Solid brass sporran chain-straps

[Troglodyte]

Alexander Robertson's :-)

I very much doubt the 1600s gun metal.

Of Dundonnachie fame..?

Spot on.

The intriguing date inscribed on the cantle (1634) is what leads the Robertsons to think it is much older than the Victorian sporran it's now attached to. If, indeed, it is actually a date - the style of the numerals is right for the 17th century.

The metal and workmanship is puzzling when compared to the quality of similar style 18th century brass cantles, and our Dundonnachie's means, but the old gun-making trade centred not too far away makes the idea plausible.

I doubt very much that 1634 is the date of the cantle, but perhaps a reminder of something significant - there was plenty going on at that time, so it's anyone's guess.

The way the hair pelt is folded and attached to the body of the sporran is curious, and is well worth close inspection. Sadly, the canlte no longer opens easily.

The Woodshiel sporran on display alongside Dundonnachie's is much more revealing, and shows how complex the construction could be. And the brass cantle of this one is much more what you might expect.

The Robertson centre was very welcoming and co-operative with me, and was quite happy to let me get the sporrans out of the case and give them close scrutiny for an hour or so. I'm sure they'd do the same for you.