Inviting Critiscism.... For Jock Scot etc.

[BCAC]

Jock Scot,

Thank you for your input, very helpful!

It may be hard to see but the sporran is on a leather strap. I have a chain but I never use it for the reason you mentioned.

:ootd: Karl

If that's the case it is very expertly disguised as a chain!

[Kilted Karl]

The leather belt is braided so in the right light it does look rather like a chain.

:ootd: Karl

[OC Richard]

I question the accuracy of that statue.

The sporran doesn't resemble any sporran I've seen worn by The Cameron Highlanders in WWII, or indeed the sporran of any regiment. Without having a period photo of Bill Millin in front of me, which could prove me wrong, I would guess that the sculptor was basing the sporran on a civilian one he happened to be using for reference.

Here's a page from an old catalogue of standard civilian sporran styles. You'll note that several have the big exposed snap that appears on the statue; in fact the civilian sporran at top left appears to be what the sculptor had in mind. I've not seen a military sporran made like that. Also on this page, at top right, is a sporran with an exposed stud closure such as was used by the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, and, without tassels, by The Black Watch. The Camerons didn't use either the big exposed snap, or the exposed stud.



The Cameron Highlanders wore a sporran with a hidden fastener on the flap and no tassels. Here it is



Luckily for the reenactor this is exactly the style now worn by The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and it's widely and cheaply available. The RRS even wear the old Cameron sporran badge, I think. (Of course you'd want 'white metal' or German Silver rather than the modern Staybrite.)

Here it is



About your civilian kit, it looks fine to me, though I did note the buttondown collar. Oddly, I recently saw a Tattersall shirt by an established English maker with a buttondown collar! So even the British aren't immune to it.

It is very difficult to find a true British-style Tattersall shirt over here in the States, but in one of my recent mall-scrounging expeditions I finally found one! It's the first time, in years of looking, that I found a shirt here that meets all the parameters of the traditional British Tattersall shirt.

[Kilted Karl]

Dear OC Richard,

I question the accuracy of that statue.

The sporran doesn't resemble any sporran I've seen worn by The Cameron Highlanders in WWII, or indeed the sporran of any regiment. Without having a period photo of Bill Millin in front of me, which could prove me wrong, I would guess that the sculptor was basing the sporran on a civilian one he happened to be using for reference.

Really interesting info about the sporrans, that I did not know. That being said, the Sporran on the statue and the sporran I made are reproductions of the sporran that Bill Millin was wearing (I included a picture of the original in post #16). The all of the details on the sculpture were approved by Mr. Millin himself. And the sculptor was kind enough to give me much of his research.

At the time of the D-Day landings Mr. Millin was out of the Camerons and in the Commandos where there were no "official" pipers. That sporran is definitely the one Mr. Millin was wearing so my best guess is that it was a personal one of his. You may have some information I don't know but that is what I know. Also, I don't think it is a snap, looking at some more detailed photographs of the original I believe it is a button... I could of course be wrong.

Sincerely,

:ootd: Karl

[Theyoungkiltman]

I dunna think the sporran is too small but if it was higher it would appear to be bigger. Otherwise excellent job considering you "Ispoke" made it!

[Guinach]

In looking at the photo of the sergeant in post #23,
How is he wearing his jacket? Is it tucked into the kilt with the belt over it?

Also,
Is there someone in the states that sells the MOD sporran?
Thanks,
Konn

[Kilted Karl]

The Soldier is wearing a P40 austerity pattern Battledress Blouse. It gets pleated into a waistband and the p37 webbing belt is worn over that waistband so No, it is not tucked into the kilt.

Reproductions of P37 or P40 BD blouses can be found but your best bet is to find a post war (open collared) p39 blouse or a postwar (Closed collared style as in the photo although he is wearing his open) Greek BD blouse. Ebay is a great place to look and other places can be found with an easy Google search.

Sincerely,

:ootd: Karl

[Guinach]

Interesting.
Was or Would the denim version of the jacket be worn with the kilt in warm weather?

And is he wearing the short gaiters?
Thanks,
K

[Kilted Karl]

I know for certain that Piper Bill Millin had a Denim BD while he was at Achnacharry so I would imagine it would be a possibility.

[Guinach]

Thanks for your opinion and
the information.
What price glory has some interesting gear.

I'll put together a wish list for the wife.
K