Matheson Special
It is believed that Matheson was a Scottish pipemaker who emigrated to Australia via India in the 1930′s. The pictures below are from Bruce McIntyre of New Zealand, This set was purchased in 1939 from Beck’s Music Store in Dunedin, New Zealand. If anyone has any information on this maker, please feel free to contact us.
Maker's stamp on the chanter
Here is another set we are quite sure are Matheson Specials. Hamish Cotton of Australia kindly submitted these photos
Button mount, slide and ferrule
Jay Close also owns a set of Mathesons. Thanks for the pictures Jay!
This next set belongs to Colin Graham from Australia -Ivory projecting mounts….and short nickel ferrules again.
Hi there,
I was browsing your site and found this listing for matheson special bagpipes. I have a set of these pipes in an antique mount, with ivory ringcaps. I am a piper in WA police band and have played them in Gr 1 in a number of competitions, nice solo tone too!
I will try and get you some photo’s. I bought these in Perth Western Australia, but am unsure of thier history. The interesting thing with these pipes is the sole of the chanter has an immitation Ivory mount that has straight lines and to an untrained eye looks like ivory. I understand this dates from around the 30′s.
Straight lines means it is celluloid. I bought a set of pipes, told they were ivory only to find out they were celluloid, very good imitation. Patina is very ivory like too.
Hamish:
I am in search of the maker of a set of pipes I’ve owned for about 10 years. Recently, I’ve got some hints that they may be a button mounted set of Matheson Specials. Overall proportions, beading and combing look very similar to two other sets I’ve seen photos of, but the major distinguishing feature (to me) are the nickel ferrules. They are very narrow, spun from very thin metal and have a rolled bead. I’d love to get some photos of your Matheson Special and would be happy to send you some photos of mine. Probably have to get Gordon to act as go between. Thank you for your time.
Cheers,
Jay
Jay