David’s sons, John and George continued the business as Thow Brothers. John died in 1923 and George died in 1940. Thow Brothers continued to make bagpipes until 1952. The firm was apparently run by George’s daughter Marjorie Thow and perhaps a brother, George W R Thow.
Over the years, profiles and details changed. Reasons are unclear however you can expect to find the following:
) cord-holders with differing profiles
) scribe-lines on cord-holders or not
) ring and bushing or one-piece cap
) open and closed ivory ferrules
) sleeved tuning chambers or not
) projecting mounts with differing profiles
) projecting mounts with round or cut beads
) various profiles for the wood
) various profiles for beads
) single bead above cord-holders on bass or not
) raised bead on bushings and ferrules or not
One thing that was consistent was the very high standards throughout. Many sets are to be found made of cocuswood. They used mostly marine ivory although elephant ivory can also be found. Many sets are mis-identified as “MacDougall”.
