This set of cocuswood Hendersons is tonally exceptional, to the point where I have enjoyed it myself for the past several months, giving my number one bagpipe a rest.

It was likely made in the years around WW1, perhaps a bit earlier. It has nickel ferrules and casein projecting mounts, ring caps and bushes. Unlike the chalky and discoloured casein we often see on old Robertson pipes, this material is white enough to be mistaken for modern imitation ivory. So the pipes are ivory-free and can be transported across borders without a certificate.

One piece of casein has a small brown discolouration on it, and the bead on one projecting mount has a tiny split that has been filled.

The blowstick was too badly cracked to repair so the projecting mount was installed onto a replica polypenco blowpipe.

The cord guides on both tenor drones are stamped “P Henderson.” Although there is no stamp on the bass drone, there is no doubt it is original to the pipes.

I was extremely impressed with the seamless, robust sound of these pipes and their exceptional steadiness.