Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1815, 1895
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BILLET GUN, n. (See first quot.)Gall. 1895 S. Arnott in Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 40:
What are known as "billet guns," i.e. pop-guns made from the wood of the "boor tree" or alder, were freely used. [The ammunition was peas, pellets, etc.]Kcb. 1815 J. Gerrond Poems 105:
A' ye wha keep a billet-gun, An' profit like alang wi' fun. [Still heard (Kcb.5 1925).]
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"Billet Gun n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/billet_gun>
