I’ve had these items for about 6mths but only now have I been able to sort out picture uploading. When I walked into my local op-shop the ladies were very excited to show me ... “a new kilt for you luv” 10seconds later the card was tapping the machine and it was mine! I got home and found it sort of fits me but unless the current ‘Beast from the East’ hits Australia I doubt I’ll get much wear from it... it’s heavy! The historical aspects have me excited however my usual research skills appeared to have failed me on this one. So ..... what have I got? Is it Military? Tartan? (Although I think is Black Watch) Stats -Yr 1961 (obviously) -Drop 23-1/2 inches front apron 24 inches back - Waist 38 to 41 inches -Fell 8 inches - 2 Hip buckles, 1 Inner apron buckle.
A week later my ladies called me to the op-shop “Here you go dear” I’ve no idea what this jacket is so any superior knowledge is welcome
The kilt is made from the Gordon Tartan. C. G. C. F. Stands for Commonwealth Government Clothing Factory The kilt was perhaps altered at some point. It appears to have fairly new buckles stamped out of flat stock and there is machine stitching visible at the top of the inner lining. It may also have been re-stitched as the width of the pleats does not appear consistent. I can't see well from the angle but it appears that the left side strap hole is lower than the right side upper strap. It is also badly in need of a basting and re-pressing to get rid of those shower curtain folds.
Last edited by The Wizard of BC; 9th March 18 at 03:01 PM.
Steve Ashton www.freedomkilts.com Skype (webcam enabled) thewizardofbc I wear the kilt because: Swish + Swagger = Swoon.
Lady Grey
Thanks Steve That’s a start .... If it’s Military I found this excerpt 5th Battalion (The Victorian Scottish Regiment) Raised: 1898 Tartan: Gordon
Well the date on the label says 1961. The Victoria Scottish was disbanded in 1960 becoming Royal Victoria Regt. The 5/6 RVR Pipes and Drums wear the Gordon Tartan today.
Last edited by The Wizard of BC; 9th March 18 at 03:19 PM.
Steve you’re a legend... Now I’m on a roll! I’ve not touched it, only hung it in the cupboard. You are correct about the strap holes. As a weird aside - where strange things intersect. I was looking at the Gordon tartan on Dr Google. Clan Gordon is led by The Marquis of Huntly. That’s my son’s middle name (no e ) It comes from his paternal grandmothers family going back generations to Scotland. Strange coincidence.
So I found this picture https://www.rvr.asn.au/rvr-gallery?lightbox=image1ikn Perhaps the jacket IS part of the uniform of the RVR Pipes & Drum Band? (I’d always assumed it was just something in the op-shop) I know nothing of jackets civilian, military or band. I’d love to know -as it would lead me down the rabbit hole of putting together as many authentic bits & bobs for my amusement and satisfaction gotta have a hobby!
5th/6th RVR Pipes and Drums ANZAC Day, 2017: Unit History: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th/6t...toria_Regiment
As it is a tad harder to move a strap hole than it is to move a strap and buckle - May I suggest that you lower the right straps and buckles so that the top right strap is equal to the left strap hole. If you do this prior to trying to wear this and you make sure that you sew the buckles and straps all the way though the interfacing and the stabilizer, under the out Tartan fabric, you will save yourself a lot of trouble down the road. The outer Tartan fabric is already starting to distort, probably as someone did not catch the interfacing when they moved the right straps and buckles. I think you will find that the distance from the center of the left strap hole, up to the top of the kilt is between 3 and 4 inches.
Last edited by The Wizard of BC; 9th March 18 at 04:43 PM.
One of those pipers needs to get his jacket sorted.
Proud Mountaineer from the Highlands of West Virginia; son of the Revolution and Civil War; first Europeans on the Guyandotte
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