Why did the Highlanders carry all-metal BP pistols?

[DuncanSA]

I think Duncan in France is groping towards the truth. When it all comes out we will find that a japanese consortium owned the patents on full-metal pistols and came to an arrangement with the Scots mafia. The dreaded "Cosa Haggisa".

 

[4v50 Gary]

DuncaninFrance - I didn't know you're a Yorkshireman. I've been to York and seen the tower. Cadbury is there in York. Have you had a Yorkie bar? I brought back about a dozen of them to pass out as souvenirs.

Speaking of the Scots, I remember a passage by Herbert McBride where he describes a German bayonet charge. The Scots didn't resort to bullets but despite being outnumbered, lept from their trenches and went head on. Thrust, parry, riposte. They wiped out the Germans with cold steel. Fighting Ladies from H*ll they were.

 

[JohnBT]

"the onrush of 3rd generation Scots"

Third generation? Heck, it's been 300 years since we tired of being near the English and came over. The English make great neighbors - with the Atlantic to keep them at a distance.

John

 

[Feanaro]

Things like this often had nothing to do with practical concerns, like a lack of trees(I'm willing to bet most Scotch arms were imported). The Scots were probably just showing off, as they tended to do. Though the strength argument holds some weight.

They should be grateful that we - The ENGLISH were able to employ them as soldiers so that they could get into a good fight now and again - same goes for the Irish

I can't see why that was such a great deal, after all, they already had the people most deserving of a bloody noise right next to 'em.

I await the onrush of 3rd generation Scotts

Hah. My Scottish and Irish ancestors left the Isles long before it was popular. No doubt in trouble with the law, I.E. your rude and ugly ancestors.

 

[AndyC]

The Scots were probably just showing off, as they tended to do.

Very true, but a minor correction here - we still enjoy showing off

 

[Duncaninfrance]

Hi Gary.

DuncaninFrance - I didn't know you're a Yorkshireman. I've been to York and seen the tower. Cadbury is there in York. Have you had a Yorkie bar? I brought back about a dozen of them to pass out as souvenirs.

Tower? Do you mean Cliffords Tower or York Minster?

The 2 chocolate companies that used to be in York were Joseph Rowntree (Yorkie Bar) Now owned by Nestlé and Terrys of York (All Gold). Cadbury are in Birmingham.

 

[macFarlaine]

Rugby Union,for a Yorkshire man,never Rugby League is the only game for a man....

 

[Duncaninfrance]

Rugby Union,for a Yorkshire man,never Rugby League is the only game for a man....

I come from Huddersfield, where League was born - In the George Hotel to be exact but I played union and think it a better, faster game - when played well. I can watch both though.
Either version beats the hell out of any other ball game - except Aussie rules perhaps!

 

[Roswell 1847]

The style of decoration prefered may have played a part. I've seen Scottish pistols decorated with colorful baked on enamel and soldered on filligree and medalions of gold and silver.
Some wooden stocked handguns with similar decoration are covered with thin metal plating before the decorations are applied.
Also carving a wooden handgun stock takes a lot longer and more skill than casting one from metal. Inletting a flintlock is not that easy and a hidden flaw in the stock blank can weaken the gun at the place where the most wood has already been removed.
You'll see cast metal grips used by Tiffany in 19th century America as well.
The Tiffany Colt grips eliminate the need for a backstrap. I think those are bronze with silver plating.
I've also seen cast aluminum pistol grips for the 1911 and a few European military handguns.
I've heard cast metal grips for autoloaders were very popular in Mexico at one time.

Scottish all metal pistols were also very popular with American Revolutionary War officers, Washington had a beautiful pair.