Leather sporran strap etiquette

[McMurdo]

I am reminded of a discussion of the D- link thingy with a friend who has been wearing the kilt a tad longer than I have and he has always used a sporran chain for all occasions who had no idea what The D - links were for and he just clips the two clips together and places them quite comfortably in the leather “loop” on the one sporran he owns. Well alright, it works for him!

Glad to see that I am in good company, this is what I do. I have several of the D Ring things not sure if I'll ever use them for anything at all.

[OC Richard]

For sure many Victorian and Edwardian sporrans have those two wide straps on the back, and military horsehair sporrans have done until recently, due to the assumption that a plain leather belt would be worn.

I think it's when chain-straps became more popular that soldering the rings on the back-plate of the cantle became common.

From imagery it seems that around 1900 the chain-straps started getting more popular than leather belts for Evening sporrans, but yes chains are sometimes seen in Victorian times, usually with quite ornate cantles, which presumably had the rings.

It seems clear that the D-adapters were intended for the 20th century sporrans with a leather slot-tab sewn on the back rather than the two wide leather loops.

Sadly the catalogues only show the fronts of the sporrans, and in photos and paintings of men wearing sporrans we can see if it's a chain or a plain belt but we can't see the attachment.

[figheadair]

For sure many Victorian and Edwardian sporrans have those two wide straps on the back, and military horsehair sporrans have done until recently, due to the assumption that a plain leather belt would be worn.

I think it's when chain-straps became more popular that soldering the rings on the back-plate of the cantle became common.

From imagery it seems that around 1900 the chain-straps started getting more popular than leather belts for Evening sporrans, but yes chains are sometimes seen in Victorian times, usually with quite ornate cantles, which presumably had the rings.

It seems clear that the D-adapters were intended for the 20th century sporrans with a leather slot-tab sewn on the back rather than the two wide leather loops.

Sadly the catalogues only show the fronts of the sporrans, and in photos and paintings of men wearing sporrans we can see if it's a chain or a plain belt but we can't see the attachment.

Richard,

To illustrate your point, here’s the front and back of my Ferguson & MacBean, 1896, which has a chain strap.

1896 Ferguson & MacBean.jpg

[OC Richard]

Thanks for posting that!

Interesting that sporran doesn't have belt loops as well.

I don't often get to see the back of these vintage sporrans, but of the ones I have seen I don't recall seeing one with the metal rings only. I have seen a load with belt loops and no rings (especially military sporrans).

[figheadair]

Thanks for posting that!

Interesting that sporran doesn't have belt loops as well.

I don't often get to see the back of these vintage sporrans, but of the ones I have seen I don't recall seeing one with the metal rings only. I have seen a load with belt loops and no rings (especially military sporrans).

No, but it does have a lovely chain.