Brass Cantled Sporran

[McMurdo]

A little while ago there was a thread asking about Brass Sporran Cantles, and Antique sporrans in general. In it MacMillian of Rathdown said he would get pictures posted if Brad could do that for him, Brad is away on a cruise and so he asked me to post these photos courtesy of MacMillian of Rathdown it really is a fine example of an antique Brass cantle, and a lovely sporran all round. So without further ado here are the photos. Scott any history on this sporran would be most appreciated.

[ChattanCat]

Riveting! I would rather have that door latch type mechanism than anything else as a closure. I would venture to guess that it is all brass too.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hey Guys, thanks for posting the photos-- I just can't get it done with the i-Phone!

This is my "every day" sporran, and the brass gets polished once a year whether it needs it or not! It's not an antique, although the gentleman who made it was; he served in both WWI and WWII. Here's the story:

I purchased the sporran in 1971 at the Braemar Games in Scotland from a retired RN Commander who made them as a hobby. He copied an original (he was wearing it, so I can attest to the closeness of the copy), but simplified the latch. The cantle is obviously brass, and the hand stitched bag is deer hide from a deer shot by the Commander on a neighboring estate. When I bought this sporran, it cost 5 GBP less than an evening wear seal skin sporran, so it wasn't exactly cheap; but in my opinion at the time it was worth every penny. After thirty seven years I still haven't changed my mind.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Riveting! I would rather have that door latch type mechanism than anything else as a closure. I would venture to guess that it is all brass too.

There are only two bits on the cantle that aren't brass: the spring and the spring keeper pin, both of which are steel, and the only parts not made by the Commander. He told me at the time that this type of latch was superior to the original as it never popped open. So far, in the 37 years I've worn this sporran, he's been right.

[arrg-isle]

Beautiful piece, and what an intriguing, yet simple, closure!
I've heard it opined many times that brass was likely so popular in the 16th & 17th centuries for exposed metal surfaces on Highland crafts because it was far more resistant to rust than iron & tin alloys, and tarnished less than pure copper.ith:

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Beautiful piece, and what an intriguing, yet simple, closure!
I've heard it opined many times that brass was likely so popular in the 16th & 17th centuries for exposed metal surfaces on Highland crafts because it was far more resistant to rust than iron & tin alloys, and tarnished less than pure copper.ith:

Brass was popular for three reasons:
(1) It was easier to work that steel
(2) It was stronger than copper
(3) It didn't rust

Those with money opted for silver cantles, same as today.

[Jack Daw]

That's a handsome sporran.

[Carolina Kiltman]

That is awesome! Thank you for sharing it with us.

Does anybody know a source for brass cantles for those who want to make their own sporrans?

[Joe Gondek]

thanks for the posting
the photos answered a few questions for me about construction

I greatly appreciate any antique cantle photos

I found these photos that shows a more traditional simple catch







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[MacMillan of Rathdown]

thanks for the posting
the photos answered a few questions for me about construction

I greatly appreciate any antique cantle photos

I found these photos that shows a more traditional simple catch







__________________

That looks like one of the sporrans made by (or for) Iain Sherwood at Cuillan Crafts. Again, a nice cantle and a very traditional design. As an avid shooter I have found the coil springs are usually better/more reliable than leaf springs and I suspect that is why the fellow who made my sporran (all those years ago) used a more modern latch design.