Blanket Pin

**Bugbear** · 21st January 09, 12:38 PM

I wear mine with the end that opens pointing downward. Why would I want to wear it pointing upwards?

**JSFMACLJR** · 21st January 09, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by thomaschisholm

It is possible to find 'blanket pins'/kilt pins finished in brass or copper. I have also painted a pin in black. These are just personal variations. When studying some of the vintage kilt pictures, some men wore the pins 'upside down' which opens up another set of 'kilt rules'...So,lets get pinning!,
Tom.

I've only ever worn mine with the opening "down." If for some odd reason the pin were to open, I figure it won't fall out.

**Bugbear** · 21st January 09, 01:05 PM

It would probably never open on it's own, however, once you open it, it can slip out of your fingers. It's also much easier to put on the kilt with the pointy end going downward because you don't have to lift up the apron to get it on there. Just seems natural.

**ThistleDown** · 21st January 09, 05:55 PM

This was my grandfather's, with his crest, so sometime in the late 19C (I have not checked the sterling marks for a date). Obvious it has to be used with the clasp down or the couchant stag would be a deceased stag

**Bugbear** · 21st January 09, 07:07 PM

How prone are the silver pins to getting bent out of shape?

**Standard** · 21st January 09, 09:58 PM

I've several antique horse blanket pins. Has anyone had serious side effects i.e. large holes permenantly damaging the apron from using this type of kilt pin as opposed to the thinner pin of the newer style of kilt pin?

**JSFMACLJR** · 21st January 09, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

How prone are the silver pins to getting bent out of shape?

I've never had a problem, Ted. What sort of things are you doing that could cause your kilt pin to bend?

**Bugbear** · 21st January 09, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

I've never had a problem, Ted. What sort of things are you doing that could cause your kilt pin to bend?

Oh, I'm sorry, JSFMACLJR. I don't have a sterling silver blanket pin; mine is some kind of steel...

I was just wondering if the silver might not be as... springy I guess. When I push mine closed, it puts tension on the coiled part at one end and the pointy arm.

I guess there is no problem with that bending over time, though.

**Jock Scot** · 22nd January 09, 05:01 AM

My silver kilt pin has been going since 1913, spent 4, on and off, years in the trenches, and is still going strong! At least I don't have worry about rust!

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 22nd January 09, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Standard

I've several antique horse blanket pins. Has anyone had serious side effects i.e. large holes permenantly damaging the apron from using this type of kilt pin as opposed to the thinner pin of the newer style of kilt pin?

The short answer is "no", but I have found dozens of kilt pins on the field at highland games where the tin pin has bowed and pulled out of the clasp, allowing the pin to fall off the kilt.

By the way, to prevent the loss of a "proper" kilt pin, one should always make sure that the clasp faces the hem, not the waist, of the kilt.