Quote Originally Posted by Panache View Post
Sorry about that, the gentleman had two on display. He had mentioned that one was a cut down (a carbine ?) and was used by Scottish scouts in the French Indian War. I believe he also mentioned that while the dirk was still part of the kit for the French Indian Wars, the baskethilt sword was dropped in favor of a hatchet/tomahawk which is interesting as it doesn't come to mind immediately as a Highlander's weapon. I assume it was adopted on the continent.

To be sure this isn't my forte' (That's why we have Todd ) but its quite interesting.

I enjoyed the "Warriors" painting juxtaposed with the re-enactor's garb photo. It looks like he did a pretty fair job on his costume.


Cheers

Jamie
Some highlanders operating as light troops, or when accompanying ranger units, altered their kits for more efficiency in the woods, including leaving their broadswords behind, and "bobbing" their musket barrels to a shorter length (but not THAT short!). However, regular line troops in highland regiments still generally carried their swords during the French & Indian War. The 78th Regiment (Fraser's) with their broadswords pursued and slaughtered numerous retreating Frenchmen at Quebec in 1759.
By the time of the American Revolution, though, highland troops were mostly leaving their swords in storage and relying upon their bayonets....