Where to purchase a reasonably priced horsehair sporran?

[kcrafter101]

hello everyone, I how your day/night was well!

I am in the process of putting together a Royal Canadian Air Cadet highland uniform and am nearing the end. I have the kilt, the glen, the near impossible to find white highland belt, and all the other standard stuff. I am now in the process of purchasing the full dress uniform. I've ordered the custom made RCAF diced hose, I'm going to get the spats next weekend, I just need a horsehair sporran.

I understand that I can just open up google and look them up and find many notable sources, the thing is I can't really afford to just drop 400$ plus tax, shipping and handling.

So, I was wondering if anyone here that knew a reliable source that sold them for less. I considered eBay, but after reading the thread on mutant horsehair sporrans I decided against eBay.

Thank you in advance for the help and enjoy the rest of your day!

[OC Richard]

Is it this style of sporran?



If you wanted the real thing I think L&M Highland Outfitters in Nova Scotia could make it for you.

Luckily this pattern has been around for at least 160 years and is widely available, one of the two main standard patterns.

Here's one on Ebay. It's made in Pakistan but the quality looks fine. It's $80.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handmade-Whi...0AAOSw6btXRoWE

The cantle is leather with a nickel rim. The civilian versions always have a thistle badge. I suspect that you would have to put on the appropriate badge for your unit.

Here's the photo from that Ebay listing



The photo below shows a different style of sporran which luckily has also been around for the same length of time and is also widely available. It has a cast metal pentagonal cantle. It will be more expensive than the style above.



These are widely available. Just google "horsehair sporran Prince Charlie" (that sort of cantle is called "Prince Charlie" for some reason). Here's one I found quickly online



The two patterns above are old standard civilian patterns.

The pipers of the RCAF wear one like this, as I understand. This one is up on Ebay now.

[kcrafter101]

yes, every time I look at them I end up on L and M highland site, but 400$ just seems like so much money. Then I end up on eBay, but im to worried about mutant looking ones to order from there.

yes either the first one or the one with the price charlie cantle. My goal is to find a used one, but not many people are selling them.

[Taskr]

Since other Air Cadets Sqn wear them, I would be surprised if your local AC league could not track down a reliable and affordable source for you.

[Father Bill]

Since other Air Cadets Sqn wear them, I would be surprised if your local AC league could not track down a reliable and affordable source for you.

Or perhaps even let you stealthily acquire a used one in need of minor repair....

[OC Richard]

I end up on eBay, but im to worried about mutant looking ones to order from there.

My goal is to find a used one, but not many people are selling them.

Bob's your Uncle!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pipers-Real-...AAAOSw9NdXrkyO

A high-quality sporran made by a leading traditional Edinburgh maker, used, appearing to be in good condition.

Here's another one, another top-quality Scottish-made item

http://www.ebay.com/itm/British-Cana...UAAOSwll1WxOFZ

Despite what these listings say those are standard civilian sporrans, not military.

I mentioned that the top sporran I discussed, like the ones immediately above, was one of two standard common civilian styles. This used sporran up on Ebay now is the other style, the one with a cast metal top in thistle pattern. This is a high quality vintage sporran, but as you can see the back is a bit dodgy. Luckily the back doesn't show when you're wearing it!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pipers-Horse...oAAOSw9NxTvnDW

[The Wizard of BC]

If you are a member of the Air Cadets - does your unit not have a source for their uniform? Can you not ask them? As Cadets grow and leave the unit do they not sell or return their uniforms?

[DotDLL]

eBay can work, although in my experience, it took a fairly long time to find something I liked (many months), and a lot of use of eBay's keyword-tracking tools (which send near-daily e-mails, based on whatever search terms one provides). In the end, I was able to find someone looking to offload about a dozen, used, horse-hair sporrans, and I was able to get one that I liked for under $100, including shipping. The sporran itself needed some work, as the hair was a bit tangled, and I needed to replace the chain (which was too long for me), but I've been quite happy with it. :-)

This is the sporran I ended up getting, for reference:


... and here it is being worn:


I suspect that if I conditioned the hair, which I know others on this forum have discussed, I could probably get the hair in better shape, but have yet to try this.

I'm not sure if this process would get you what you are looking for though -- I was looking for *any* decent-looking horse-hair sporran, at an affordable-to-me price.

Good luck + cheers!

[OC Richard]

That's very nice!

I love finding interesting vintage styles that you don't see any more.