91st Plaid Brooch

[Aerowallah]

A friend picked this up and it confuses me, not that it's in my line.

Is it supposed to be gilt?

Why this registry mark and no other hallmarks? Thanks for your help.

[Luke H]

British hallmarks are used to certify an item as solid silver or gold. Hence a plated item which is not made from one of the former would not have hallmarks.

I would imagine it would have originally had a gilt finish which has worn away to the underlying brass / gilding metal.

[cbuehler]

A superb brooch. There may actually be more gilt on it than it would appear. A cleaning with a polish recommended for silver or gilt will bring it up if so desired. I use Flitz liquid, not the paste, for such items.

CB

[Aerowallah]

Thanks for the info all!

[Aerowallah]

PS I'm told there is a silver and a gilt version. Who wore the gilt?

[Borderer]

Marshall & Sons of 87 George St Edinburgh silver smiths traded between 1835 to 1890 and made numerable items for Scottish Regiments, remember you must under stand the history of the Regimental item worn by Officers and Soldiers, for example all items worn by the Pipers of the King's Own Scottish Borderers were paid for by the Officers of the Regiment and not from the public purse as per a General Order in the 1850's, so one would expect some items not to carry silver marks, like this case it is plated silver and gilt.

Cheers
Hiram

https://albanarms.com/?p=12985

[Paul Spellman]

The registration mark is the same as the silver one sold by Allied and Axis Militaria though that has no gilt plus it’s cairnstone ambient light is not affected by the gilt as in the one posted
You need to pay £8.40 to the NA (as I guess the document is fragile) to get the full description which should tell you the finish of the item.
The details on the Rg tablet led here
Paul

[Aerowallah]

But do we know who wore gilt and who wore silver? It seems very un-uniform to leave it up to individual officers' tastes...

[Paul Spellman]

I’ve shown you available info from the national archive which can be accessed by anyone, there is a fee to pay to get the complete details of the patent registration which should tell you amongst other details if the finish is silver or gilt, however seeing that there is a silver one on the website I mentioned with the ‘same” registration I fully expect any details to say it should be silver and no mention of gilt.
The finish on your example I suspect has been added at a later date for reasons which I do not know nor would speculate on, there are no coloured photos of the period wear and any contemporary artists works (an example shown)all show an obvious silver/white metal finish on the plaid brooch but the correct gilding metal where appropriate on other insignia
I know of no gilt plaid brooches like this other than to the odd colonial regiment or where gilt has been used on a specific overlay or device on the brooch but would certainly be interested to see myself if anyone has a another gilt one to any Scottish Regt of the British Army
Paul

[Aerowallah]

Thanks, Paul...our first emails crossed. I think your suggestion to get the details of the patent is the way to go.

[Borderer]

Originally Posted by Aerowallah

But do we know who wore gilt and who wore silver? It seems very un-uniform to leave it up to individual officers' tastes...

Hi Aerowallah,

Regards who wore Gilt or Silver. Traditionally in the KOSB: Pipers wore silver/white metal badges, plaid brooches, buttons and collar badges and Drummers wore silver/white metal badges, plaid brooches, brass/anodized buttons and collar badges. The Pipe Major all silver even the doublet lace, where as the Drum Major buttons gilt, lace gold. So traditionally silver for pipers gilt/gold drummers.

As a guide look at a 1970's photograph of the Mass Pipes and Drums marching down the esplanade during the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and you will see the Drum Majors in gold and the Pipe Majors in silver throughout.

Regards
Hiram