Sporran Question

**ShaunMaxwell** · 4th September 22, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by piperalpha

The old chains are so much nicer than the new style. I’m going to have to purchase a reproduction soon. House of Lahbran seems to have some nice ones. Has anyone purchased one of them?

Piperalpha:

The Scottish Trading Company also has a couple of long link chain options that are more budget friendly:

https://www.scottishtradingcompany.c...oducts_id=4705

https://www.scottishtradingcompany.c...oducts_id=4997

I’m thinking of getting the antique version to wear with an antique horsehair sporran I picked up some months ago at the next black tie event I attend.

Cheers,

SM

**piperalpha** · 5th September 22, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by ShaunMaxwell

Piperalpha:The Scottish Trading Company also has a couple of long link chain options that are more budget friendly:https://www.scottishtradingcompany.c...oducts_id=4705 https://www.scottishtradingcompany.c...oducts_id=4997I’m thinking of getting the antique version to wear with an antique horsehair sporran I picked up some months ago at the next black tie event I attend.Cheers,SM

I don't think the quality is the same. The one I had seen didn't have visible welds on the chain from what I remember. I'm far too picky

**ShaunMaxwell** · 5th September 22, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by piperalpha

I don't think the quality is the same. The one I had seen didn't have visible welds on the chain from what I remember. I'm far too picky

No, I wouldn’t think the quality would be the same, as one is a £795 sterling chain and the other is a $55 chain. Apples to oranges, you might say.

That said, given the price differential and the fact that it’s something I MIGHT have occasion to wear once a year, I’m certain I could learn to live with slightly visible welds or remedy it! 😄

Looking forward to seeing photos of your new chain!

Cheers,

SM

**piperalpha** · 6th September 22, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by ShaunMaxwell

No, I wouldn’t think the quality would be the same, as one is a £795 sterling chain and the other is a $55 chain. Apples to oranges, you might say.

That said, given the price differential and the fact that something I MIGHT have occasion to wear once a year, I’m certain I could learn to live with slightly visible welds or remedy it! 😄

Looking forward to seeing photos of your new chain!

Cheers,

SM

Shaun,
Sorry it looks like the commoner version has been removed from their site. It was in the neighbourhood of 60 pounds sterling.
I could not justify spending almost eight hundred pounds on a sporran chain. There's a lot of things on my wish list. A lovat blue jacket, some vintage sporrans, silver mounted sgian dubh, a few balmorals, diced hose and vintage kilt pins. A silver sporran chain is not on that list. I would be worried it would rub off on my kilt.

**kingandrew** · 6th September 22, 10:55 PM

I love all these fabulous photos of Late Victorian sporrans! Keep them coming.

Andrew

**OC Richard** · 7th September 22, 04:30 PM

That slanted sporran is wonderful, no I've not seen that.

It makes total sense from the tailoring point of view, seeing how pockets in trousers are often made slanted.

Sporrans would have to be made right-handed or left-handed, I suppose.

The problem with seeing so many old sporrans only from the front, from photos, paintings, and displayed in museums, is that you don't see those fascinating details on the back.

**Tomo** · 8th September 22, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by piperalpha

The old chains are so much nicer than the new style. I’m going to have to purchase a reproduction soon. House of Lahbran seems to have some nice ones. Has anyone purchased one of them?

Margaret Morrison also do a long link chain: https://morrison-sporrans.co.uk/product/chain-5/

**piperalpha** · 8th September 22, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by Tomo

Margaret Morrison also do a long link chain: https://morrison-sporrans.co.uk/product/chain-5/

That one looks pretty good. It appears to be out of stock. I’m going to keep my eyes open for a good used one.

**piperalpha** · 8th September 22, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by Tomo

Margaret Morrison also do a long link chain: https://morrison-sporrans.co.uk/product/chain-5/

i spoke with Greg over at Margaret Morrison and The House of Lahbran. The both are out of stock. It seems that one of the MOD sporrans had the long link chain. The uniform has changed. They no longer are producing the chains.

Margaret Morrison’s chain maker stopped making that style during covid. They plan to make them one day. It doesn’t sound like it’s going to he soon. I’ll keep my eyes open for a good used one.

**ShaunMaxwell** · 8th September 22, 02:21 PM

This afternoon, I received the long-link sporran chain I'd ordered from the Scottish Trading Company. The link appears earlier in this thread.

The chain is better than I'd thought it would be from the photos on their website. The welds are not in the center of the links, as they appeared in the photos.

The strap portion is that dreadful "pressed leather" stuff, but given how seldom I'll have occasion to wear it, I'm sure it will suffice. Worst case scenario, I have my local shoe repair shop or bridle maker replace the leather portion.

I'm including a few photos, though I'm not sure how well they'll show the details:

I think it will do nicely with my antique horsehair sporran!

All in all, I'm pleased with the purchase.

Cheers,

SM