Scottish Broadsword

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

When I was with Wilkinson Sword we supplied broadswords with two scabbards-- the brown leather scabbard was attached to the sam browne belt with a frog, whereas the nickle plated metal scabbard was worn either attached to the sam browne belt with a seperate frog, or attached to a baldric. Checking my 1910 edition of DRESS WORN AT COURT I note that gentlemen in highland attire wore a baldric to carry their sword. I suppose the method of sword suspension really will be determined by what you are wearing.

[thescot]

When I was with Wilkinson Sword we supplied broadswords with two scabbards

Cool, you worked at Wilkinson Sword?

. . . Checking my 1910 edition of DRESS WORN AT COURT I note that gentlemen in highland attire wore a baldric to carry their sword. I suppose the method of sword suspension really will be determined by what you are wearing.

On Wikipedia--which is sometimes dependable, they had this to say about court dress:
"Scottish Dress
In 1898, a special dress with sword and dirk was allowed for Chiefs and petty Chiefs as a military uniform at court. By 1908, this was extended to Highland gentlemen, and comprised kilt, sporran, doublet of cloth or velvet, Highland belts, claymore, dirk, long plaid.

By 1912, the qualification was absent, and it was to comprise black silk velvet full dress doublet, set of silver celtic or crested buttons, superfine tartan full dress kilt, short trews, tartan stockings, full dress long shoulder plaid, white hair sporran, silver mounted and tassels, dirk with knife and fork, skean dhu (sock knife), patent leather shoulder belt, silver mounted, and waist belt with silver clasp. Silver mounted shoulder brooch, silver gilt pin, lace jabot, one pair buckles for instep of shoes, one pair small ankle buckles for shoes, full dress brogues. Highland claymore. Glengarry or Balmoral, crest or ornament. Cross belt of leather (or metal mounted) for carrying the sword worn over the right shoulder.

By 1937, the shoulder plaid became shoulder plaid or belted plaid. Dress sporran could be hair, fur, or skin, any pattern. Footwear was dress shoes and brogues. Highland Bonnet, feather or feathers if entitled. Highland pistols and powder horn may be worn.

Dress Doublet- of velvet, cloth or tartan. Waistcoat [if doublet is unbuttoned]- velvet, cloth, tartan; dress kilt; dress hose; plaid either shoulder or belted; shoulder brooch for plaid; dress sporran and strap or chain (sealskin, silver furnished top)- can be hair, fur, skin; Highland basket hilted sword, black leather or metal mounted scabbard; skean dhub (dress dirk); kilt pin; jabot, lace (lace, silk, satin or lawn stock); cuffs, lace; Ghillie Brogue shoes (leather uppers, soles and tassels) or Dress shoes (with buckle); Highland Bonnet; belt and buckle (leather and lined); flashes; Highland pistols and powder horn may be worn; gloves are not worn."

I added the emphases. Looks like they were pretty specific about how to suit up before the king, right down to the baldric.

Where can I get some highland pistols and a powder horn? I want one of those smashed cow's horns with silver tips! And a horsehair sporran would turn a few heads as well. I might even give Ole Panache a run for his money.

[Monkey@Arms]

Where can I get some highland pistols and a powder horn?

Don't know about the horn, but when it comes to historical highland pistols you have your choice of functional or non.

Or for those less formal occasions how about this nifty kilt pin?



Best regards,

Jake

[thescot]

Don't know about the horn, but when it comes to historical highland pistols you have your choice of functional or non.

. . .

I was joking, actually, but if I had 300 bucks for anything less than a new WPG kilt, I'd opt for the functional model. That would be cool to shoot, and a weapon that won't shoot (like an unloaded one, for example) is just a club.