Some of the vintage chains are nicer in pretty much every way.
The leather is nicer, sometimes done in two layers stitched together, generally with black or brown on the outside and red or green on the inside.
This could have matched the sporrans they were originally sold with, as many vintage sporrans have red or green backs.
The chains sometimes are pretty much like modern chains, sometimes they're heavier with more links closer together and overlapping (I don't know how to describe it).
Sometimes the vintage chains have the lovely long links.
About the clips, nowadays most chains just have a single piece of metal bent around, while some vintage chains have elaborate clips with a little spring inside, I suppose made of several separate pieces (the two sides of the clip, the internal spring, the outer housing, the rotating end of the housing, a ring to attach to the chain).
Here's an older chain (above) showing the elegant construction of the leather and chain. Note the leather is stitched, there are no rivets.
Compared to a c2005 from Nicoll Brothers chain (below).
Last edited by OC Richard; 21st November 23 at 05:15 AM.
Proud Mountaineer from the Highlands of West Virginia; son of the Revolution and Civil War; first Europeans on the Guyandotte
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