This is the Robertson bagpipe that most people are familiar with and certainly this is the bagpipe that is regarded as the "classic" among Robertson bagpipes. This would have been at the height of the craft for George Kilgour, the Robertson foreman. Frankly, I am in awe of the detail and the general quality of their work.
This full silver bagpipe hallmarked 1955 gets us started in the right direction. You can see how the lines are starting to bulge out a bit. Rather that the tuning chambers angling out or being straight-sided these have a definite convex profile. The stocks took on the same profile and this became more pronounced in the 1960's.
The bagpipe below (hallmarked 1955) is an excellent example and reinforces the profile of this period. The silversmith was Frederick Narborough. The silver and ivory Robertson to the right is more of Narborough's silver but the bagpipe is in difficult shape. The rewarding part is to see the "after restoration" product.
The images below are of a full ivory 1960 James Robertson bagpipe. This would have been the work of George Kilgour and it is immaculate. The long ferrules and massive ivory mounts somehow work with the overall profile creating a very distinctive and pleasing instrument.
Two Robertson pipes from 1955. You can see how the profile is progressing.
Above, two Robertson bagpipes from the 1960's with different styles of projecting mounts. I love the sharp detail of the one to the right.
James Robertson 1950's & 1960's
