More on Johnstone's Tippet from Infoplease:

• Johnstone's Tippet - Johnstone's Tippet (St.). A halter. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, ...
• St. Johnstone's Tippet - St. Johnstone's Tippet A halter; so called from Johnstone the hangman. “Sent to heaven ...
• Halter - Halter A Bridport dagger (q.v.). St. Johnstone's tippet. Halter or rather Halster. A rope for ...
• Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: J - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "J"
• Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: S - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "S"