Hardie, Robert G.
Bob Hardie started taking piping lessons from the famous Robert Reid in 1934 and in the years to come he learned how to turn bagpipes from Reid. After WWII, Hardie became the main turner at Piobmor until 1950 when he went out on his own. He bought the Peter Henderson name in 1973 after the firm closed.
Hardie bagpipes and chanters went on to be one of the most popular brands ever made.
Robert G Hardie passed away in November of 1990, after that quality of Hardie bagpipes was intermittent. The company closed in 2001, but was resurrected and now maintains a high standard of quality. See Hardie in the Modern makers section for more information.
Thanks to Shalni Prowse for allowing me to photograph her 1956 Hardies -
This full ivory set is in perfect condition!
Bass bell and cord bead
Ivory projecting mount
Tenor tops
Stock ferrules and bottom mounts
Thanks to Edmund Chilton of Kamloops for pictures of his 1969 full silver set -
Tenor bell and cord bead
Tenor ringcaps - note the rare Runic design
Tenor shoulders and ferrules
Beautiful silver!
Tenor projecting mounts
You can just make out the Birmingham hallmark on the ferrule...
Another look athe the hallmark, the written "u" is from Birmingham, 1969
Above is a set from 1960, mounted with Catalin ringcaps, nickel ferrules and blackwood projecting mounts.
A side profile of the tenor tops, quite similar to Henderson of the day.
This picture compares a 1954 Hardie(top) with a 1922 Henderson. Note the subtle difference in the cord beads.
Hallmark above and below showing written "E" date letter from 1954
Another good comparison shot. 1954 Hardie on top, 1922 Henderson on bottom. See how the projecting mounts are quite different
Hardie(top) vs Henderson bottom projecting mounts.
A Hardie set from 1987
Imitation ivory mounts and ferrules turn yellow as they oxidize. Circa 1987
A look at the tops of the 1987 set, raised bushes were seen in the 80's and 90's.
This next set is from the 1950′s, as you can see the catalin has oxidized considerably more than the 1987 set above.
Thanks to Tim Pyne of Nanaimo, BC for allowing me to photograph his pipes -
Nice side profile of a tenor top
Tenor shoulder, note the shape of the shoulder lip
Recently bought a set of what are said to be RG Hardie pipes from the original owner. He purchased them in Scotland in 1985 and recently due to age and health problems had to give them up. I believe the seller but the only thing that indicates they are Hardies other than his story is the blackwood/art ivory sole chanter which is written R.G.Hardie on a top arc and Glasgow written straight across below it. I know some sets have a printed HARDIE on the cord slot of the bass drone but these have nothing. Also the art ivory is still a nce off white and has not turned orange like many of the sets in the 1980′s. Any help in determining absolutely if they are Hardie’s would be greatly appreciated.
Hi
I recently purchased a set of RG Hardie fireside pipes. They look like they are about a 1980s vintage but not sure. I have contacted Hardie and Alistair(The GM) said he is fairly certain they are Hardies but i have not been able to find anything anywhere about this set. Not sure if you can help, but any other information would be great. I can send pics if required.
Thanks for ANY assistance with these.
Recently I bought a set of what are said to be RG Hardie pipes. I bought them at a garage sale, and hope I got lucky. I have looked them over and the blackwood/art ivory sole chanter has R.G.Hardie on a top arc and Glasgow written straight across below it.
I know some sets have a printed HARDIE on the cord slot of the bass drone but these have nothing. Also the art ivory is still a nice off white and has not turned orange like many of the sets. Any help in determining absolutely if they are Hardie’s would be greatly appreciated.