Where does this sporran fit?

**OC Richard** · 28th April 14, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by Nathan

I just ordered a brass MOD cantle, so the fact that a look was made popular by the military isn't a turn off for me.

The reason I don't like the narrow metal rim on that sporran isn't because the narrow rim is seen on military sporrans, because that same narrow rim is seen on civilian sporrans too, it's because that type of rim is more or less a binding for a leather cantle as traditionally seen on horsehair sporrans. On a Hunting Sporran it's out of proportion, too narrow, and it leaves a gap where there's usually something. In other words it's an awkward-looking pasteup or mashup.

Now about the MOD Culloden sporrans being "military", they're actually a fairly accurate copy of a typical mid-18th century civilian sporran, in other words there's nothing 'military' about their design. It so happens that the military revived that old civilian pattern for a brief time.

Actually the MOD Culloden sporran was only one element of an entirely new uniform the kilted Highland regiments of Scotland adopted in 1953, which was almost self-consciously 'retro'.

They adopted the sporran and bonnet of the mid-18th century Highland soldier, oddly in conjunction with a coatee, worn by the Scottish regiments from 1800 to 1855. Even more oddly they made the coatee green (which would have been worn only by the musicians of a regiment with green facings, or Rifle regiments, at the time the coatee was originally worn).

These MOD Culloden 1953 sporrans came buff, quite nice, but the soldiers had to blanco them! Ugh! I don't know why that was done. Plain leather would have been much nicer, and more suited to the period those sporrans were originally worn.

**creagdhubh** · 28th April 14, 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I would have to agree with the others this sporran is neither fish nor fowl. I probably would not wear it. If I were to wear it I think it would be best to wear it for a black tie event such as Burns Night.

I agree, Glen.

**Tim Little** · 28th April 14, 05:15 PM

Glen and Richard nailed it, IMHO: neither fish nor fowl.
I do like Richard's proposed modifications, however.

**Liam** · 28th April 14, 07:46 PM

I quite like it. I'd think it would look sharp with a brown tweed jacket and brown brogues.
(But then as some of you may have come to notice I dance to my own drummer.)

Cheers!

**Calgacus** · 29th April 14, 06:16 AM

Frankensporran!

**Nathan** · 29th April 14, 09:32 AM

Well given the rave reviews it received, I'm glad I saved my money. I still think its smart looking and I like that its distinctive but since it really doesn't fit with day or night, it wouldn't have been my first choice for either order of dress.

Guess I'm always looking for something a little different and less drawn from the classic sporran catalogue. Something one of a kind.