Sparrin' Over the Sporran

[beloitpiper]

I'm just curious how does someone "prove" if a sporran was made before such & such date, or the hide was pre-ban?

Someone mentioned earlier that their uncle had to sign a declaration to such & that was it. If that was it, then no problem I guess.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Sign an affidavit. Unless there's a label in the sporran (which I have never seen before), it's bascially your word against whoever, and I think customs has more to worry about than when your sporran was made.

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Jock: So, tell me Corporal, are your intentions honorable?
Cpl. Fraser: Aye, sir.
Jock: Then you're a damn fool. You leave "honorable intentions" to fathers like me.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I'm just curious how does someone "prove" if a sporran was made before such & such date, or the hide was pre-ban?

Someone mentioned earlier that their uncle had to sign a declaration to such & that was it. If that was it, then no problem I guess.

If your sporran is silver mounted customs will examine the hallmarks, which will provide a very accurate "date of manufacture". On an all leather or fur/hair sporran customs officers look for general "wear and tear" as a condition of age, in much the same way they can estimate the age of a fur coat.

Your best option is to pack sporrans, sgians dhub, and anything else which might cause comment at security in your checked luggage.

[James MacMillan]

Amazing - of course you would have to aligator gillies, belt, etc etc to go with that!!! You know, in a strange sort of way, I really like that.
I wouldn't buy it, but I like it......

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

What an honor!!! As a piper, I am very jealous.

Here's some info on the legality of sporrans and here's an article about it. I'm pretty sure the seal and badger is illegal. The horse and rabbit should be fine.

This "endangered species" sporran nonsense is the tip of the iceburg. EU legislation includes having to prove the age of hunting trophies-- if you can't prove the age of the endangered species on your wall or floor, well tough. You hand it over (without compensation) and it is burned. As far as rabbit and pony hair sporrans are concerned, they are on the "hit list" as well. Most of this legislation is promulgated by the European Green Party-- which is totally opposed to hunting, and is generally opposed to the use of any animal hides in commercial manufacturing processes.

So, my advise would be to buy top quality leather and hair sporrans NOW, while they are still available. In five years they may very well have gone the way of the Dodo.

[Tommie]

Thats pretty close to what I was trying to get across.

I am not opposed to hunting,but I am opposed to using wild animal hides for any commercial use....

[Jack Daw]

Well, my seal-fur, semi-formal sporran was purchased before I knew about the ban. I rarely wear it. I've decided to take my Ferguson Britt skunk-fur sporran. It meets the pack-saving requirements of a multi-use (day and evening) item. I did not see skunk on the no-no list; but, if someone knows that I shouldn't take it overseas, please, let me know.

[Fedgunner]

When it comes to sporrans get what you like.

I like seal skin.. for a very childish reason. My government tells me I can't have it.

I have a seal skin semi formal, and I'll probably get a badger for my formal.

I'll not feel too sorry for the "poor seal" I've seen what one does to penguins.

[Jack Daw]

I also have a badger mask, which I enjoy wearing. But, Scotland's ban is pertinent to my trip.

[Highland Logan]

I also have a badger mask, which I enjoy wearing. But, Scotland's ban is pertinent to my trip.

I assume that your full-mask badger is a North American badger? If is it is not on any protected list, and sould be fine. If it is of the European type (which look very different), and are protected in Great Britian, it would not doubt require papers. That's about the best info I have.

Frank