Quality Sporrans for less money

[OC Richard]

A really nice Nicoll Brothers Bankfoot black "semi dress" sporran with seal (?) front 25 pounds.

For those not in the USA.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20505688321...Bk9SR_yn25fXZA

[OC Richard]

I had to look up the coat of arms, it's Fettes College.

The sporran is by WE Scott.

I did comment on a recent Fettes College Pipes and Drums video on YouTube letting them know they could get one of their sporrans back for 10 pounds. One of their pipers was missing theirs!

That's the thing about pipe bands: you issue kit but sometimes don't get it back when members leave the band.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15648160364...Bk9SR4TA9czbZA

[OC Richard]

Semi-dress probably by Nicoll Brothers $30.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12675588111...Bk9SR960_ZneZA

[OC Richard]

Pound Shop! Two sporrans 99p.

Sadly there's no photos of the backs, and the seller is one of those irritating ones that says "as soon as the photos are taken our items are packaged for shipping so no additional information is possible" etc.

The backs would tell us who made it, where, and when, usually even if there's no stamps.

They do look UK-made. One sporran appears to have sealskin tassels.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17666339974...Bk9SR5ih85XgZA

A bit pricey for our brief at $50 but a sporran in the USA by Manacraft

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17666563541...Bk9SR5ih85XgZA

[OC Richard]

Gorgeous brown leather and seal Day sporran, almost certainly by Nicoll Brothers (who sometimes just stamped their sporrans "Made in Scotland") and here in the USA so no import issues

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205106060126

[Troglodyte]

Gorgeous brown leather and seal Day sporran, almost certainly by Nicoll Brothers (who sometimes just stamped their sporrans "Made in Scotland") and here in the USA so no import issues

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205106060126

A fine example, is that.

And the chain-strap appears to be nickel-silver diamond-cut curb-chain with now-rare Albert clips. Which is a bonus.

[OC Richard]

A fine example, is that.

And the chain-strap appears to be nickel-silver diamond-cut curb-chain with now-rare Albert clips. Which is a bonus.

Good eye, I have an old chain-strap like that. I didn't know the terminology.

[Troglodyte]

Good eye, I have an old chain-strap like that. I didn't know the terminology.

I have a few as well...

The 'diamond cut' finish removes the rounding from the links' shoulders, and so makes the chain lie flatter against the kilt. The links often seem to be closer to each other, too, which adds a kind of 'superior finish' to the chain-straps I feel.

I have managed to find supplies of these old chain and clip styles in solid brass, and have replicated the 'vintage' look with new-made chain-straps. Being non-lacquered, the brass quickly takes on a pleasing patina that goes very well with old leather sporrans.

[Padraicog]

Troglodyte

Do you have details of the supplier of the diamond-cut brass chains?

[Troglodyte]

Troglodyte

Do you have details of the supplier of the diamond-cut brass chains?

I should still have it in the file somewhere...

I'll check.

I remember it was a manufaturer/trade-supplier, and that it was astonishingly expensive for what it is, but excellent quality and finish. On a par with ready-made jewelery chain.

I made a dozen chain-straps, and they turned out like this...

DSCF7096.jpg

... which I think make a good partnering with vintage brass-trimmed sporrans.

Most commercialy available 'brass' chain-straps seem to be 'brass effect' plating, and not the solid metal - which is understandable when the raw chain is so expensive. The plating soon wears off, and the white base metal is revealed - not so with the solid brass chains.