Interestingly, you'll see people using the terms "baldric" "sash" "crossbelt" and "sword belt" more or less interchangeably, while in modern Highland uniforms these words refer to specific things.
Here are two regimental Drum Majors and two regimental Pipe Majors.
All four men are wearing "sashes", scarlet or crimson cloth things which denote Sergeant or Officer rank.
The Drum Majors are wearing "baldrics", wide ornate cloth things embroidered with the regimental badge and battle honours. Note that the baldrics have miniature drum sticks, because the baldric descended from the strap which held up a drum, hence Drum Major.
The Pipe Majors are wearing "sword belts" AKA "crossbelts", black leather with ornate silver fittings, which descend from the days when all pipers were armed with swords.
As far as I know the Scots Guards are the only regiment where the pipers still wear swords.
The Drum Majors are wearing swords, one suspended from the white leather style sword belt worn by Highland officers. Looks like one of the Drum Major's swords is suspended directly from the waist belt.
Last edited by OC Richard; Today at 04:14 PM.
Proud Mountaineer from the Highlands of West Virginia; son of the Revolution and Civil War; first Europeans on the Guyandotte
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Originally Posted by ShaunMaxwell
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