On 10 November 1775, by Act of the Continental Congress, two Battalions of Marines were raised, thus forming the United States Marine Corps. Since Marines have fought, "from the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli”, it was only fitting that America’s premiere, elite fighting force should have its own Limited Edition set of Bagpipes.
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) inspired Bagpipes were the result of more than eleven years of design work, by Captain Justin Stodghill. Each USMC set was made of properly aged, air-dried, hand-turned African Blackwood or Cocobolo, with Minimal Combing and includes a MacLellan African Blackwood Solo Bagpipe Chanter.
As standard, the USMC Limited Edition Bagpipes were "half-mounted" with .925 sterling silver (ferrules, ring caps, slides, mouthpiece tube, and personalized shield) expertly handcrafted by Master Silversmith Roddy MacLellan. The unique design created for this set also included Bronze beading on Ferrules and Caps with Bronze accents on the Mouthpiece Tube.
Standard projecting mounts, bushings and mouthpiece bulb are available in a variety of materials including (but not limited to) boxwood, hard maple, imitation ivory, cocobolo, and African Blackwood. Each set of MacLellan Silver was then sent to Master Engraver, David Davidse, of Truehand Engraving.
David too, the original concept and created a truly unique and timeless classic featuring the Eagle, Globe and Anchor and an original background pattern, the "Leatherneck Scroll," based on the Marine Corps Mameluke Sword.
