Quality Sporrans for less money

[OC Richard]

Thanks for pointing that out! I just glanced at it and didn't understand what I was seeing.

Had I taken a closer look I would have seen a very nice Forsyth adult sporran and a nice chain-strap to boot.

I wonder if the chain-strap is childs size. No matter, because I would be putting new leather to it anyway.

(I wonder if they used smaller links for childs chain straps, or just less of them.)

[Troglodyte]

Thanks for pointing that out! I just glanced at it and didn't understand what I was seeing.

Had I taken a closer look I would have seen a very nice Forsyth adult sporran and a nice chain-strap to boot.

I wonder if the chain-strap is childs size. No matter, because I would be putting new leather to it anyway.

(I wonder if they used smaller links for childs chain straps, or just less of them.)

From what I have seen I can confirm that childs' sporran chain-straps are like scaled down versions of the adults' - the length and link size is smaller and the leathers slightly narrower, just as you have guessed.

However, the several vintage (dating from prior to the second word war) long-link chain-straps that I have all vary in length of both chain and leather - there seems to have been no standard length for the chain. Leather length varies considerably, in both the long strap that passes through the buckle, and the buckle-piece.

Vintage chain-straps are very difficult to date accurately, I find, as the same style and construction seems to have been used for now the best part of a century. From what I have seen, post-WWII offerings seem to be less refined than previously, using unlined leathers and often chromed chains.

Prior to WWII, the leathers seem to be mostly finer quality leather, usually stitched, and made with a separate lining and not simply dyed a different colour as we see nowadays. Also, the chains were seldom chromed, and plain nickel seems to have been favoured (when not silver-plated) and plain brass is rare.

As for length of chain and leather ratios, things seem to have varied over time, too.

I have one particular long-link chain-strap that came as part of a house-clearance lot of late 19th and early 20th century sporrans, which has only three (yes, three!) links, but the leathers are exceptionally long and so normal man-sized. I also have two unused new-old-stock brown leather chrome curb-link chain-straps of similar proportions, but which I have guessed to be c1950s in date.

The older chain-straps seem to have been given much more skilled treatment when it comes to the leathers. Fine calf leather which is pared thin, turned in at the edges, lined in a contrasting leather and stitched along its length seems to have been a feature, as I have (or had) several made this way.

My own favourite is a brass long-link chain-strap with a leather-covered buckle.

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[Hauge]

Well done you!

It would be nice to see what that sporran and belt buckle look like, if you could please post photos. (Blurry photos are the bane of Ebay.)

Projecting from what I've seen in the past, the side of the cantle will be stamped Nicoll Bros, as well as the leather on the back.

That buckle is intriguing. I can't recall seeing that pattern.

You were right Richard. The Sporran is a Nicoll Bros sporran, with what i believe is rabbit fur.

The belt buckle otoh. is what i believe to be a cheap eBay buckle, mounted with a black leather lap, to hold a crest (Clan Gordon). The crest seems to be a mediocre pewter thingie.

I hope the pictures give a idea...

Best regards
Tonni

[Hauge]

Due to wrong resize, here they are...

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[OC Richard]

It's a beautiful sporran!

I think that cantle style was unique to Nicoll Brothers. I think I've only seen their sporrans with it.

They made that cantle in brass too, which I'd really like to find!

That Gordons badge is the 3D officers type.

If original that's worth some money. (I've seen them go for hundreds of dollars.)

[Hauge]

It's a beautiful sporran!

I think that cantle style was unique to Nicoll Brothers. I think I've only seen their sporrans with it.

They made that cantle in brass too, which I'd really like to find!

That Gordons badge is the 3D officers type.

If original that's worth some money. (I've seen them go for hundreds of dollars.)

Hi again!

Yeah it's a beautiful sporran, and i really wouldn't mind another one in Brass/Bronze. This one is very shiny...

The badge, i don't think is genuine. There's no markings on the back of it. And it's also rather rough.
But i don't know how to see if.

[OC Richard]

I think the only sporran I've ever seen with that cantle in brass is Gordon Walker's lovely dark brown hunting sporran, which is obviously by Nicoll Brothers.



I say "obviously" because I have that same sporran in black with nickel top.

The side of my cantle is stamped Nicoll Bros Scotland.

Sorry for the poor resolution of Gordon Walker's sporran, but I've not been able to find clearer photos of him wearing it.

I think that sporran looks much better in brown and brass!

[Hauge]

Should such Brass and Chocolate sporran be set for sale, i'm sure there will be a pile up in bidders...

It's just gorgeous! <3

Just wonder how many Brass Cantles Nicoll's have made, of this specific model?

[OC Richard]

It's probably impossible to know.

I don't know who made those cantles. FN/D&N made a host of styles that were used by WE Scott, L&M, and a number of other makers, and I suppose they could have made these as Nicoll exclusives.

Speaking of Nicoll Brothers, here's a listing https://www.ebay.com/itm/186254657037

which perfectly illustrates how so much more can be told from the back than from the front.

[Hauge]

Those horsehair sporrans, are also for sale on FB. 50 a piece, or 350 for all of them.
And yeah, they are very exciting to learn from...