Quality Sporrans for less money

**OC Richard** · 23rd December 24, 06:14 AM

Not our brief- these are rather pricier- but it goes to show the trouble people can have identifying military sporrans.

The seller initially had these listed merely as a pair sporrans ($350 for the pair) then pulled down the listing.

Evidently it's because people were telling him that one of the sporrans is a Cameron Highlanders sporran, because now he's relisted it with that description

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176750896029

Alas, it's a Liverpool Scottish sporran. I told the seller as much, and sent him a 1930s photo showing a member of the Liverpool Scottish wearing it.

Which is cool, them being rather more rare. But I do wish the seller would split the sporrans up. A military collector isn't going to want to pay for a civilian sporran, and visa versa.

**Glazenn** · 23rd December 24, 06:54 AM

This is a used sporran that I bought from ebay Germany earlier this month. Some hair has been rubbed on both sides.

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The belt was supplied with the sporran, the buckle looks odd, and I had to remove a few inches by the middle to reduce the length.

**OC Richard** · 25th December 24, 08:58 AM

That's lovely!

Nicoll Brothers, one of the cantle styles which might have been unique to them. Is it stamped on the side?

I have a Nicoll Brothers "hunting" sporran with that same cantle (left, and the best image I can find of their brass version)

**Glazenn** · 25th December 24, 09:48 AM

Thank you,
Not stamped.
Here's the original eBay post showing additional pictures:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/20511301047979
The cantle was seriously tarnished, but luckily, it appeared to be silver-plated and was easy to restore to its former glory.
Had it been chrome-plated, it would have been a different story.
The seller reduced the price to €50.00, with no import fees to pay within the European Union.

**Glazenn** · 25th December 24, 10:45 AM

Horsehair sporran, Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforths & Camerons) - issued in 1976.
Stamped: KA - Made in Scotland
Belt and chains are obviously not original.

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If I remember well, I got it from Bugpiper on ebay (Belfast, UK) some 20 years ago.
"A very good "used" condition, British Army issue Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforths & Camerons) horse hair sporran as worn by Other Ranks (O/Rs) in No. 1 and No. 2 Dress. This item is made of black horse hair and has 2 white horse hair tassels. This sporran has a large gussetted pocket to the rear, a chromed white metal cantle and bears a genuine staybrite (anodised aluminium) Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforths & Camerons) sporran badge. This pattern of sporran was worn by The Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforths & Camerons) from their formation in 1969 up until their amalgamation with The Gordon Highlanders in 1994. After 1994, the newly formed Regiment, The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons & Camerons) continued to wear this pattern of sporran up until their absorbtion into The Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006."

It's now back to Scotland, its new owner lives in Glenrothes.

**Glazenn** · 25th December 24, 12:34 PM

One of my preferred ones. Brass cantle. So basic !

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**OC Richard** · 27th December 24, 03:55 AM

Originally Posted by Glazenn

Horsehair sporran, Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforths & Camerons) - issued in 1976.
Stamped: KA

Yes that's the later style with the turning latch (I don't know what to call it).

The earlier ones had an internal press button, and oddly the sporran-belt loops were attached to the inside of the front panel, making it difficult to get your hand in there while the sporran was being worn.

KA would be Kinloch Anderson. I've seen a large number of sporrans stamped Kinloch Anderson which were made by Nicoll Brothers, at least up to the time that Nicoll Brothers were acquired by Piob Mhor (Blairgowrie).

Originally Posted by Glazenn

If I remember well, I got it from Bugpiper on ebay...

Steve McVeigh of fond memory, ex-Gordon Highlander I do believe.

He had amazing connexions with military suppliers, ex-army kiltmakers, and such. He had a way of finding rare and unique things!

I bought this sporran from him. I've never seen another example of that cantle.

Originally Posted by Glazenn

"This pattern of sporran was worn by The Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforths & Camerons) from their formation in 1969 up until their amalgamation with The Gordon Highlanders in 1994."

Steve's a bit off here, The Queens Own Highlanders was formed a decade earlier, in 1959, and initially wore the MOD "Culloden" white leather sporran.

Those short (14 inch) Other Ranks sporrans are said to have been introduced in 1968 (though I've seen sporrans stamped 1967).

Finally, with the formation of the RRS, Other Ranks had a full-length (18 inch) horsehair sporran. It took 102 years, but all's well that ends well.

**Glazenn** · 27th December 24, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Yes that's the later style with the turning latch (I don't know what to call it).

The earlier ones had an internal press button, and oddly the sporran-belt loops were attached to the inside of the front panel, making it difficult to get your hand in there while the sporran was being worn.

...

I like the diaper pins securing the tassel chains...

**OC Richard** · 29th December 24, 04:30 PM

Classic "pigskin" Day sporran $35 by WE Scott Edinburgh.

Back in the 1920s many Day sporrans were listed as pigskin, and at some point they started adding texture and colour to cowhide to simulate a pigskin appearance.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11643195288...Bk9SR9zs7suCZQ

**Troglodyte** · 30th December 24, 05:20 AM

This is a nice thing -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176740678332

Perhaps not so much a 'for less' item when some eBay prices give real bargains, but this one is in good condition and comes with an interesting chain-strap. Very helpfully, the seller gives a whole load of measurements.

Recent auction prices suggest it's worth double what's being asked, so might be worth a punt.