Scottish Regiment Prints...anybody ever seen these?

**longhuntr74** · 3rd May 12, 08:47 AM

I acquired these prints last week in NC from a friend of a friend who is a collector and seller of old books, etc. During our evening discussion, he dragged these and a bunch of military uniform prints out (when he learned of my interests of kilts, military history, and 18th Century reenactments) and told me to take any of them that I liked or wanted. I have no clue of the source or purpose of these prints. Was wondering if anybody else has seen these. I don't recall ever seeing them posted to XMTS in my past 3 years as a member...so figured I'd share. I apologize for the shadows around the edges...the prints are larger than the bed of my scanner.

**guardsman** · 3rd May 12, 11:24 AM

Mackenzie tartan for HLI,my grandfathers regiment

**creagdhubh** · 3rd May 12, 12:10 PM

Awesome prints! I especially like the officer from the Royal Scots - what a tall chap and that's how I like to see tartan trews worn (form fitting and fishtail design up top, no doubt)! Complete with the quintessential cigarette in his hand. Classic!

Cheers,

**chrisupyonder** · 3rd May 12, 12:24 PM

Very nice. The shadow at the edges adds to the aged look of the prints.

Chris.

**theborderer** · 3rd May 12, 12:33 PM

Thank for the fine prints, it gives us a good view of the Dress of the day.

**Sheep In Wolf's Clothing** · 3rd May 12, 06:01 PM

Those are great!! Thanks for posting them.
Sara

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 3rd May 12, 06:59 PM

Back in the 40s and 50s these prints were a promotional give away in the USA and Canada by Dewars Whisky. There were, as I recall, about a dozen prints that were available, literally, for the asking. I have (I think) either 8 or 12 of these, in the original envelopes that they came in from Dewars in New York. I would probably consider selling them as a set, if anyone is interested in buying them.

**ThistleDown** · 4th May 12, 12:56 AM

I have three of these and, as Rathdown said, they were promotional handouts by Dewars. Hiram Walker in Canada produced a similar set on the Highland Regiments of Canada in the mid-1950s and I have that complete and in its original portfolio.

**Tobus** · 4th May 12, 04:48 AM

Nice artistry there! It's funny how easily identifiable the '40s and '50s stylized depictions of men can be. One might think that there were no short, pudgy men back then.

I'm surprised there are no examples of kilts included.

One question. In the example of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, he's wearing his sword with the hilt to the rear. Is this common for dress occasions or parades or something? That seems totally backwards to me.

**longhuntr74** · 10th May 12, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Nice artistry there! It's funny how easily identifiable the '40s and '50s stylized depictions of men can be. One might think that there were no short, pudgy men back then.

I'm surprised there are no examples of kilts included.

One question. In the example of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, he's wearing his sword with the hilt to the rear. Is this common for dress occasions or parades or something? That seems totally backwards to me.

In the KOSB picture, he's actually carrying the sword in his hand, I believe. But to answer your question (based on my knowledge of US custom...not sure about the Scottish regiments), the saber is worn "backwards" with the handguard facing the body and the tip facing forward. When drawn in the manual of arms, the scabbard is grasped in the left hand and the grip is rotated forward, moving the tip rearward (the saber oriented as a downward crescent) The right hand grasps the grip and draws it from the scabbard to the front....it seems weird...but that's how it's done in the U.S. Army anyhow. Guessing the other U.S. services and perhaps the Brits/Scots are similar.