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Thread: Piper's Dirk

  1. #11
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    20th July 12
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    Quote Originally Posted by OC Richard View Post
    Both Battalions? Also, did the officers of the 1st Battalion wear silver-mounted dirks, or were both Battalions gilt? Did the pipers and officers have a different pattern of dirk?
    The correct term for the tip of the dirk is a chape. The trefoil chape design is the regimental pattern for the Seaforth Highlanders Officer's dirks (post 1881). It is sometimes present on pre 1881 dirks as well. It took a while for the regimental patterns to become standardized. Another indicator is that at the bottom of the dirk handle a feather bonnet and crossed swords are carved on the front side.

    Pipers had a fairly plain dirk, but it also had the small knife and fork. The handles of the dirk and bi knife and fork weren't canted to the side, but faced straight up. I had a reproduction of this type of dirk made. I have some reference material that says the 1st Bn had silver mounts and the 2nd Bn gilt, however, I've never seen any silver ones personally. I have seen a photo of a silver (plated I think) Officer's dirk, but it was described as a VB dirk.

  2. #12
    Join Date
    3rd August 13
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    Lanark Highlands, Ontario, Canada
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    I want to thank everyone involved for a very helpful thread.

  3. #13
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    22nd January 13
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    Lake Macquarie, near Newcastle NSW
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    Quote Originally Posted by Altenberg Bagpiper View Post
    I have seen a photo of a silver (plated I think) Officer's dirk, but it was described as a VB dirk.
    Had a quick look back over the thread, but did not see where "VB" might be explained. Volunteer Battalion? Victoria Battalion? Fifth Battalion? In Australia, one of the mass-produced, heavily advertised beers is Victoria Bitter, almost invariably referred to as VB. Is that the connotation here, an inexpensive item for tastes at the LCD end of the scale? (LCD = lowest common denominator.)

    But I agree with Farmer Jones, and thank contributors for an interesting thread.
    Grizzled Ian
    XMTS teaches much about formal kilt wear, but otherwise,
    ... the kilt is clothes, what you wear with it should be what you find best suits you and your lifestyle. (Anne the Pleater)
    "Sometimes, it is better not to know the facts" (Father Bill)

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