Kilt pin advice

[ELY]

Hello!
I have the opportunity of buying the kilt pin below from a local buy and sell site.
I have seen similar ones, with similar stones on the kilt pin thread.
Seller wants 20€ for it, plus postage.
It is made by A. Hill & Co Ltd. of Birmingham, established in 1946.

What do you think? Worth it or pass?
138352584_1.jpg.jpg138352584_3.jpg.jpg138352584_4.jpg.jpg

[Terry Searl]

Hello!
I have the opportunity of buying the kilt pin below from a local buy and sell site.
I have seen similar ones, with similar stones on the kilt pin thread.
Seller wants 20€ for it, plus postage.
It is made by A. Hill & Co Ltd. of Birmingham, established in 1946.

What do you think? Worth it or pass?
138352584_1.jpg.jpg138352584_3.jpg.jpg138352584_4.jpg.jpg

I think it is pretty enough depending on how large they are. I think you have to be careful about the weight of a kilt pin as they may stress the weave of the material of the kilt......just my thoughts

[mm42]

It sounds good value for a vintage piece.

[Gryphon noir]

I think it is pretty enough depending on how large they are. I think you have to be careful about the weight of a kilt pin as they may stress the weave of the material of the kilt......just my thoughts

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I tend to wear larger kilt pins, measuring about 2 1/2" across, but I wear them higher than most people, about 8" from the lower selveged edge of the outer apron. Rounded pins are my preference (as opposed to miniature claymores or bits of stag horn), so that they are less likely to snag. This works very well with 16 0z. wool, and does not stress the fabric. I don't think I would try it on a lighter weight kilt, though. The larger pins have sufficient weight, and of course they are pinned through only the outer apron.

One thing that I find helps keep the pins from pulling on the fabric, and also keeps them from falling off in the unlikely event that the pin should disengage, is to push a piece of elastic band over the pin and snug it up against the fabric. Do the same at the pointy end of the pin. Works a treat.

[OC Richard]

I'm not a fan of kilt pins either.

It's mainly from the practical considerations the other Richard brought up.

Being in the pipe band world since the 1970s, there have been several times when I've looked through pile of old band kilts. It's night and day, the kilts from a band that wears kilt pins, and the one that doesn't. The front aprons of the non-pin-wearing band's kilts will be in good condition, few if any holes.

On the other hand, nearly every front apron on the pin-wearing band's kilts will have holes, some small, some you can put a finger through. Some kilts will have rips rather than holes, rips a few inches long in some cases. Why? Well your band is playing in a crowded pub or restaurant, and you're marching through, squeezing between tables and people, and both your hands are on your chanter, and your kilt is constantly brushing past things, and many of these things are catching and tugging on the pin. The big tears and rips are usually on the drummer's kilts. Drums are heavy and have metal bits sticking out. Whenever the drummers unhook their drums to put them down one of those bits can catch on the kilt pin and kilt fabric isn't going to stand up to being pulled apart by a 15 pound drum going to the ground.

Also kilt pins are unnecessary do-dads. They serve no function. I don't stick pins on my pants, on my shirts, on my jackets. So why stick one on my kilt?

Then there are the historical considerations, if you care about that. Kilt pins seem to not appear until around the middle of the 19th century, and were a bit uncommon until the 20th. They have never been essential (unless you're in the Gordon Highlanders).

Outdoor Highland Dress in the 1860s. The only metal bit is the watch chain. No cap badge, no kilt pin, no badge on the sporran, no sgian, the sporran on a plain leather belt. And also no flashes, which nowadays many consider necessary.

[Tarheel]

I like it and would pay the price. I agree that the weight may be an issue on possibility tearing the kilt or wearing holes. I see there is a loop that maybe this pin could be worn on a chain (necklace). The stone look good and good quality. A fortunate find.

[ThistleDown]

Are you aware that this is actually a reproduction 19C ladies' brooch? No reason why you should not wear it as a kilt-pin, of course, and it is a lovely piece.

[ELY]

Are you aware that this is actually a reproduction 19C ladies' brooch? No reason why you should not wear it as a kilt-pin, of course, and it is a lovely piece.

Yes, the seller states in his ad that it is a repro. And the hook to hang it from a chain gives the lady's part of it away. But I have seen so many lovely Miracle pins and brooches on kilts, and I kind of like it.

[kingandrew]

I say go for it. It's a lovely, distinctive piece. Depending on size, it might work well as a kilt pin or as a plaid brooch. Or just as a bit of bling in your outfit

Andrew

[RichardtheLarge]

My personal advice on kilt pins—don’t wear them. With that said, this is an attractive piece of jewelry.