Question about “MOD” sporrans

[Tomo]

It is quite likely to have been made by Margaret Morrison, sporran-makers in Perth, Scotland, who I understand hold the MoD contract, and so will be to their usual high standard.

I follow Margaret Morrison on social media - I believe they actually lost the MOD contract last time it went out for tender, but then the new contract owner basically subcontracts the work back to MM. No doubt cheaper for them than investing in their own tooling etc and the contract is most likely much broader than just sporrans.

The good news, of course, is that the quality is maintained and they are still made in Scotland.

[TheVintageLibertine]

Thanks for all the informative responses—they are very helpful.

Margaret Morrison is, indeed, the reputable maker I eluded to in my OP.

Since it is likely that MM made the one I found for sale, and it is 45 GBP, with the belt, and including shipping to the U.S. from UK, I’ll take a chance.

The lister is a casual/infrequent seller, not a regular retailer/reseller/dealer of militaria. I’m confident the items pictured is what will actually be shipped.

I’ll give an update when it arrives.

[Troglodyte]

There is also this -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/396102049952

[OC Richard]

It’s funny you mention that, because I was just wondering about the different belts. Even the two Pipe Majors (?) seem to have different style belts! I’m sure there’s a rhyme and reason, but it’s lost on me.

It looks like the Pipe Major is the same man in both photos (Pipe Major Burns). He's far left in both.

Interestingly, in No1 Dress he's wearing the same portrait-oriented buckle as the rest of the pipers, but in No2 Dress he's wearing a different buckle, landscape-oriented.

Generally Pipe Majors wear different hardware, both waistbelt and crossbelt, than the other pipers.

Here's Pipe Major Harvie of 1SCOTS showing the landscape-oriented waistbelt buckle that PM Burns is wearing in No2 Dress above. It's the buckle formerly worn by the pipers of the KOSB, scrollwork, with strap & buckle bearing the Roman numerals XXV (25th Foot, the King's Own Borderers).

BTW the Pipes & Drums of 1SCOTS was disbanded in 2021.

(Notice the way the Drum Major's crimson silk sash catches the light the upper portion appears fuchsia; obviously it isn't really like that.)

(Also for tartan-spotters notice the PM is wearing Royal Stewart in three different sett-sizes.)



Also in that No2 Dress photo the officer is wearing the Sam Browne belt (as officers have since Service Dress was introduced) and there are two men wearing the ordinary RRS buckle but on a black belt. I can't make out the rank/office of either man.