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.

[Grump]

First group picture. You are quite right about the Sam Browne being Officer territory note the pips on the shoulder epaulets. The two Pipe Majors are Warrant Officers (WO2) red sash means up for promotion most likely to WO1 next move is RSM. NCO's wear rank on the sleeves crown with oak leaves WO . Valid rank hooks are worn "V" pointing down. After the amalgamation, as I understand, tartan kilts are all Black Watch. Regimental pipes are former attachments. Royal Stewart belong to Black Watch Pipes awarded by the Queen Mother many years ago. Note the different Glenny's. This is only a guess but the plain ones are most likely former Cameron Highlanders the triple diced doesn't belong here! The parent regiment is NEVER forgotten.
From what I can remember. Sorry if I missed something and I most likely did. Life member Queens Own Cameron Highlanders Association in Canada.

[Grump]

Right is WO2

[TheVintageLibertine]

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

I had heard that. It’s kind of a shame the pipe band wasn’t maintained when 1 SCOTS were re-badged as 1 RANGER since the cadre of that battalion was and still is largely Scottish.

First group picture. You are quite right about the Sam Browne being Officer territory note the pips on the shoulder epaulets. The two Pipe Majors are Warrant Officers (WO2) red sash means up for promotion most likely to WO1 next move is RSM. NCO's wear rank on the sleeves crown with oak leaves WO . Valid rank hooks are worn "V" pointing down. After the amalgamation, as I understand, tartan kilts are all Black Watch. Regimental pipes are former attachments. Royal Stewart belong to Black Watch Pipes awarded by the Queen Mother many years ago. Note the different Glenny's. This is only a guess but the plain ones are most likely former Cameron Highlanders the triple diced doesn't belong here! The parent regiment is NEVER forgotten.
From what I can remember. Sorry if I missed something and I most likely did. Life member Queens Own Cameron Highlanders Association in Canada.

Thanks for the info, Grump and OC Richard. I love watching YouTube videos of the RRS’ pipe bands, and always scratch my head at the seemingly endless variations of kit. In fact, a YouTube video of parade white the rifle companies in No. 2 dress around Christmas time is what inspired to buy a similar style dat sporran. Your posts helps divine the meaning.

[OC Richard]

Yes the ever-dwindling RRS pipe bands!!

It's a shame.

It had already started when the 2nd Battalions were abolished, because each Battalion had its own Pipes & Drums.

Add to that the Cameronians being abolished outright.

Then the amalgamations, c1960 Cameron Highlanders and Seaforth Highlanders, and in 1994 the Gordon Highlanders being added to the mix.

And the Royal Scots and the Kings Own Scottish Borderers to create 1SCOTS.

Then in 2012 5SCOTS (the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) were reduced to company strength, losing their Pipes & Drums a year later.

What's cool is that the first four have been able to maintain their traditional uniforms, called "antecedent dress". It's just a matter of time that the various Pipes & Drums are put into some kind of generic RRS kit, and when that happens I hope that they use Royal Stewart for the pipers.

Why? It's a simple "majority rules" thing.

Here's what tartan the various pipers wore:

Royal Scots: Royal Stewart

Kings Own Scottish Borderers: Royal Stewart

Royal Scots Fusiliers: Erskine

Highland Light Infantry: MacKenzie

Black Watch: Royal Stewart

Seaforth Highlanders: MacKenzie

Cameron Highlanders: Cameron of Erracht, switched to Royal Stewart in 1943.

Gordon Highlanders: Gordon

Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders: Black Watch (with lighter green)

52nd (Lowland) /6SCOTS: Erskine

51st (Highland)) /7SCOTS: Royal Stewart

[Grump]

But the only ones they have yet to touch are the Irishmen. Absolutely wonderful Irish music and all very fine lads.

[OC Richard]

But the only ones they have yet to touch are the Irishmen. Absolutely wonderful Irish music and all very fine lads.

Right, if this trend keeps up saffron kilts will outnumber tartan ones in the army.

Though the Irish regiments have had to undergo amalgamations too, losing Pipes & Drums in the process.