So I own a seal skin sporran...

**Drac** · 31st March 11, 11:00 AM

If it helps I ran into a similar experience with a piece of walrus tusk. Was told it was preban but the tusk didn't come with the metal tag required on registered pieces.

I contacted a dealer who specializes in ivory (if I can draw a parallel) and asked him about the tusk and how I registered it. He said that the ones and twos aren't the issue with the goverment. Not that it was or wasn't illegal but unless you have a garage full of the stuff they were not likely to come down on someone or unless you go waving it in their faces such as taking it across a national border.

Jim

**Lallans** · 31st March 11, 11:14 AM

I'm guessing that is perfectly correct, Drac, and all the OP would have to be careful about is leaving the USA and then reentering with the sporran. Supposing it isn't cowhide.

Off topic as usual, I remember looking at a walking stick some years back, made from a narwhale tusk, and fitted with a muskox horn handle and a walrus tusk ferrule. Supposing I could have afforded the $1000.00 asking price, all I would have had to do to cause an international incident would have been to put on my sealskin sporran and then drive with the stick to within 10 km of the US border !

**Calico** · 31st March 11, 11:43 AM

I'll trade you my definitely bovine sporran for your probably bovine sporran.

**Brian K** · 31st March 11, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

I'm guessing that is perfectly correct, Drac, and all the OP would have to be careful about is leaving the USA and then reentering with the sporran. Supposing it isn't cowhide.

There is a member here who has written about leaving the U.S., and returning, with legal sealskin sporrans and having never had any trouble with them. The lesson being, I believe, don't call attention to it! If you don't make a big deal about this very very nice bovine sporran you'll be OK.

Take a deep breath and relax, and for Pete's sake - don't ask and don't tell!

**Spartan Tartan** · 31st March 11, 12:15 PM

Are you absolutely certain it's sealskin? Just saying...

And as for international travel, if you were to take your kilt get up, I for one would not necessarily bring my "favorite" or nicest sporran. I'd take something less expensive in case the airport lost my luggage.

Leave it at that.

**auld argonian** · 31st March 11, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Brian K

There is a member here who has written about leaving the U.S., and returning, with legal sealskin sporrans and having never had any trouble with them. The lesson being, I believe, don't call attention to it! If you don't make a big deal about this very very nice bovine sporran you'll be OK.

Take a deep breath and relax, and for Pete's sake - don't ask and don't tell!

Sure...easy for YOU to say...you don't have that vicious airport beagle sniffing at your crotch and barking "we have a violation!" in beagle talk....book him, Dano!

Best

AA

**T-Bone** · 31st March 11, 02:39 PM

I'm not sure where you live but here in North Central Indiana, I doubt very much that one person in a 5 county area could identify seal skin on sight. I would not worry about it. The so-called damage is already done.

T

**OC Richard** · 2nd April 11, 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

does the DFW send sporran inspectors around to Highland Games to sniff out the sealskin?

It happened, at a Highland Games out west here.

A guy was looking at a sporran at a booth, and asked the proprietor "is this real sealskin?"

"Yes it is."

"Do you have any more?"

"Yes we have quite a few there in the van."

Then the guy produced his badge, and seized all the sealskin sporrans.

**auld argonian** · 2nd April 11, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

It happened, at a Highland Games out west here.

A guy was looking at a sporran at a booth, and asked the proprietor "is this real sealskin?"

"Yes it is."

"Do you have any more?"

"Yes we have quite a few there in the van."

Then the guy produced his badge, and seized all the sealskin sporrans.

We have an infamous attractive female game warden in these parts who, as you might imagine, busts a whole lot of unlicensed fishermen just by asking such simple questions.

Just always remember the state motto of New Jersey, "I didn't see nothin', I don't know nothin'".

Best

AA

**Nighthawk** · 2nd April 11, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

So, lemme ask this...does the DFW send sporran inspectors around to Highland Games to sniff out the sealskin and eagle feathers?

Best

AA

ShutupShutupShutup!! They just might start!!

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

Are you absolutely certain it's sealskin? Just saying...

And as for international travel, if you were to take your kilt get up, I for one would not necessarily bring my "favorite" or nicest sporran. I'd take something less expensive in case the airport lost my luggage.

Leave it at that.

That's good advice, seal skin or no.