Sporran #14 WIP - Snakeskin Hunting Sporran

**artificer** · 3rd October 10, 10:59 AM

Howdy all,

As some of you might know, I've been lusting after a Sgian Dubh made by our own Drac ever since I saw his thread HERE shortly after I joined X-Marks.

Luckily, our schedules have finally meshed up to the point where we've been able to get a trade going.

Drac was looking for something in a brown hunter, or possibly something in fur. When I went through all of the materials I had, Drac said that the Western Diamondback snakeskin sitting on my materials stack would fit the bill.

Luckily, I still had some of the luscious British Tan leather from #5-10, seen HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. **

Things came together further when Mrs. Drac jokingly mentioned that British Racing Green and British Tan go together like cheese and pickle (my words, not hers). So I thought it might be interesting to have the pinked trim layer under the cantle dyed in BR Green.

The end result is the working drawing below:

Here are the actual materials to be used, along with a few of the patterns for cutting:

The snakeskin is a WHOPPER, topping out at over 5.5" in useable scale across the back, and over 55" long (and that's without head or tail)!
It's really nicely patterned, with the scales intact.

The green dyed sample is a little too light, but the colour is good. I was worried about a transparent green dye onto a fleshy-tan surface, but the manufacturer actually accounted for the colour-shift that would take place when applied. In final application the green will be darker.

The body of the sporran is mostly plain, to best show off the pattern on the snakeskin. The tan leather will have a decorative stitch (shown) which echos the shape of the inlay for the snake.

The cantle is studded with brass domed rivets, and closes with a top strap and snap on the back. The interior will be lined in pigskin.

** You'll note several missing sporrans in 5-10, they were done for "non-X-Markers" and were therefore not documented online. Additionally you might note a gap between #12Mk2 (Lugosi) and this #14. That is because #13 is a personal piece for me that I need for an upcoming black tie event, and is basically a #11 also seen HERE.

As always, constructive commentary or critique is welcome.

ith:

**Ryan Ross** · 3rd October 10, 12:03 PM

Whoooooo...

That's a heck of a project! Love the design and the snake skin, and the green detail should really give it that extra touch.

Can't wait to see this one progress, Scott, as I know it'll be a head-turner!

Also, congratulations on one of Drac's sgians. Beautiful pieces, those are.

**BLHS209** · 3rd October 10, 05:15 PM

Oh no, not another one to drool and Jones over.

With that aside, look forward to the rest of the great posts!!

Chris Shepherd

**Drac** · 4th October 10, 06:49 AM

I have two sgian dubhs to finish before I start his (for some VERY patiant persons

) this week and than I will be starting Scott's. With the lower temps I can get more time in the garge so Im HOPING I can get these his done shortly after finishing the current Q.

Jim

**artificer** · 11th October 10, 05:14 AM

After a weekend of nice weather, pumpkin picking, and some windows that needed to have their glazing putty replaced... Progress!

The front and backs are fully cut and ready for assembly. The pinking and top cantle will be properly aligned when I stitch them together.

The next step will be the stitch-line that decorates the edge of the snakeskin inlay.

Gussets and trim is cut, but needs to be skived for thickness. I'm also waiting on a shipment of brass domed rivets.

I know it's not a traditional Highland material, but the snakeskin is a really interesting material to work with.

I'm also working on some historic pieces you can see HERE, as well as a piece for myself for a formal do next month- which is why my progress is a bit slower than normal.

As always, constructive critique and commentary is welcome.

ith:

**Eleazar** · 17th October 10, 07:03 PM

This looks like it will be an interesting one.

Very unique.

**BLHS209** · 18th October 10, 04:06 PM

As you are still working on this project, I will ask a question - the "studs" shown in the drawing - are they going to be brass? Like many, looking forward (patiently?) to the rest of the installments

Chris Shepherd

**artificer** · 18th October 10, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by BLHS209

As you are still working on this project, I will ask a question - the "studs" shown in the drawing - are they going to be brass? Like many, looking forward (patiently?) to the rest of the installments

Chris Shepherd

They're meant to be domed brass rivets. The problem is the rivets I just took delivery of have too short a shaft on them to be of use here. I may have to switch to 'spots', which have the same appearance, but instead of a shaft utilize two 'teeth' which pierce the leather and then get peened over.

I prefer the 'honesty' of a rivet (has a use other than pure decoration) but the only option at this point would be a flat rivet, and I really like the way a domed stud feels on the hand as you open and close the cantle.

Back to the store tomorrow to buy brass spots, I guess.

**artificer** · 11th January 11, 08:39 PM

Howdy All,
Nope, this project didn't just disappear into the aether. Drac and I had busy schedules around the holidays, so our respective trades got bumped back a bit.

I've just put the finishing touches on the sporran, now it needs a day or so of conditioning while I finish up Drac's sporran straps.

The front

Side

Open

For those who like to know just how large sporrans are (Riverkilt, I'm looking at YOU

) The mouth is 6.25" across and the bag is ~8.65" tall.

This is in the same British Tan leather as #5-9, seen elsewhere.

As always, constructive commentary and critique are very welcome.

ith: