Restoring an Old Sporran

[Troglodyte]

Merry Christmas to All!

I purchased an old sporran several years ago and I'm looking for someone who has the ability to refurbish and restore it. Several years ago there was an individual on the forums named the "Artificer" who I had make me a new sporran, which turned out to be an excellent piece of work. I'm hoping that he, or someone like him might still be available to help me with this sporran.

If any of you has suggestions as to whom might be up to the challenge please let me know.

God Bless You All!!

Mark D. aka Sharkman

There are a number of members of this forum who could be in a position to help you with this, but in order to get a good understanding of what is involved, some detailed photos would be very useful.

A picture of the front, back and inside is essential, plus detailed close-up pictures of any damage, broken stitching, hair or fur loss, etc.

Here in Scotland, Margaret Morrison in Perth offer an excellent repair service (perhaps the best) and keep a range of vintage leathers, skins and furs in stock for this. They also have all the old tooling and patterns from Nicoll Bros' which is a godsend when repairing or refurbishing one of Nicolls' old sporrans. Scotts in Edinburgh are still operating, and will supply spares and replacement tassels, etc.

The most common problem (in my experience) with old sporrans is the lack of care given to them - the leather is never treated and poor storage conditions take a heavy toll on hair and fur.

The leather problems are usually reversed easily with a good quality treatment, but shoe polishes should be avoided as the wax transfers to the front of the kilt and they are not oily enough to revive the leather sufficiently. Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is a good starting treatment if the leather is not too dry, as it does for leather what every mother knows it does for their baby's skin. It is also non-waxy, odourless and colourless.

If the leather is very dry, a gently and sparing application of neatsfoot oil can can be a great initial renovator, and periodic use of Renapur or similar is ideal for the long term.

If you post pictures we will be able to advise more specifically.

[YOJiMBO20]

Since you’re in Poway, I’d reach out to Billy Lang at Leather Tinker. He’s out in the Pine Valley/Laguna Mountain area and he made all the sporrans for our band.

I’m not sure if he’s still doing leatherwork or if he retired, but it’s worth a shot.

[Sharkman]

YOJiMBO20,
Thanks for the lead. I'm living El Cajon now, but meeting someone locally that would be willing work on this sporran would be great. The leather and brass are in really great shape. More than anything else I want to have the latch repaired so that I can wear it. The leather and the brass fittings are in very good shape, but the latch is not holding closed at all. I'm afraid to mess with it myself.

[Sharkman]

Here are some pictures of the Sporran. The leather is in very good condition. It's the latch that has me in fix. I'm afraid to mess with it and screw it up.

[Sharkman]

Can anyone explain to me how to attach pictures. I've uploaded them, but I am not able to get them attached to the reply. I'll try again, but it's been a long time since I had to do this.

Mark D. aka Sharkman

[Sharkman]

I figured it out! lol!! Been away too long!

Mark D. aka Sharkman

[stickman]

Hello Sharkman, I still don’t see any pictures. I have no idea how to upload pictures, I have to ask the young lad across the street to do that for me.

[Sharkman]

SPORRAN-6.jpgSPORRAN-5.jpgSPORRAN-4.jpgSPORRAN-3.jpg
SPORRAN-2.jpgSPORRAN-1.jpg

[Sharkman]

EagleJCS,

Thank you for the help!! It's been years since I posted any pictures.

Mark D aka Sharkman