Kilt Pins - Ever See?

[ckelly327]

I ended up finding this on e-bay. Looks homemade and is listed as sterling silver although not stamped. I still like it though - it's a good size and weight.

[MacWage]

This pin isn't a kilt pin due to the size, 2 1/2 inches across, but, when I saw this pin at a "Rendezvous", a mountain man camp out for a week, that is ALL primative, pre 1840, nothing modern allowed, STRICTLY enforced, I just had to have it! Solid brass. Pretty heavy for its size. I paid $30.00 for it at a blacksmith/brasssmiths tent. It is entirely hand made, as I watched him make it. Very smoth. Almost no hammer marks in it at all. He said that it was a tartan fly pin. However, the actual pin is very large in diameter, so, I am afraid to pierce my fly with it, for obvious reasons. So I just tuck the fly between the pin and the band and give it a little twist to secure it. It looks a little knotted up when I do that. Yet, I like the pin. Especially since I watched the 'smith make it by hand. I only wear it with my nondescript, living in the dirt, very primative kilt, made by the man I bought it from at a long past rendezvous, but has since passed on to the greater plain. You decide. What do you think? Wear the pin out, or not?

THAT, my friend, IS a pennanular brooch!!!
It just happens to be my favorite style, celtic, and fine for a kilt, belted plaid, or fly. I have several and they are what I use with my great kilts most of the time.

In regards to historical use:
It is WELL documented and proven, through archeology, from both ancient and early to mid-medieval periods. They "SEEM" to have died out by 1200. Yet, there are some who argue their continued usage until MUCH later, though when is not yet proven. I would, personally, LOVE to see proof of them from the 1700s, but nothing definative enough for reinactment purposes. As the belted plaid is first PROVEN in 1594, the two (most likely) DO NOT overlap.

Therefore, I use mine with modern clothing and accesories, but not with 17th or 18th Century stuff. Thereby, I try not to confuse people . Yet,I LOVE the look and use them with my modern stuff. YES, I do use belted plaids, T-shirts, and my Converses. :mrgreen:

I say,use it is you like it. SOME pennanulars could make GREAT kilt pins, as long as the pin is fine enough. Otherwise, it cannot fit without popping threads. As long as it fits this perameter, GO FOR IT!!

[TechBear]

THAT, my friend, IS a pennanular brooch!

If you want some nice pennanulars or fibulas (clasps used to hold clothing together, also makes great kilt pins), I recommend The Crafty Celts. I have bought stuff from them before, they do great work and offer very good customer service.

[Zardoz]

My family crest has the classic "climbing lions" with two lions climbing a castle tower. Has anyone ever seen a kilt pin which depicts the lions. I have kept my eye open for awhile but haven't seen what I'm looking for - lots of swords and crosses and dragons but so few lions.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm sure that they are out there.

Try this guy;
http://www.scotmall.com/handforged/index.html

If he doesn't stock it he'll make it!