A '''wapenshaw''' or ''wapinshaw'' (from the Old English for "weapon show") was originally a gathering and review of troops formerly held in every district in Scotland.<ref name=EB1911>{{EB1911 |wstitle=Wapenshaw |volume=28 |page=304 |inline=1}}</ref><ref>[http://www.oldglasgowpubs.co.uk/hielanjessie.html reference to wapinshaw at barracks in Glasgow]</ref> The object was to satisfy the military chiefs that the arms of their retainers were in good condition<ref name=EB1911/> and that the men were properly trained in their use.
==Use of 'wapenshaw' in lawn bowls== The term is still in use, to describe some competitions by bowling clubs<ref>[https://prestwickhowiebowlingclub.co.uk/2016/05/10/open-wappenshaw/ notice of wappenshaw competition at Prestwick Howie bowling club]</ref><ref>[http://gourockpark.homestead.com/Localbowlsinfo.html report of Wapinshaw competition at Gourock Park bowling club]</ref> in Scotland.
==Use of 'wapenshaw' in shooting== ''Wapenshaw'' is also occasionally used, in Scotland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom for rifle or other gun shows, particularly those involving historic weapons.<ref>[http://jointservicespistolclub.com/?page_id=446 Report on Aberdeen shooting club Wapinshaw, 2011]</ref><ref>[http://galleryrifle.com/?s=wapinshaw Results of the Aberdeen Wapinshaw, 2013-2016]</ref>
==The Woodcraft Folk== ''Wapenshaw'' is also widely used by The Woodcraft Folk to describe a daily ceremony when camping, which involves each camper removing all belongings from their tent and laying them out on a groundsheet in a fixed order. This serves two purposes: to air out the tent, and to ensure that no items have been lost.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20040306121521/http://www.geocities.com/harrowwoodcraft/creed.html Wapenshaw as a Woodcraft ceremony]. Retrieved June 1, 2005. *[http://www.nra.org.uk/common/asp/calendar/events.asp?site=NRA&type=comp National Rifle Association of Great Britain list of events] including a wapenshaw by the Historic Breechloading Smallarms Association. Retrieved June 1, 2005.
Category:Military terminology Category:Military traditions Category:Military history of Scotland Category:Camping in the United Kingdom Category:The Woodcraft Folk