Trying to find the oldest kilt

**The Wizard of BC** · 24th April 07, 05:25 PM

Here is a kilt that came into the shop a couple of weeks ago.

All I know about it's history is that it survived WWI and WWII, was worn regularly till about 1955 when the gentleman passed it to his son.

The son promised to bring me more information. Anyone want to guess the Tartan?

Along with the kilt were a horsehair sporran with very thick hand-made chain, a belt with regimental buckle, a pair of hand-knit hose, Black flashes about 10" long, and a sgain dubh with silver fittings. All in perfect condition for being worn that much and stored for that long.

This shows the apron and the straps. One short hip strap and one loooong waist strap which goes all the way around.

This shows the back. There is one loop centered in the back to hold the long strap from shifting. This also shows the inside of the aprons.

A detail of the one loop centered at the back.

Pleat depth is right at 1 3/4".

This shows the straps and how they fasten. Note the loop on the front apron.

Here is the label. It reads Thos. Gordon & Sons. Ltd. Glasgow.

**MacWage** · 24th April 07, 05:33 PM

Steve, it's Gunn, right. Do I win it now??

And in a tartan I WANT too . . .

Also, the belt is JUST like the one Matt discussed in THIS blog:
http://blog.albanach.org/2006/05/nov...ilt.html#links
AND
http://blog.albanach.org/2006/05/str...two.html#links

**The Wizard of BC** · 24th April 07, 05:45 PM

Bingo McWage. You have won a certificate printed on my own real color printer with the title Tartan Guesser Extraordinair Second Class. With my endorsement signed as 2nd Laird of Lochaber, in ink.

Now for the hard question. Does anyone know which unit wore this?

**macwilkin** · 25th April 07, 03:34 AM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Bingo McWage. You have won a certificate printed on my own real color printer with the title Tartan Guesser Extraordinair Second Class. With my endorsement signed as 2nd Laird of Lochaber, in ink.

Now for the hard question. Does anyone know which unit wore this?

The label that is in said kilt appears to be a civilian label; I had a ex-army kilt in Government Sett from Thomas Gordon, and the label looked completely different -- the most glaring thing missing from that label is the MoD's "broad arrow".

I don't know of any regiment that wore the Gunn tartan either.

Regards,

Todd

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 25th April 07, 04:39 AM

Steve,

That kilt is definitely a civilian kilt. No military unity that I know of wore the Gunn, but even if they did, it would not have been pleated to sett and would not have been in the ancient colors.

The coloration of this tartan leads me to beleive some mistake has been made in the dating of the kilt. Ancient colors (lighter versions of the standard tartan colors) did not get introduced into the market until shortly after WWII. Therefore this kilt would either have to be post-WWII, or if it's date or origin can be documented to before that time, we need to go back and rethink when the ancient colors were first introduced by the industry.

By the way, I really like that wrap around belt closure. I've been tempted to try it since I saw the one mentioned in my blog post that MacWage linked to. I'm told it gives the kilt a real "snug" feeling in the back. I just haven't gotten around to doing it yet.

Aye,
Matt

**The Wizard of BC** · 25th April 07, 07:25 AM

Matt, your thinking is absolutely the same as mine. That is why I couldn't post more information on the kilt. I Have NO documentation. Just family hearsay. The elderly lady that brought it in was the gentleman's wife and not the most reliable source.
In a short conversation afterwards with the son it appears the gentleman who owned the kilt may have been a civilian piper that was sent by the Canadian Govt. to Europe in something like a USO show.
More details forthcoming as I get them.

**MacWage** · 25th April 07, 07:37 AM

So, What's happening to the kilt???
Is she keeping it? Selling it?
Gving it to interested parties???

Martin S · 18th May 07, 02:44 AM

I have a second-hand Robertson hunting kilt with an identical Thos Gordon label.

No idea how old it is, but it's by far the best-made garment in my wardrobe (which contains at least a dozen other pofessionally made kilts).

Mr Gordon's shop still functions in Glasgow, and I'd love the opportunity to visit and see if they still make their kilts as skilfully.

Martin

**caig** · 18th May 07, 04:22 AM

About 4 years ago whilst in Braemar on a Clan Farquharson Gathering, I went into Lamont Sporrans, and saw an old Farquharson kit for sale. It did not fit mer but I bought it and had it re-made to fit me.

The kilt is pre-WW1 so must be a good 85+ years old. Extremely heavy cloth and the sett is huge. Very unusual and very rare. It the same as that worn by my Clan Chief and he says he inherited his, so his is likely to be much older than mine. The pleast are a good 4" deep, although the kiltmaker who altered it for me had to insert a very narrow pleat in the centre in order to keep the sett.

I wear it once or twice a year and just for special occasions. The photo is of me and my very dear late friend Brian at a legal event in Kendal in the English Lake District in July last year.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...DAL2006364.jpg