I have a Mk I with original unblancoed pouch, Mk II BW and QOCH, and Mk IV, and have owned several others, both with and without cantle. They are supposedly based on an original worn by an Athollman at Culloden, but that story has never been conclusively proven.

Metal cantles don't appear in portraits until well into the 18th century. As only wealthier highlanders could afford them, they weren't common until later. The 1750s Ticonderoga sporran belonged to an officer, Lt. (later General) John Small of the 42nd. Even sporrans of the wealty were simple all-leather affairs until about 1750 - Major Fraser, Moray of Abercairney, the MacDonald children, and Thriepland of Fingask to name a few.