Wearing a dirk casually

[Tobus]

I’m sure a lot of new members are confused when they see more discussion here devoted to neckties than claymores.

That made me chuckle!

As for military arms at religious observances, I wouldn't call it the norm in America. I've never seen it, and I grew up as a preacher's kid. In my experience, military weddings or funerals do the religious ceremony inside the church, and any military rituals are done afterwards (such as the newlywed sendoff or the graveside service). My father and both grandfathers were buried with military honors, and no weapons were brought into the churches. Just my experience, though.

[Father Bill]

*snip* (such as the newlywed sendoff or the graveside service) *snip*

Yeah. There are some real similarities there.

(Sorry! )

[Terry Searl]

Well Terry I thought about it a little more and another possibility could be that many Americans have an overly romantic, Hollywood inspired view of highland dress/culture. It comes up with clothes all the time (pirate shirts). It may extend to weapons as well.

The Hollywood Rob Roy and William Wallace are never without their swords. Conner McLeod has to behead his enemies.

In the USA, the kilt is largely associated with a mythical version of the highland warrior.

I’m sure a lot of new members are confused when they see more discussion here devoted to neckties than claymores.

A perfectly logical explanation FossilHunter Thank-you ....especially so since I have never had such overly romantic or Hollywood inspired view of Highland dress so have never looked at clothing in that regard...... from what you say I do get the feeling that much like the western garb portrayed in movies some folk have a hard time differentiating between what is and was factual and what is imagined.......Thank you again for taking the time to respond.

[Orvis]

That made me chuckle!

As for military arms at religious observances, I wouldn't call it the norm in America. I've never seen it, and I grew up as a preacher's kid. In my experience, military weddings or funerals do the religious ceremony inside the church, and any military rituals are done afterwards (such as the newlywed sendoff or the graveside service). My father and both grandfathers were buried with military honors, and no weapons were brought into the churches. Just my experience, though.

The carrying of weapons inside the sanctuary (whether military chapel or civilian church) is not the norm from my experience in the U.S. Marine Corps. For military weddings where an arch of swords was formed for the bride and groom to pass under after they exit the church, the sword party did not enter the sanctuary, but stayed outside the entrance waiting to do their thing. Likewise, at the military funeral I participated in, the pall bearers carrying the casket into the sanctuary were unarmed, while the armed escort and firing party remained outside.

There are usually formal protocols in service regulations (there certainly are in the U.S. services) stating exactly how military weddings (and other ceremonies) are to be carried out. IMHO, when weddings are cobbled together by those who do not know the formal protocols, they just do it as they think it should be done, which in many cases is not the right way.

[Father Bill]

*snip* IMHO, when weddings are cobbled together by those who do not know the formal protocols, they just do it as they think it should be done, which in many cases is not the right way.

I can confirm that - I do get some rather bizarre requests and ideas for ceremonies, generally from the "unchurched".

[PatrickHughes123]

At 3:36 in this video you can see a dirk of some kind.
How common is it to wear one informally like this.
A few people have mentioned that I need one.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=288s&v=oHn5V2AU_rs

I suggest you research US State Law and US Federal Law on this, it may be something to know about. You may get arrested for wearing one, as it is a weapon.

[tokareva]

I suggest you research US State Law and US Federal Law on this, it may be something to know about. You may get arrested for wearing one, as it is a weapon.

That won't be an issue Patrick, I have no interest in wearing a dirk, regardless of the circumstances. I was just trying to figure out how common it is, I still think the British Commando knife could look nice however.

[carlisle401]

Well, this afternoon I spoke to the minister and he would like swords with the Colour Guard. So an armed escort to the Colours he will get.

This will be held Sunday July 1st.

[Jock Scot]

Well Terry I thought about it a little more and another possibility could be that many Americans have an overly romantic, Hollywood inspired view of highland dress/culture. It comes up with clothes all the time (pirate shirts). It may extend to weapons as well.

The Hollywood Rob Roy and William Wallace are never without their swords. Conner McLeod has to behead his enemies.

In the USA, the kilt is largely associated with a mythical version of the highland warrior.

I’m sure a lot of new members are confused when they see more discussion here devoted to neckties than claymores.

Going on impressions gained from this website and from the internet in general I cannot disagree with you. Although sadly, Scotland has a growing share of "pirate" shirts and general pantomime kilt attire these days too!

[Jock Scot]

I'm a Canadian and I have been a member of this site for a couple of years now. Something that has always made me wonder why is, why is it so important to Americans to be armed .......we have just a few highlanders that make regular comments here and even those that are totally committed to traditions don't seem to think that carrying a dirk, pistols, or some other weapon, in any fashion, is quite so important, unless they are in a historical enactment group .......just wondering why

Well not quite Terry. Sporting shot guns and sporting rifles are carried for serious sporting usage, by some------a minority to be fair----- kilted gentlemen in Scotland on occasion. Pictures could be supplied, but rule 11 prevents it.