mixing metals

**plaid preacher** · 20th January 14, 10:55 AM

What do people think about cantles and belt buckles? Recently I purchased a doublet and a new dress sporran off ebay, which I hope to wear this weekend to a Burns concert by the Stratford Symphony. Now here's the problem, I never dreamt I would own such a nice doublet, and therefore when I was purchasing my belt and buckle, I chose a matt pewter buckle, assuming I would only be wearing it when I was in a casual situation when I would not have a waistcoat on. Now that I own a doublet, however, the buckle will be prominently one display over top of the jacket. So what say you all? I suspect this weekend I will have to make do with what I have, but I will keep an eye out in future.

...and yes... photos will be taken.

Thanks for your thoughts.

**artificer** · 20th January 14, 10:59 AM

It's all white metal, I wouldn't worry about it.

BTW: The Old Highland Regiments did it all the time, I believe the RRS does as well. It's not uncommon to see a white metal badge mounted on a brass cantled sporran.

Unless you've got to make an appearance at Court (where all silver is specified) you've got some leeway.

ith:

**MacRobert's Reply** · 20th January 14, 11:30 AM

It may help us to know what style of doublet have you purchased plaid preacher. Perhaps you could transform your matt pewter buckle into polished pewter with a bit of metal polish.

**plaid preacher** · 20th January 14, 02:00 PM

Well MacRoberts, it is a black velvet balmoral doublet ;

I'm afraid polishing probably won't work, as it has a pebbled finish to it... at best it would be lots of grinding.

**MacRobert's Reply** · 20th January 14, 02:31 PM

A fine doublet Plaid Preacher. I sometimes wear mine open with the belt around the kilt rather than the doublet. I generally do this because it is cooler. However, the belt and buckle are less prominent when worn like this.

**Downunder Kilt** · 20th January 14, 02:48 PM

As Scott mentioned, the British Army didn't seem to mind mixing metals in the early 1950's when the MK1 MoD sporran was designed, they used a brass cantle, with white metal studs attached to the face of the cantle.
DSC00021.JPG

**plaid preacher** · 20th January 14, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

As Scott mentioned, the British Army didn't seem to mind mixing metals in the early 1950's when the MK1 MoD sporran was designed, they used a brass cantle, with white metal studs attached to the face of the cantle.
DSC00021.JPG

Picking up on that them, I still have a brass military buckle with regimental crest (white metal) on it. I suspect it fits my kilt belt too.

**MacRobert's Reply** · 21st January 14, 01:54 AM

Mixing metals is not a problem with highland dress but like shoes, the metal should shine for formal wear. The military buckle sounds fine. What regiment were you in?

**English Bloke** · 21st January 14, 05:01 AM

Don't worry about it, no one will notice... or care.

**plaid preacher** · 21st January 14, 09:42 AM

MacRobert, not a regiment but a branch. This plaid preacher was a chaplain in the Canadian Forces Reserve for a number of years. Most of my career was with the Service Battalion (the deliverers beans, bullets and benzene as my first CO used to say) and for a short time I was with the Governor General Horse Guards. I was also had staff responsibilities with the HQ