Unique Vintage Sporran

**MacGumerait** · 15th October 14, 06:32 PM

Greetings Rabble !

Ran across this interesting vintage sporran on Ebay and thought I would share it with the group .

Also , here's the link , scroll down on the Ebay page and you will find several cool pics .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FINE-ANTIQUE...item51c4b37fe4

Cheers , Mike

**hylander** · 15th October 14, 06:39 PM

Thanks for the heads up! Very cool sporran!

**Downunder Kilt** · 15th October 14, 07:15 PM

Most remarkable locking system and well worked on the tassel cones. Thanks for spotting it Mike and putting it up here. Cheers

**MacGumerait** · 15th October 14, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

Most remarkable locking system and well worked on the tassel cones. Thanks for spotting it Mike and putting it up here. Cheers

Mike ( DK ) , I agree , I found the latch mechanism to be rather unique .

I'm a little puzzled about the age . The seller thinks that it's 1850 to 1870 , although I would have guessed a bit later ... perhaps early 1900's . What's your opinion on the age ?

Perhaps Artificer or OCRichard will add to the conversation .

Best regards , Mike

**Downunder Kilt** · 15th October 14, 11:59 PM

Very good question Mike, I have been going through various photos and other articles I have. It is, I would say, a one off piece, but being plated has thrown me. I would expect a bespoke order in Victorian times would be made of silver. It could of course, been originally plain brass, which could well mean it is dated even earlier and plated at some later time. I was also trying to find a similiar bag shape, but to no avail. The way the side hinge knobs are bevelled and the design of the top finial may provide a clue. Help Artificer

**MacGumerait** · 16th October 14, 12:41 AM

I agree , the silver plating versus actual silver threw me off as well ( considering the age ) . I too found the bag shape a bit unusual .

**Laird_M** · 16th October 14, 12:44 AM

Very nice.
I have some research from the talk I did earlier this year so will compare the pics tonight and see if I can throw any light on the age.

**MacRobert's Reply** · 16th October 14, 08:34 AM

The bag can't be older than the 1850s or 60s as it's machine stitched. The cantle appears to have been riveted on with less skill than the original maker so it could be a later bag. The cones appear to be more modern than the cantle, or by a different maker. Overall it looks turn of the 19th to 20th century but possibly with an older cantle. Just my opinion.

**Laird_M** · 16th October 14, 10:09 AM

OK, had a look at my research and the shape of the bag is very similar to 1920s style of sporrans, so I'd go with some of the suggestions above that its a hotch-potch.