current Ebay military sporran oddities

[OC Richard]

Here's a real puzzler

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-ORIGINA...item461af2d656

Thing is, it doesn't look like Black Watch sporrans usually do in any way, except for the badge.

Here's the photo from the auction



Now here's a Black Watch sporran



and here's a Seaforth Highlanders sporran



so this Ebay thing looks like a Seaforth sporran with a St Andrews badge. The Seaforth style was also the most common civilian style.

But look at the back of the Ebay sporran! Very interesting. Note the numerous holes for tassels, it looks like it could accommodate six tassels, or at least five.

Was there a Black Watch Territorial or Volunteer Battalion that used a sporran like this Ebay one? Could be.

Now this one is more straightforward

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Auth...item5afe09c507

and the photo from the auction



it appearing to be a Seaforth Highlanders or Gordon Highlanders sporran which has had the regimental badge removed (you can see the holes) and has had a clan badge stuck on. Pity!

Here's a Gordon Highlanders officer's sporran with original badge intact



and a Seaforth Highlanders sporran (note the cantle shape is more like the Ebay thing)

[Manxstralian]

What about this one:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/British-A...item566376b155

Seems like a steal for a horsehair sporran, but no badges (or even marks where a badge might have been)? If I had a spare $150 I'd pick it up though, and the retailer deals in militaria, rather than Highland wear, so it seems more authentic.

Cheers,

Cameron

[artificer]

What about this one:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/British-A...item566376b155

Seems like a steal for a horsehair sporran, but no badges (or even marks where a badge might have been)? If I had a spare $150 I'd pick it up though, and the retailer deals in militaria, rather than Highland wear, so it seems more authentic.

Cheers,

Cameron

It's a 'steal' because it's a wee-kiddie sized sporran (aka- totally not a steal), unless the British Army has undergone a "massive downsizing" in the last few years (not including the Amalgamation of the Highland Regiments into the RRS, obviously)
.

It's only 13" long / 33cm, so unless the average Jock has shrunk by +2' I think it's safe to say that it is most definitely NOT army issue!

I think the appropriate term here is "Caveat Emptor"

ith:

[Manxstralian]

Ahhh... Good call! I hadn't really paid attention to that. That's why you're the expert. If only I had a son!

Cheers,

Cameron