alligator sporran

[MacLowlife]

Today I got an old souvenir head-on alligator purse in the mail which might make a perfect sporran. The dimensions (7"h X 9" w)are very close to a traditional sporran, if maybe slightly wider than most. The little critter and his skin seem to be OK, if dry, but the suede cloth gussets are just about shot. The whole thing is lined in the same brittle suede cloth. I gave him a bath in baby oil, just to soften him up a little, but I am debating what to do next.

The gussets are laced on, with what looks to be vinyl ( so much for the purity of primitive cultures ) craft lacing, but there is some machine stitching of gator skin panels as well. There is a flat gator skin bottom. I had in mind to either cut away the panels and glue in new goatskin ( suede) gussets or maybe cut away the lacing and relace the goatskin gussets using the existing holes. I would have to sew or lace by hand, or use glue. I have plenty of goatsuede to play with.

Does anyone have any experience with vintage reptile skins? Am I asking for heartbreak? I have recently acquired an old fox stole and know too well how fragile old skins can become.

If nothing else, I can re-use the gator flap and maybe the front.

Suggestions? Advice?

Many thanks

[cavscout]

There was a thread a few years ago of a alligator had sporran but the link was to an ebay auction that is now gone.

Here's one of that used alligator embossed cow hide.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/e...igator+sporran

[MacLowlife]

Thanks- the type of purse I have is mentioned about 2/3 of the way through this thread. The head of my creature is about a third of the width ( or less) of the flap. I may resort to turning the flap around, so as to showcase the feet on the back of the thing. I am still eager for advice and suggestions about working the leather and reworking the original purse design.

Again, thanks
MacLL

[Bigkahuna]

I would think that if the leather was treated to restore the softness to the hide, then you should have no trouble retooling the skin any way you want. I would get ride of any fake leather laces.

[MacLowlife]

I gave the whole thing a good dose of baby oil ( ever see a squeaky baby, or one that was all dried out?) and got a very gratifying level of flexibility, though it darkened things a good bit, too. I decided to glue the gator onto an existing cowhide sporran for strength and ease of construction. After I glued the flap in place, I decided I liked the look of the dark brown gator flap against the black cowhide body, so I set a snap to fit and have left it. Pictures soon- thanks for the advice, all