examples of the BTF
Here are most of the examples of the Bushy Tailed Fox I have either physically acquired or simply copied.
The first image is the small-sword that convinced me that the BTF was actually Oley's mark, because the script of ...TLE xx and BRIDGxx was featured together with a Bushy Tailed Fox for the first (and last) time to date.
This sword was made between late 1687, and 1691, when the second (Williamite) syndicate took control of the works.
Of course they could not monitor every single blade that was forged so it is entirely possible that Oley was slipping out blades to the Jacobites. This one went to George FitzRoy, illegitimate son of King Charles II, Duke of Northumberland and Commander of the 2nd Troop of Horse Guards, part of the King's army.
There are some 1740s/50s cavalry hangers I have observed and not included as they simply echo what is already present. They all feature the BTF seen on the Harvey samples.
The unusual 1750s basket hilt (with the auction house tag on it) was listed as a Royal Welsh Fusiliers Grenadier's sword with ICH DIEN, Prince of Wales feathers and the White Horse of Hanover; the hammer was £11,000 (plus 33% commission); don't ask me why, except two paddles were obviously battling it out.
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