Brass Cantled Sporrans - Need Historical Guidance

**artificer** · 27th August 10, 02:52 PM

Speaking of cantles, there's a silver 17th Lancers Boer War cantle closing in about 15 hours that looks THE BUSINESS!

Unfortunately, it's a tad out of my price range

**Downunder Kilt** · 27th August 10, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by artificer

Speaking of cantles, there's a silver 17th Lancers Boer War cantle closing in about 15 hours that looks THE BUSINESS!

Unfortunately, it's a tad out of my price range

I think a lot of people have been wishing that they could afford that one Artificer. I have been watching it for sometime. I think it has been put up a second time as it disappeared for a week or so. Although it is in silver, I think the same in brass would look magnificent

**artificer** · 28th August 10, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

I think a lot of people have been wishing that they could afford that one Artificer. I have been watching it for sometime. I think it has been put up a second time as it disappeared for a week or so. Although it is in silver, I think the same in brass would look manificent

I figured it was pretty closely watched, but you never know. It really is a beauty.

I'm a unfamiliar with British army uniforms of the period, and a web search turned up nothing... Was it suspended from the belt by the top 'clip'?

Also, does anyone know that the actual 'purse' part of the bag would have been?

You're right, Downunder Kilt, it would look splendid in brass.

**HeathBar** · 28th August 10, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

I figured it was pretty closely watched, but you never know. It really is a beauty.

I'm a unfamiliar with British army uniforms of the period, and a web search turned up nothing... Was it suspended from the belt by the top 'clip'?

Also, does anyone know that the actual 'purse' part of the bag would have been?

You're right, Downunder Kilt, it would look splendid in brass.

I'm pretty sure that is a ladies purse frame. Not a military sporran cantle.

**Downunder Kilt** · 28th August 10, 06:19 PM

As you have been Artificer, I have tried to do a web search for more info on the cantle. I have searched for highland soldiers in the Boer War and the only reference I can find to sporrans were white ones that had the affect of being a target for the boers to shoot at. The only pictures I could find of around that era were paintings of soldiers of the Black Wtach who were all wearing the horse hair sporran with what looks to be a leather cantle. I have been able to find a photo of what I believe to be a similar cantle with bag that was auctioned by a military auction house (see below)

I am also posting a diagram that was posted in another thread, sorry I don't remember by whom, but they deserve the credit (has a similar shaped bag to that in the photos)

I dont think the sporrans with the hangers have provision for a strap to be attatched to the cantle so you would use the hanger to attach to your kilt belt.

**ThistleDown** · 28th August 10, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

As you have been Artificer, I have tried to do a web search for more info on the cantle. I have searched for highland soldiers in the Boer War and the only reference I can find to sporrans were white ones that had the affect of being a target for the boers to shoot at. The only pictures I could find of around that era were paintings of soldiers of the Black Wtach who were all wearing the horse hair sporran with what looks to be a leather cantle. I have been able to find a photo of what I believe to be a similar cantle with bag that was auctioned by a military auction house (see below)

I am also posting a diagram that was posted in another thread, sorry I don't remember by whom, but they deserve the credit (has a similar shaped bag to that in the photos)

I dont think the sporrans with the hangers have provision for a strap to be attatched to the cantle so you would use the hanger to attach to your kilt belt.

I suppose I was the one who posted that illustration a couple of years ago. It is from the "The Book of the Club of True Highlanders" published in two leather-bound volumes by CN McIntyre North in 1881.

Rex

**Dale Seago** · 28th August 10, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

I have searched for highland soldiers in the Boer War and the only reference I can find to sporrans were white ones that had the affect of being a target for the boers to shoot at.

I'd rather wear a white helmet in battle than a white sporran, thank you very much.

**Downunder Kilt** · 28th August 10, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the clarification regarding a chatelaine's belt purse V sporran Thistledown. In both cases they have been advertised as sporrans, so it's good to know that they are a different beasts.

I thought it was you that originally posted the diagram but was not 100% sure. Thankyou for putting out there originally

**JSFMACLJR** · 28th August 10, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by artificer

Speaking of cantles, there's a silver 17th Lancers Boer War cantle closing in about 15 hours that looks THE BUSINESS!

Unfortunately, it's a tad out of my price range

I don't mean to be ignorant, but why would a trooper or officer of a regiment of lancers have a sporran as part of his uniform?

**artificer** · 28th August 10, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

I don't mean to be ignorant, but why would a trooper or officer of a regiment of lancers have a sporran as part of his uniform?

Beats me. I'm just reporting based off the title on the auction.

It might be an officers personal item. The original owner is named in the auction.
All my research into the 17th (which is pretty minimal, and web-based) show nothing of the sort as part of their uniform.

One way or the other, it's a gorgeous piece. And too rich for my wallet

Downunder,
there are MANY references to white parts (ie the chest) of the foreign service uniform being folded back, as it made a perfect target

Good find on the other sporran with hanger!