Quality Sporrans for less money

**OC Richard** · 19th July 25, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Troglodyte

It's nice to see that version of the regimental purse in action - have an unused example with its strap that's curently looking for a new home.

It's interesting, WWI military sporrans, because from what I've gleaned the Scottish Scottish regiments didn't issue leather sporrans, though officers could purchase what appear to be civilian sporrans (no badges) though that could be putting the cart before the horse; perhaps that style became popular with civilians after the war.

Here's one worn in WWII. Note the civilian Ghillies and bespoke Battle Dress tunic with open collar and lapels.

And a Canadian Pipe Major wearing that style in WWII.

On the other hand the WWI Canadian Expeditionary Force did issue leather sporrans to Other Ranks, from what I've been able to glean.

**Janner52** · 23rd July 25, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Here's one worn in WWII. Note the civilian Ghillies and bespoke Battle Dress tunic with open collar and lapels.

Unusually he is wearing a Sam Browne belt minus the shoulder strap. A web belt and holster would be the usual option.

**Troglodyte** · 24th July 25, 02:05 AM

Originally Posted by Janner52

Unusually he is wearing a Sam Browne belt minus the shoulder strap. A web belt and holster would be the usual option.

This officer's whole rig is unusual..!

He seems to have pushed the boundaries for his regimentals with just about every piece.

But I like the way he has his pistol-holster sling from the sword-hangers - perhaps he draws it sword-like with his right hand.

It would have been good to see this chap in action along side Jack Churchill, who stormed the landing beaches with broadsword and long-bow, and who had individual ideas of correct dress for an active officer in the field.

**Jock Scot** · 24th July 25, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by Janner52

Unusually he is wearing a Sam Browne belt minus the shoulder strap. A web belt and holster would be the usual option.

At a fairly educated guess, I suspect that some "Serious Brass" was visiting the troops where their "smart attire" may have been far away from the "action". So perhaps, some variation of uniform was the best that they could come up with at the time? Officers were known to have adjustments to uniform regulations, on occasion, particularly if they if they were successful.

On another point. As a wee lad I actually met Mad Jack Churchill. He was reputedly, the first person to attempt to surf up the River Severn on a natural phenomenon known as the "Severn Bore". Surfing on it is a regular occurrence these days, but he was the first to attempt it. From memory he didn't get very far and he was an acquaintance of my father and we went to cheer him(Mad Jack) on.

**OC Richard** · 26th July 25, 03:14 AM

Originally Posted by Janner52

Unusually he is wearing a Sam Browne belt minus the shoulder strap. A web belt and holster would be the usual option.

I can't quite make out the rank- Lieutenant Colonel?

I just noticed his bespoke semi-Battle Dress tunic not only has open lapels with collar but also appears to have leather buttons like on a tweed shooting jacket.

All in all the quirkiest WWII British officer kit I've seen.

As we know Eisenhower had a bespoke semi-Battle Dress tunic made. Many other US officers probably did as well. (What I don't know is if Eisenhower was the first. Though Americans dubbed the Battle Dress tunic an "Eisenhower jacket" who can say who actually began that fad amongst US officers.)

**Jock Scot** · 26th July 25, 03:33 AM

OCR, quite right. Lt. Colonel. Going on his medal ribbons, which sadly I can't identify, he has been around a bit! I think its more like, "cometh the hour, cometh the man" type of thing where in a war, the man was far more important and useful than the uniform regulations. There are many examples of this in the British Forces. Field Marshal Montgomery's beret with two badges is a prime example.

**Jock Scot** · 26th July 25, 04:57 AM

I may be making 2 plus 2 into 5 here, but! Is the Lt. Colonel in question in this thread wearing a Mackenzie tartan? I am wondering if the picture is of Mad Jack Churchill? He did command a unit of the Seaforth Highlanders towards the end of WW2. and from memory they wore the Mackenzie tartan. Now if 2 plus 2 makes 4, it might explain the rather individual style of uniform?

I met him once, many years later in, I think, the mid 1950's, wearing a wetsuit and looking rather less than dapper, after his and first attempt by anyone, ever, of surfing UP the river Severn on a tidal wave! Sadly, he did not succeed. So? I wonder? Is that the same chap?

**geomick** · 26th July 25, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I may be making 2 plus 2 into 5 here, but! Is the Lt. Colonel in question in this thread wearing a Mackenzie tartan? I am wondering if the picture is of Mad Jack Churchill? He did command a unit of the Seaforth Highlanders towards the end of WW2. and from memory they wore the Mackenzie tartan. Now if 2 plus 2 makes 4, it might explain the rather individual stye of uniform?

I met him once, many years later in, I think, the mid 1950's, wearing a wetsuit and looking rather less than dapper, after his and first attempt by anyone, ever, of surfing UP the river Severn on a tidal wave! So? I wonder? Is that the same chap?

This site - https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...y.19732/page-2 - simply lists the photo as "Officer, France 1944" when I tried a google image search. That page and this thread were the only exact matches it found.

**Jock Scot** · 26th July 25, 05:22 AM

Originally Posted by geomick

This site - https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...y.19732/page-2 - simply lists the photo as "Officer, France 1944" when I tried a google image search. That page and this thread were the only exact matches it found.

Thank you. Well, 1944 is towards the end of the war. So..........possibly?? The plot thickens!