I couldn't take them anymore >:(

[druid]

My circa pre-1900 Lawries and the STUPID nickel-silver 1/2 mounts. They haven't been polished in about 2 years and this is what that looks like before:





Actually...it's not stupid...I am...for letting them get this bad in the first place...

The yellow is seriously weathered Ivory that I won't retouch. My luck, I ruin them...and Ivory cannot be replaced easily since there's a world-wide ban on it's harvest and sale. It's a US Customs nightmare with all the paperwork that needs to be filed and such, it's not worth the hastle since there's nothing physically wrong with them. I kinda think it adds character though...

here's 'after' I attacked them with Liberty polish:

[mclaggan123]

-from a scottsman all i can say is nice pipes. how long have you been playing or are they just a memento?

[Army]

Legally harvested elephant Ivory is available, taken from rogue and culled elephants. Walrus ivory is still on the market. Mammoth ivory, while very rare to get clean, white examples, is also on the market.

[Runamok]

So, How much? plus shipping?

[druid]

McLaggan...thanks. I've been playing since 1985. My High School band emulates H.M. Cold Stream Guard and has a bagpipe unit to replicate (in theory only) The Black Watch. I started the last year of Jr High school (1984) with a chanter and set of brass-lined - and got the Lawries as my HS graduation in 88.

My Jr year in HS, I joined a local street band that eventually went into competition and I retired from public performance as an EUSPBA Grade II player in 2001.

Army...thanks for the info. I know it can be harvested from the naturally dying or cultivated species...that's why I said it cannot be replaced easily. There's a ton of Customs paperwork involved on both ends. I have to send my Pipes back to Scotland with the Customs forms describing that they are being 'repaired' and what parts are to be fixed. They have to provide return paperwork stating a serial number (or other number) of the animal it was taken from, from where, age of the ivory, etc, etc. I didn't mean to imply that it was impossible...just difficult and expensive to replace if I screw it up trying to lighten the yellowing (which I probably would)...lol. Thanks though.

Runamok...lol...They are insured at more than $3000. There's a (somewhat) local guitar maker called Martin Guitar that carbon dated my pipes to "pre-1900." I'm guessing that the equipment they use isn't as sophissticated as the Smithsonian's...but they are very old and dear to me - and not for sale. It's not like they were a Family heirloom or anything (because they aren't) but these are the sweetest sounding Pipes anyone could ever want.

[Army]

Aye laddie, glad to be 'o 'elp to ye.

[acropilot19]

Fellow Scots, Rise up and let us take what is rightfully OURS!!!

...oh, wait, sorry...wrong forum...
my bad...
Nice pipes tho

[druid]

Fellow Scots, Rise up and let us take what is rightfully OURS!!!

...oh, wait, sorry...wrong forum...
my bad...
Nice pipes tho

LOL...I normally do that anyway...

but thanks!

[Pneumagger]

Yeah for scottish people!

[druid]

That's the greatest thing about the internet...we can show our 1337ness to those who would never knw otherwise

[Bolter]

Aye laddie, glad to be 'o 'elp to ye.

lol what? Thats not Scottish! Theres no swearing for a start