1920s sporrans - a lost style classic

[Troglodyte]

I have been around long enough to have seen periodic changes in fashion, where sporrans are concerned.

Or, at least, I have witnessed dominance or preference of one style or another for a short while.

And then something new comes along.

So what happens to all the old favourites, when they get replaced with a new model..?

This has intrigued me for decades, but, if I give it due consideration, I realise I am something of the answer to the mystery myself.

I make no claim to being a collector or hoarder, but more of an accidental acquirer - as I have gathered what I like to think of as a 'representative selection' of the sporran-maker's craft that spans perhaps 140 years.

As you can well imagine, this selection features some of the usual suspects, along with attractive but no longer seen styles - like the 1920s thong-through-flap all-leather sort.

I view this type as being part-and-parcel of the post-WWI dressed-down and simplified styles that influenced fashion in the inter-war years generally, and played such a significant role in forming current ideas of what is traditional Highland dress.

In terms of contruction, the old sporrans are much more akin to hand-made shoes, with fine stitching, careful leather choice and construction techniques - such as lining with wonderfully-soft chamois. It gives them a luxurious character.

Here's a little line-up of a few of mine, and a picture of the late Duke of Kent cutting a very sharp dash with the same style sporran in the mid-1920s.



Too much for one chap to keep selfishly to himself, do you think..?

I agree. That's why I make them available to buy as fund-raisers for the charity-run museum where I volunteer.

Good of me, huh.?

[Troglodyte]

A feature of these thong-through sporrans is their proportions.

It's not so obvious when seen alone, but when seen next to the more familiar modern style, the generous height and gusset depth is notable. Height and width is closer to that of the regular arch-top metal cantle type.

But if these are not really your style, perhaps we should revive this kind of beauty from the same inter-war era -