Brass Cantled Sporrans - Need Historical Guidance

[Micric]

Figheadair,

Indeed very interesting!
I would like to see photos of the rim decoration if not too much trouble.

About the catch;
Does the dome (on the side with the incomplete locking mechanism) move?

My first thoughts are that this incomplete mechanism is the original, and when it lost some parts, the present mechanism was fitted.
I think this, because the catch part of the present lock looks newer where it is rivited through the front face of the cantle, and also, the dome on the face where the 'old' catch was, would appear to be in the way of this mechism, and so the domes could be newer as well...(tho' still very old!)

Re. the 172;
Again first thoughts!
We have old bill-heads of my grandfathers, dated "191...." for the early 1900's.
The last digit to be filled in when the bill was sent out, so the bill-heads were good between 1910 and 1919.
Could the original maker have had cantles made and engraved, to as near finished as possible, with the intention of having the date completed at the wishes (and expense!) of the customer?
The cantle is very intriguing, and cetainly looks old enough to have been 'born' in the 1720's!

Thank you for showing it!!!

R.
On looking at it again, the domes on the face do look original. It would be lovely figure out what was missing to replicate a fastener like this!