Reworking a Hair Sporran

[MacBean]

I'd like some advice as to what's involved in swapping out the hair on a hair sporran.



I recently bought a hair sporran for a boy. It has a lovely 6" wide silverplate cantle (which is why I bought it). The hair is only 15"; too short by far. It's not one of the hair sporrans that opens, but does have the little pouch in the back.

In reading up on how to make a hair sporran, it seems it is sewn to the front, which means I'd have to disassemble the stitched binding around the edge to get at the front.

So some questions: is 6" wide a reasonable cantle size? Has anyone reworked a sporran this way? What do I need to sew leather (I have a sewing machine, but am not sure it will handle leather)? Recommendations?

[artificer]

your best bet would be to remove the cantle and tassels and simply have a new body made. Save the original as well for posterity and collector's value.

[MacRobert's Reply]

I can only answer the first question. I have three adult sporran cantles that are only 5 and 3/4 inches wide, and three that are just over 6 inches wide. They date from the 1940s to the 1980s although two of the smaller ones are of 18th century design.

[MacBean]

your best bet would be to remove the cantle and tassels and simply have a new body made. Save the original as well for posterity and collector's value.

So do you make hair sporrans?

Was your recommendation in part based on a suggestion not to dissassemble an old sporran worth keeping, or perhaps that old leather is likely to be brittle?

I'd have thought that the front leather would come right off once the binding was removed. Perhaps I could replace it alone?

[artificer]

So do you make hair sporrans?

Was your recommendation in part based on a suggestion not to dissassemble an old sporran worth keeping, or perhaps that old leather is likely to be brittle?

I'd have thought that the front leather would come right off once the binding was removed. Perhaps I could replace it alone?

My recommendation is based on a few things:

1) we don't know how the face is attached to the back
- it would be a pity to dissect a vintage piece only to find that it's glued on the inner faces.

2) depending on the leather, a 'recrafter' would have to be VERY careful about the sewn edge and re-sewing the trim. If the leather is older and brittle, considerable damage could be done to an area that's already weaker from the original stitch holes.

3) Simple cost. You're probably going to pay MORE to have the piece disassembled than you'd pay to have a new body put on your original cantle.

4) I personally would ALWAYS prefer to keep old objects intact, or at least if they are changed, make sure the changes are reversible. You can swap bodies and keep the original, and that way if you ever choose to sell it, you can offer both the original and updated bodies.

ith:

[AKScott]

*** on what artificer said. All new vegetable tanned leather to make a complete sporran is $20, maybe $30; the new longer hair is a wash either way.

If it was me doing it I would rather not take the time to take the old one apart, good chance of wrecking it anyway. New leather you can select your self and not have to be like a museum curator when you are stitching it back together.

Cool cantle though, I see the appeal.

M2c,
S

[OC Richard]

I've done a load of cantle switching over the years.

My advice would be to pick up a vintage full length horsehair sporran on Ebay and put your nice vintage cantle on it.

A 6" wide cantle is fairly standard for 20th century adult sporrans. I've had a number of cantles over the years from the 1900-1930 period and they're usually that wide.

In the 19th century cantles tended to be somewhat wider. I just sold a 19th century cantle that's around 6 1/2" wide.

I actually have a very nice, new condition, full size white horsehair sporran made by Janet Eaglton that I could sell you. I was thinking of keeping it but I'll probably never end up wearing it. Your cantle should pop right on.

[MacBean]

Super advice all around. You guys continue to amaze me!
OCRichard, a PM is in preparation...thanks

[MacBean]

I've a potential opportunity of swapping out the sporran for a newer, and longer one. The one thing I'm not too sure on is the tassle cones and chains, as the old ones are really lovely. Has anyone attempted swapping out cones and chains?

[Downunder Kilt]

The cones and chains may be somewhat fiddly to deconstruct. Sometimes the cones are stuck to the horsehair with a gum substance. I have found heating the cones with a hair dyer has helped loosen the gum to enable removal of the cone.

As for the chains being removed, maybe be a problem as the only ones I have seen is where the chain is sewn into the horsehair and then glued. I had some old wrecked tassels and took one apart and I would say that if you want to use the original chain, then you will have to replace the horse hair.

All in all I think you could easily remove the cones but try to match/ substitute the tassel chains