SAMS has computerized the full Coat of Arms, a Logo, and an “Arms” flag. Examples follow. The Lord Lyon granting arms to SAMS is somewhat unique. Very few American organizations have been granted formal Scottish arms. If you wear or display SAMS’ Arms, do it proudly, and do it correctly (see below).
The Scottish belt is a symbol of allegiance to the Chief's Crest which it surrounds. On the SAMS emblem, it signifies allegiance to the principle that liberty was won and has been preserved by the armed forces.
The SAMS Emblem
The Scottish belt is a symbol of allegiance to the Chief's Crest which it surrounds. On the SAMS emblem, it signifies allegiance to the principle that liberty was won and has been preserved by the armed forces.
The centerpiece of the Society emblem is the back-country rifleman, wearing the hunting shin, armed with his flintlock rifle and belt axe.
Kings Mountain is recognized as one of the decisive battles and a major turning point in the Revolutionary War. An unusually high percentage of the men who fought on both sides at Kings Mountain were of Scottish and Scots-Irish bloodlines. Scots-Irish Colonel William Campbell was commander of the Patriot forces and the Loyalists were led by Lt. Col. Patrick Ferguson, a Highland Scot. As was so often the case in Scottish history, the fight was between those who opposed the Crown and those who supported it.
SAMS is recognized by the Lord Lyon as a "Society Noble in the Noblesse of Scotland" and has it's own Coat of Arms.
The Patriots wore a twist of white paper in their hat bands for "friend or foe" recognition. The Loyalists wore a twig of evergreen for the same purpose. The evergreen twig probably had Scottish origins.
For years, prior to Culloden, the bayonet was not effective against the large, broadsword, and Claymore. The Loyalists tried the bayonet as the decisive weapon at Kings Mountain but it was no match for the rifle, backed by the belt axe and hunting knife.
As early as 1644, the MacDonalds, who were supporting Charles I, were sent to "ravage the territory around Loch Etive with fire and sword." The words were used as challenge and response by the Patriots before the battle of Cowpens: challenge-"with fire", response-"and sword." The battle of Kings Mountain resulted directly from Col. Ferguson's threat to destroy the over-mountain settlements "with fire and sword."
In 2008, the Lord Lyon, King of Arms for Scotland granted SAMS a “Coat of Arms” Different from a coat of arms granted to an individual (and owned by the individual and heirs only) the arms granted to SAMS are a “Corporate” coat of arms and can be worn by all members of SAMS. This is similar to a Corporate Logo (such as “Ford” in a circle of blue) that can be worn on a hat, shirt, jacket, or displayed on signs etc.
SAMS and Heraldry
SAMS is indebted to SAMS’ National Herald, Randal L. Carr, IAAH, for computerizing the Lord Lyon’s presentation.
A “Coat of Arms” is actually an article of clothing that was worn by a knight. However, in modern times, the term is generally used to refer to a heraldic “Achievement”. The Achievement is a depiction of the devices that represent an individual or organization. It can include a crest, helm, shield, motto, mantel and sometimes supporters and a compartment for the supporters to stand upon.
The SAMS “ARMS” and You
As a member of SAMS, you are entitled to wear or display the SAMS Coat of Arms. This is because the Lord Lyon of Scotland when he issued the “Arms”, he issued them as “Corporate Arms”. Whereas, Clan members can wear only the “Crest” of their Chief’s arms (in our case the Over Mountain Man) circled with a “belt” and inscribed with the Clan “motto”, SAMS members can wear the complete arms.