MOD "surplus" vs WPG

[puffer]

In another post this was posted.

#10 Today, 10:14 AM
Mael Coluim
Kilted Elder Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Spotsylvania, Virginia USA
Posts: 1,688

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nanook
Why grab for a less than stellar Asian replica of a Gordon Highlanders kilt when the market has large numbers of un-issued or 1st grade army kilts available. These tartans and patterns are, in an Army context, now obsolete. Army kilts have quite a different quality of material (expensive heavy wool spun tartan with a special sheen and feel that only Robert Noble could deliver), quite a different standard of workmanship (hand made by some of the finest kiltmakers in Scotland including Thomas Gordon & Sons of Glasgow) and more accurate pattern (literally the "real thing"). Unless one is of a size not available in military stocks (they did not go much beyond 38" waist or 28" in length) and one does not want to have one made up (the tartans are getting increasingly difficult to source as they were amalgamated nearly 15 years ago) I see no reason for anyone to purchase one as long as these surplus kilts are flowing into the market.

Nanook interesting point. Do you have any websites where the original issue could be obtained? I have only know of happy customers of the WPG's wares from the east. I am one too! But to have an original army issue would be a fine posession.
__________________
Mael Coluim of Virginia
The Journeys of St. Columba

Here are some of my thoughts.

FIRST I agree with NANOOK. here is why.

WPG KILTS = I own a couple of WPG kilts & they are very good.
1. POSITIVES = Great $$ - Heavy 20-22 0z. WOOL -well made - Pleats deep & good ( on my "Gordon" the pleats to stripe are very good) - Great Co. to work with.-AVAILABLE.

2. NEUTRAL = The material is "coarser" than "MOD Issue - The fit is good, but they are "off the rack" & therefor as "Tailored" ( in my case, the BREACH is a little large & the "line" is a little more "flared")

Here are a couple of pictures




MOD SURPLUS = Sadly @ this time I only own 1. But I have a number friends that own them, including several who own their original Issue ( incl. 2 OFFICERS)

1. POSITIVES = Heavy WT WOOL ( note the WEIGHT varies according to ISSUE DATE & whether ORs or Officer "grade" ( seems to average 18 0z to 20 oz ???)- GREAT FINISH on the wool material ( Fantastic on the officers grade) - VERY WELL MADE - FIT VERY GOOD ( note, you must pay attention to ALL 3 MEASUREMENTS ( waist,BREACH & length.) Hold the "pleats extremely well.

2. Getting difficult to find esp. to fit your measurements - Also note that if you find one "used, condition can be a PROBLEM, so be CAREFUL)

Here is a picture of my MOD Black Watch




IMHO, if you can get a MOD, then DO SO, but a if not a WPG is a very good alternative. Here is another alterative ( 1 of these is on my "GET LIST" )
http://stores.ebay.com/Bugpipers-Pip...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

PUFFER

[Mael Coluim]

Very good analysis, Puffer. It comes down to the word, availability.

[macwilkin]

Perhaps the "mysterious Nanook" could also tell us a wee bit more about himself since he seems to have such personal knowledge?

Todd

[Phogfan86]

Sorry, but can someone update the noob here -- MOD? That's a new one on me.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Sorry, but can someone update the noob here -- MOD? That's a new one on me.

MOD (or MoD) is the Acronym for the Ministry of Defense, the UK equivalent of the U.S. Dept. of Defense (DOD or DoD)

[Woodsheal]

Sorry, but can someone update the noob here -- MOD? That's a new one on me.

Ministry of Defense, i.e. the United Kingdom's defense department....

Oops, Mac beat me to it!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

TIE! We both win the prize...

[Nanook]

Nanook interesting point. Do you have any websites where the original issue could be obtained?

They have been showing up in quantity at a lot of UK based militaria dealers over the past year or two as Army storehouses pushed them out for tuppence. On the European continent they tend to cost around 150-200 EURO and in the UK 60-120 quid depending upon size and dealer. Stock sizes range to fit 5'3" height with a 25" waist to 6'2" with 39" waist. Breech measures are quite standard for a normal waist-hip among soldiers: from 28" waist and 34" hips with every inch more waist, one inch larger hips with adjusts 1 inch either way (woman's wear tend to look towards about a inch more hip room but follow, more or less, the same pattern).
One very important thing to keep in mind about Army kilts: they are intended to fit snug (as in suck in your gut and pull tight) and high. They should not be able to move or shift even during extreme physical exertion.

IMHO, if you can get a MOD, then DO SO, but a if not a WPG is a very good alternative. Here is another alterative ( 1 of these is on my "GET LIST" )
http://stores.ebay.com/Bugpipers-Pip...QQftidZ2QQtZkm
PUFFER

There are quite a few ex-Army kiltmakers around who can do a good job. I personally would rather have them make things that I can't source or were never made rather than cut replicas.

Perhaps the "mysterious Nanook" could also tell us a wee bit more about himself since he seems to have such personal knowledge?

I think I must have posted a few hundred messages here so I don't quite know what can be so "mysterious". Sure I don't have a profile and can't receive or send private messages but that's only because you ("the moderators" of this forum) don't let me (and have not for some years).

[McFarkus]

Another drawback to MOD kilts, they are generally not available in larger sizes.

[Jack Daw]

Good link, Puffer! Thanks!