Sparrin' Over the Sporran

[berserkbishop]

Indeed!


The "where" is on Craigie's website.
The "why" I'd have to leave to their explanation:

"PICTURED ARE SOME OF THE UNUSUAL SPORRANS THAT CRAIGIE ORIGINALS HAS DONE FOR CUSTOMERS. THEY SURELY HAVE FERTILE IMAGINATIONS! Living in Florda, you'd think that there would be plenty of 'gators to use for Craigie's customers, but not so! These were classified as "nuisance alligators" by the DNR, and we were able to purchase them. We hope to find a source for the tanned skins so that we can offer them on a regular basis."

You can see more at:
http://www.sporrans.com/STRANGEANDWO...LSPORRANS.html

I think that thing looks awesome. It would be ghastly for something formal IMO but it would be a great conversation piece at games and bars. My local leather shop sells stingray skins that I have considered making into a sporran.

Bishop

[James MacMillan]

Amazing - of course you would have to aligator gillies, belt, etc etc to go with that!!! You know, in a strange sort of way, I really like that.
I wouldn't buy it, but I like it......

[James MacMillan]

For what it's worth - and your experience may vary - I had an Uncle of mine just return from a visit, and he had with him a full faced Badger sporran, and upon entry, they had him fill out an affidavid stating that the sporran was made prior to 1994. Sign it and he was fine. He wore it several times and also had it in his baggs coming home and had no problems.

[BoldHighlander]

You know, I've heard of this before but had forgotten about it. What I'm wondering Jack, do you know who made your sporran? I'd suggest maybe getting something from them attesting that its legal(?)...

Of course, a broader question is why should this "law" affect sporrans made in the US / Canada where we maynot have such restrictions?

[The Wizard of BC]

You also need to remember that it is illegal to bring Seal and seal fur products into the US. So upon your return you may be stopped.

[BoldHighlander]

You also need to remember that it is illegal to bring Seal and seal fur products into the US. So upon your return you may be stopped.

Indeed... I was just looking thru one of my many kilt/Scottish goods catalogs (in this case Houston Traditional Kiltmakers) & they have the following regarding their fur sporrans:

"We cannot export seal skin sporrans to USA. So an alternative skin can be sent, e.g. Rabbit, Bovine (Cow), Mink, Chin Chilla, Racoon, Artic Fox, Angora, Horse hair."

I suppose those makers, like Lamont Sporrans who advertises a badger fur sporran, or Kilberry Sporrans whom has a full range of seal skin sporrans, have to jump thru some kind of legal hoops to use these hides, eh?

[Jack Daw]

You also need to remember that it is illegal to bring Seal and seal fur products into the US. So upon your return you may be stopped.

When I came back from Scotland and into the Newark airport my luggage was searched in Customs, so it's possible.

[beloitpiper]

Wow, to each his own, I suppose. I find it repulsive, frankly. Now a full mask badger sporran, on the other hand...

[Jack Daw]

Wow, to each his own, I suppose. I find it repulsive, frankly. Now a full mask badger sporran, on the other hand...

I have a similar made by Craigies. It gets a LOT of attention. I've worn it only three times; the last was at our Houston Kilt night on January 10th at the Tilted Kilt to welcome Chase home. I wear it for casual, but can only bring myself to wear it with the Black Watch kilt and red-and-white diced hose, like the A&S. Have you worn yours for piping gigs? Ironically, the A&S pipers wore a horsehair and not the badger mask sporran. Still, regardless of tradition...

[Tommie]

I'm going to have to add my point of view here,and some of you may not like it,but i have to say it.

I'm very disapointed that some of you are creating a market by purchasing wild animal sporans.I find it repulsive an would never buy one.

Come on guys-there are plenty of alternatives hides out there without killing wildlife...Sorry,but its just how I feel.