Feather bonnet age?

[48HofC]

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. 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. 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. 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?