Regimental Day Sporrans

[KiltFitz]

I just picked up a bunch of old regimental day sporrans. They're pretty old, judging from the fusty smell and still have their previous owner's names and serial numbers on the inside etc. I have a project in mind for them but something that struck me was that they are made from lovely brown grained leather so why are they polished black?

I know this is regimental orders but what would be the reason for doing this? If dress orders state black sporran, why wouldn't they be ordered in black leather from the supplier? Variously some of the accompanying straps are brown, some black polished some, black patent. I don't understand the variation I'm seeing in the same dress item.

Secondly, and more importantly, what is the easiest way to remove this polish without harming the brown grain underneath?

[Downunder Kilt]

If you look back, the MoD always seemed to have a brown coloured sporran for daywear (once hair sporrans were no longer the standard issue)

In 1953 when they first issued the "Culloden sporran", they came with a buff coloured bag, but soldiers were required to pipe clay them. They could have made them white to begin with. In relation to the standard brown sporran. I would imagine that the MoD would have origially ordered well in excess of the numbers required ( the greater the quantity ordered, the cheaper the individual cost mentality) If one regiment wanted black day sporrans the MoD"s attitude would be that they can colour the brown ones that are still in stock by whatever means, in this case polish. That's my theory and I am sticking to it.

[KiltFitz]

Definitely seems plausible but I think the ones I have were from an Irish regiment, probably Royal Irish Rangers. Pictures of the Irish guards seem to show that they don't wear sporrans.

From what I can gather, they have been wearing black sporrans for some time so they must have continued to order brown sporrans and colour them, even when they would surely have been in a position to change order from the supplier to black leather.

I think this was done in other regiments too although I'm only aware of this Irish regiment wearing day sporrans in full dress regalia.

Still open to advice about removing the polish since I'm keen to give them new life as civilian sporrans and they look much nicer in their original brown grain.

[Dughlas mor]

For stripping the polish you could try a piece of sheepskin dipped in rubbing alcohol. You might have to go over it a few times. If that doesn`t do it, try acetone, or Fiebings cleaner/deglazer, very potent stuff. You can go direct to the Fiebings, but I would do it outdoors for sure. Available at Tandy Leather or any leather supply outfit. Not sure about availability in the UK.

[OC Richard]

Are they like this?



These aren't like the sporrans worn by the kilted Scottish regiments in No2 Dress (which are dark brown, semi-matte finish, with a pebble grain).

As you can see these are the No1 Dress sporrans of the pipers of the Royal Irish Rangers, a glossy black. They look like Patent Leather to me, or at least highly polished. Interesting if they obtained brown ones and dyed them black, as you're saying.

BTW each of the kilted Highland regiments had its own pattern of No2 Dress leather sporran, the Black Watch fastened with an exposed brass stud and without tassels, the Argylls with an exposed brass stud and three leather tassels. As I recall the Gordons and/or Camerons wore the style above, with covered fastener and no tassels.

Here are some of the various regimental styles on display

[KiltFitz]

They aren't exactly the same as that but although they are brown grain, they were bulled to such an extent that you can't tell they were brown or grained originally. They don't have an exposed stud though, so the style is more like the ranger in the photo.

I think they might pre-date that photo. Interestingly, only one of the straps is patent leather, the rest being the same as the sporrans. Naturally, it's in the worst condition.

I'll upload some pics when I get a chance, I'm still in the process of cleaning off the polish.

[OC Richard]

Do they have holes where the badge would go?

[KiltFitz]

Yep. Vertically aligned.