Thanks for your reply. I've answered within the body of your original message, below:

Quote Originally Posted by 48HofC View Post
The lugs on a Argyll cap badge are closer together than the ones on Cameron or Seaforth's, out of curiosity I just checked my pre 60's ones.

That's interesting... Seaforth's lug spacing is indeed wide but the Argyll's badge is approx H80mm x W60mm, whereas the Cameron's badge is approx H60mm xW55mm. The lugs on the Cameron's badge look to be at approx 45mm centres - I'll need to measure. From photos, I'd have guessed the Argyll's lugs to be at 50mm+ centres?

You need to keep an open mind that the bonnets may not even be military since every pipe band was wearing them in the era you are looking at.

True, I am going on 'vague recollections' that they were bought from ex-servicemen for use in pipe bands.

Without MOD or regimental markings, the odds are they are civie bonnets with military badges stuck on them, or if they are of an extra fine quality, they could be officer private purchase. I have seen civilian bands wearing all the dicing styles you have described and the red/white check is indeed what the Argylls wore, as well as the Canadian Argylls, the Calgary Highlanders etc.

Why would a civvie playing in a pipe band do this? Would the band not have its own badge?

When it comes to condition, it all leads back to quality when originally purchased because they do all age differently from exposure to sun, rain, feather quality etc. How many tails are on each of the bonnets?
Four tails on each bonnet.