant-general Alexander Leslie, marched to the southward in August, and quartered successively in most of the towns in the south of Scotland. Unlike pole arms of the time, naval boarding pikes were made with no cross guard or ferrules, as these would get caught in the rigging or nets of a vessel. This is one of the 1st Strathspey Fencibles pikes and measures 94 inches long. The pike consists of a wooden shaft with an iron tapered and pointed square section to the top. The iron pike measures 18 inches in length with a spear point of 8 1/82 inches and two straps 9 ½ inches long which retain it to the shaft by three screws riveted over onto the straps. The top of the shaft near the pike is lettered in gold No. 196 STRATHSPEY. The pike is in excellent condition with no worm to the wood. Delivery is to the U.K. Mainland by arrangement and at cost. Sn 22160