Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CHAIN-DRAPPER, n. comb. “A cheap jeweller who frequents fairs and professes to give great bargains to his own loss and to the advantage of his customers” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.). Cf. Eng. slang chain-gang, jewellers, watch-chain makers (Farmer and Henley). Not known to our correspondents.Sc. 1891 R. Ford Thistledown 313:
Next Chain-drappers — the jewellers in the camp, wha are ready to sell cheap, or half the profits wi' everybody they meet, and wha . . . aye get mair than they gie.