Thread: 1942 Hendersons

Here's my pride and joy, a set of half mounted 1942 Henderson Great Highland Bagpipes. When these pipes were made at the height of the war, supplies were in short demand as well as manpower so the instrument itself was bored out at the Henderson facility but finished and turned at the Lawrie and Sons bagpipe makers down the road. Henderson's have an especially robust drone sound and these are no exception. Peter Henderson first started making the instrument in 1880 and the shop shut its doors in 1973. These pipes pictured here were made long before the advent of mass production and kiln drying. The African Blackwood that comprises the drones of these pipes was most likely acquired through a local shipyard where they were employed as ballast before being brokered off. Often that ballast would sit for 40 years or longer in the hold of a ship before being auctioned to cabinet makers and pipe makers, often one and the same. So this wood was well cured and quite dense adding to the richness of the bass drone especially. The projecting mounts are ivory (and they cost nearly $400 a piece to replace so I'm relatively careful with them with 8 mounts in all). The only thing that is more recent is the hand engraved ivory by David Marshall Silverworks in Canada that was retrofitted (Note the fine hand-engraving on the slides and end caps David did for these). The insrument also holds further intrinsic value to me as they were from Canada where my Uncle first enlisted in the RCAF in WWII. Uncle Henry survived the Ploesti Oil field raids and so I've mused that possibly the pipes may have intoned the "RCAF Walk Past" in some celebration or military function that he may have attended. I felt compelled to display them here as I haven't seen a lot of instruments in this section. Also, because the pipes are made of many substances near and dear to SR collectors I figured many here could appreciate them for their visual impact alone, and as an example of good quality artisanship. Also, I was wondering if there were any other pipers that frequent this site and thought this may be a way to lure them in. Cheers!

Those really are pretty. I have always wanted to learn to play the bagpipes.

I am so ignorant I don't even know if that thing in the photos is a singular it or a plural they. I am however old enough to know that alot of skill and love went into the creation of such beauty. I imagine you can make them sound as lovely as they (it) look(s).

If you really are interested in learning, let me know what part of the country you are in and I can let you know what qualified instructors there are in your area. The initial investment is quite small for a practice chanter--$45-$100 and one or two beginner books. So essentially you can get started for under $100. And there is a lot of on-line instruction but I caution you, for beginners you really need to have an instructor there to watch your hands, etc.. After 6mos to a year it becomes clear if you are really into it and wish to make the investment in a full set of pipes that can start in the $600-$800 range. And there are always boatloads of used instruments to choose from since the drop out rate is approximately %70 (which I feel is well on the conservative side). So think about it, it's a bit of a haul but worth the work.

Nice pipes. Ive always wanted to learn to play as well. Just no money.

You should get yourself a set of WWII walkign out kit to go with that beautiful set of pipes.What Price Glory - British Highlander Walking Out Package

Just learning my chanter for the honor guard at my fire department. Nice pipes! Did that sound weird?!....

Originally Posted by honestbrewingco

Just learning my chanter for the honor guard at my fire department. Nice pipes! Did that sound weird?!....

Only if you're about to undergo what this SRP member has in-store for him...

Originally Posted by baldy

Tomorrow I'm having a medical procedure that us married guys with plenty of kids have.
Tonights shave did not involve my face, if you know what I mean
Not quite BBS but not too bad

Attachment 148628

Have a great day fellas
Grant

We used to march in parades with a military bag pipe band in the column and my friend would always moan about the "Agony Bags". All kidding aside, that is a great looking piece of kit. Personally, I don't mind the pipes one bit.

Bob