Role of the Hunting Sporran

**JSFMACLJR** · 19th May 12, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

One type I haven't seen mentioned yet (probably because I've not seen anyone else make them) is the "soft" hunting sporran which is favored by HRH Prince Charles for daywear.

If you search the "Vintage Kilt Pictures" thread, or threads with various chiefs pictured, you can see them pop up occassionally.

I LOVE this type of sporran as it's far more comfortable than hard bodied sporrans.

I have a sporran like that which I wear from time to time. I can't say it is my favourite, but it is a nicely made--and old-- sporran, very similar to that of Prince Charles.

**Lime** · 19th May 12, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

I have a sporran like that which I wear from time to time. I can't say it is my favourite, but it is a nicely made--and old-- sporran, very similar to that of Prince Charles.

That is a beauty.

**thescot** · 19th May 12, 08:46 PM

I have one in pig skin I purchased from David L Pope. It is my favorite nowadays, and I wear it for most day events.

I also have an inexpensive black one for "dressier" occassions.

**thescot** · 19th May 12, 08:50 PM

Better detail of the pig skin.

**OC Richard** · 20th May 12, 04:43 AM

Thanks so much PaulHenry for posting that page from that catalogue! So nice to see the sporrans in colour. (BTW there's a sporran on Ebay now stamped Rowans Glasgow Birmingham.)

And thanks so much JSFMACLJR for posting those photos of your lovely sporran!

It looks identical to the ones shown in those 1930s catalogues, doesn't it?

Let me know if you want to sell it

Or perhaps Artificer can make a reproduction

... I would be very interested!

**Lime** · 20th May 12, 11:01 AM

Let me know if you want to sell it

- Hands off - I've got a kidney to remortgage!

**Harold Cannon** · 20th May 12, 02:03 PM

I really wish we had an area so that people could post scans of old catalogs and the like. It would be a great resource for those looking for guidance on highland attire.

**CMcG** · 20th May 12, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Andy Ternay

What is the role of the hunting sporran?...

You've already had quite a few answers and some interesting historical context. I will add that I have what the kilt industry currently calls a "hunting" sporran and it's role is the same as any other leather sporran: suitable for all events except formal evening wear.

When one of my friends started getting interested in wearing the kilt, I bought him a leather hunting sporran with a metal cantle. To me, this raises the level of formality enough that he could wear it for black tie formal, though it might be become a bit too much to just wear with very informal dress. I think it would still work OK with any of the outfits I posted above, plus formal evening wear, but not white tie.

**Paul Henry** · 21st May 12, 02:06 AM

Originally Posted by Harold Cannon

I really wish we had an area so that people could post scans of old catalogs and the like. It would be a great resource for those looking for guidance on highland attire.

2 more pictures fro you ,from the same catalogue,nothing very much surprising , and all are still worn today I think!

sorry a little off topic, but I thought it was good reference!

**OC Richard** · 21st May 12, 05:09 AM

Originally Posted by paulhenry

2 more pictures fro you ,from the same catalogue,nothing very much surprising , and all are still worn today I think!

Thanks!

Actually I don't think anyone makes EXACTLY those sporrans today... every one has some nice old touch you don't see nowadays, for example a number of the cantles have three knobs whereas modern Evening Dress cantles nearly always have only one.

And the sporran at top looks very much like a style still made, but the cones for the tassels are shaped like thistles.