a silver trophy AND COVER, in sterling silver, hallmarked for Birmingham 1938/9, the cover with footballer finial, the twin handled cup inscribed 'SCOTTISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION WAR CHALLENGE CUP', on a circular socle base mounted with shield shaped plaque inscribed '1939-40 WON BY RANGERS F.C W. WOODBURN', 24cm high

23.5cm high overall

Note: This rare and important piece of Scottish footballing history comes from a period of turbulence for the country. Due to the outbreak of World War II, all normal competitions were suspended, with a number of regional tournaments having been set up in their place. Therefore, whilst both the Scottish Football League and Scottish League Cup were no longer contested, the Southern Football League and Southern Football League Cup were held in an unofficial capacity.

These were played at a time of unrelenting dominance for Rangers Football Club, them not having gone more than a year without lifting a major trophy since 1917. Indeed, during the so-called 'unofficial' years, the team won all six Southern League titles, as well as four of the six Southern League Cups (losing the other two in the final - one of which was cruelly snatched from them when the game ended in a draw, the winner being decided on who had been awarded the most corners).

The trophy offered at McTear's relates to the Southern Scottish League's Emergeny Cup Competition. The final saw Rangers defeated Dundee 1-0 in that year's final.