Antique Kilt Pin

[M. A. C. Newsome]

A while ago, Daniel posted about some of the 19th century kilt pins that the Scottish Tartans Museum gift shop had on consigment, listed on their specials page.

I mentioned on that thread that there was one kilt pin that never made it on the web site, because I snatched it up as soon as I saw it. I promised to eventually post pictures, and I am just now getting around to it.

My normal practice with kilt pins is just to leave them pinned to the kilt that I will be wearing it with. I find the less I have to take the pin on and off, the less wear and tear on the kilt. But this one is an exception. It is staying neatly packed away except for special occasions. Last night's Burns Supper was just such an occasion, and I snapped these photos before affixing it to my kilt.

This little pin is made to look just like an officer's dirk, complete with the by-knife and fork set.


Sterling silver, amethyst stones, and hand carved blackwood. That alone was enough to make me buy it. Once it was in my possession, I took a silver polishing cloth and started to shine up the silver bits. As I was polishing the top pommel, I felt the handle "pop" loose. I thought I had broken it!

But to my delight, I discovered instead that this pin was more interesting than I thought! The "dirk" was in fact an actual knife with a wee little blade.


The two smaller handles are just decorative, but still I am very excited to have come across this and to be able to show it off.


As I said, I debuted it last night at our Burns Supper. Here you can see it being worn with honor, about mid-hip, where I like to wear my kilt pins these days.

[ShaunMaxwell]

Very nice, indeed! I've been wondering when you were going to get around to posting the photo of the pin you'd mentioned. Well worth the wait!

[McMurdo]

Wonderful pin Matt, I was looking at the anchor pin, unfortunately for me someone else snapped it up. Hopefully I can find one suitable soon.

[mookien]

Wicked! Beautiful acquisition, and what a pleasant surprise. I'd keep that one locked up, too.

One convenience of that mid-hip location is that you can simply pat your leg to make sure your kilt pin, and its accessories, are securely attached.

[bigdad1]

That is really a great pin Matt. Lucky you.

[chewse]

Very cool!

[artificer]

Fantastic! If someone would start manufacturing THOSE they'd certainly have my order!
ith:

[Ryan Ross]

I like the pin.

I love the sporran. Wonder where you got that from.

EDIT: You hid the thread on it!

[Santa Kona]

Sometimes it good to be the one in charge. Great Pin.