Quality Sporrans for less money

**OC Richard** · 7th March 18, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Baeau

The second one, seller says, "Deer". Any opinion?

If it's the white fur one with black fur tassels and a black leather targe, those are usually described by the makers as being "pony".

Pony and rabbit are often used as a substitute for sealskin for sporrans shipped to the USA.

**OC Richard** · 22nd March 18, 03:49 AM

This sporran is strange, something in 40 years of looking at hundreds of vintage sporrans I haven't seen before.

The seller has evidently found a cache of vintage bagpipes, bagpipe parts, and associated bits including a number of old sporrans, most in poor condition.

This at one time was a very nice Nicoll Brothers (Bankfoot) sporran. But what has happened to the fur?? I've not seen fur look like that before. Are there any fur experts out there who have seen this? Can it be cleaned?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/J38-VINTAGE...0AAOSwXBVasrgz

This other Evening Dress sporran by the same seller looks to be pony fur, however it's been worn bald in substantial areas. Once again in pretty bad condition.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/J37-VINTAGE...MAAOSwKp1asrgz

**Michael Flemming** · 22nd March 18, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

But what has happened to the fur??

Put away wet would be my guess.

Originally Posted by OC Richard

The seller has evidently found a cache of vintage bagpipes, bagpipe parts, and associated bits

There might be some classic chanters in this lot:

Vintage Bagpipe Parts

Could the one lying on its side be cocus??

**OC Richard** · 9th May 18, 04:05 AM

This brown leather "day" sporran has the typical oval "made in Scotland real leather" gold stamp on the back.

With shipping a bit over $50US. The seller is gerr22222 from whom I have bought a couple nice vintage jackets and sporrans over the years.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mens-vintag...sAAOSwKPxa3efJ

Here's a black leather "day" sporran with pony fur front and evening-style tassels, typical gold oval "made in Scotland real leather" stamp, also a bit over $50US

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Scottish-Br...kAAOSwvAda2WSb

The best bargain going now, a plain brown "day" sporran with stamps I've not seen before. Gold oval stamps, one says "made in Scotland" the other says "kilt shop Aberdeen".

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1960s-Leath...kAAOSwUwla6vU6

**OC Richard** · 8th June 18, 10:17 AM

Usually I observe these vintage sporrans rather than buying them!

Because I really don't need more sporrans.

But this one was so well-made, understated, classic, and inexpensive that I just had to get it.

I'll post a photo of it being worn once I get it.

It has the typical oval gold stamp "Made In Scotland Real Leather" on the back.

**FossilHunter** · 8th June 18, 03:12 PM

That's very nice Richard.

**Shinenotburn** · 8th June 18, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Usually I observe these vintage sporrans rather than buying them!

Because I really don't need more sporrans.

But this one was so well-made, understated, classic, and inexpensive that I just had to get it.

I'll post a photo of it being worn once I get it.

It has the typical oval gold stamp "Made In Scotland Real Leather" on the back.

Brilliant design. A good Catch Richard.

**tokareva** · 8th June 18, 07:44 PM

I'm definitely no sporran expert, but I know quality when I see it. That thing looks fantastic Richard, congratulations.

**OC Richard** · 9th June 18, 06:15 AM

Thanks!

Couldn't pass it up, it was $35 including shipping from Scotland.

That stitching is so clean, so well done.

Now I just need a nicer tweed jacket! But vintage tweed kilt jackets in size 50R very rarely come up. I've only seen two over the last decade and I bought them both. One has a bit of mothing, it's presentable. The other has moth-holes all over it, looks a bit shabby, and has become my "beater" kilt jacket, for Rugby matches and so forth.

**OC Richard** · 9th June 18, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by Michael Flemming

Could the (chanter) lying on its side be cocus?

If bagpipes or chanters are pre-WWII they're probably cocus or ebony.

If bagpipes or chanters are pre-1900 they're almost certainly cocus or ebony.

African Blackwood wasn't offered by most pipemakers (including Henderson) until around 1900, and even then it was not the norm.

By the 1950s African Blackwood had become standard and pipers nowadays imagine that it was always so.

I don't know how many times pipers have told me that their old pipes are African Blackwood when they're actually cocus or ebony.