Fur question concerning sporrans

**cruiser348** · 20th September 12, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

We saw a beautiful sporran made from nutria. . . so it seems pretty much anything goes! Don't tell Bob, but I have a skunk pelt "squirreled" away for future project.

OK, maybe not the best choice of words LOL may have hit on a fur type that wouldn't work so well. . . full-mask chipmunk, anyone?

Full mask chipmunk might make an interesting baby sporran. Can you do a set for twins one with a red nose and one with a black for chip and dale?

**artificer** · 20th September 12, 06:52 PM

You've gotten some excellent advice so far from the rabble. I'd like to toss my $0.02 in just for the heck of it.

Some furs lend themselves better to a traditionally constructed sporran with the rolled gusset detail. Shorter furs like muskrat and seal are much better for a gusset roll, many North American pelts are FAR too bushy to do a good rolled edge, which is why you see some dress sporrans with a flat front (fox, beaver, skunk, raccoon).

For masks, the only advice I'd give is "Keep it sane". I've seen Black Bear sporrans, all the way down to what appeared to be a gerbil or chipmunk. A size somewhere between a muskrat and a badger/coyote is probably best. If I was going to build one for personal use I'd go with the classic Scottish "low-profile" build, where the head is structured, but not fully formed in a natural taxidermic way. No lower jaw, and with the head more flattened that it would appear in nature.

ith:

**MizzouScotsman** · 20th September 12, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by artificer

You've gotten some excellent advice so far from the rabble. I'd like to toss my $0.02 in just for the heck of it.

Some furs lend themselves better to a traditionally constructed sporran with the rolled gusset detail. Shorter furs like muskrat and seal are much better for a gusset roll, many North American pelts are FAR too bushy to do a good rolled edge, which is why you see some dress sporrans with a flat front (fox, beaver, skunk, raccoon).

For masks, the only advice I'd give is "Keep it sane". I've seen Black Bear sporrans, all the way down to what appeared to be a gerbil or chipmunk. A size somewhere between a muskrat and a badger/coyote is probably best. If I was going to build one for personal use I'd go with the classic Scottish "low-profile" build, where the head is structured, but not fully formed in a natural taxidermic way. No lower jaw, and with the head more flattened that it would appear in nature.

ith:

Thanks to one and all who have replied. I indeed have some great ideas. Thanks Artificer as I appreciate your work greatly. I have seen your work on Facebook and thoroughly enjoy it. I am going to go unmasked with the muskrat on this one. If I may ask, with what material do you line your sporrans? Also, do you use any sort of leather stiffener? I ask because I have some nice shoulder leather but it is not as rigid as the front of sporrans that I have seen.

Thanks again y'all.

**knotty** · 20th September 12, 08:24 PM

When I got my Raccoon full mask (made my L&M) it was between that or a skunk. I chose the 'coon because the 84th regiment wore 'coon sporrans, although they might not have been full masks. I would be happy with any they have, but I have my eye on the skunk & beaver (without tassles). Other sporrans that I would like to have (if cost was no issue), would be black bear & wolf. I would like those because I have interacted with both in the wild, plus the bear is my totem animal. I have seen pictures of bird sporrans. I wouldnt want one because of the fragility of the feathers.
I have seen many hides & furs. I like the look of all of them. Likely because it is natural, the same reason I like wood.

Craig

**artificer** · 21st September 12, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by MizzouScotsman

Thanks to one and all who have replied. I indeed have some great ideas. Thanks Artificer as I appreciate your work greatly. I have seen your work on Facebook and thoroughly enjoy it. I am going to go unmasked with the muskrat on this one. If I may ask, with what material do you line your sporrans? Also, do you use any sort of leather stiffener? I ask because I have some nice shoulder leather but it is not as rigid as the front of sporrans that I have seen.

Thanks again y'all.

The lining material varies pretty widely with what I'm building AND with available leathers. You'll find that some leathers, sold as the same type (tannage, weight) are vastly different from others.
For a full mask sporran a stiff 4-5oz veg tanned leather should suffice for the front and rear panels. I don't use any chemical stiffeners, most leathers don't need it.

IF you need to stiffen a leather you can soak it in very hot water for a few minutes, but do this BEFORE you cut your patterns, as the leather will shrink up to 10% in size.
Personally I'd suggest finding a leather that starts out with a firmer hand than trying to alter something.

Good luck, post pix!

ith:

**creagdhubh** · 21st September 12, 05:50 AM

I absolutely love head-on sporrans! To me, they ooze traditional, Victorian era elegance and simplicity simultaneously. My preferred head-on sporran is made of Scottish pine marten, which has been quite a popular choice of animal for these style of sporrans for many years. However, I am also fond of badger (the European species), otter, and mink. Some time ago, I had the opportunity to bid on a gorgeous Scottish wildcat sporran (very fitting since I am a Macpherson) on Ebay, yet I was outbid at the last second! All of my head-on sporrans are custom-made by professional sporran-maker and taxidermist, Kate Macpherson of Breakachy. Kate was taught how to make sporrans by her father, who was a Regimental sporran maker for the Argyll-Sutherland Highlanders.

http://www.katemacphersonsporrans.co.uk/

My Scottish pine marten sporran with feet (optional), by Kate Macpherson.

Here's a muskrat sporran made by L&M Highland Outfitters of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, that has long been sold off. The craftsmanship was a wee bit dodgy and the fur wasn't in the best condition.

The late David Gordon Allen d'Aldecamb Lumsden of Cushnie, wearing a head-on sporran made from a red fox.

My chief (center, in the first photo), Sir William Alan Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, TD, wearing his head-on sporran made from a Scottish wildcat.

Best of luck with your new endeavour, and we shall see you at the St. Louis games!

Slainte,

**creagdhubh** · 21st September 12, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by cruiser348

Full mask chipmunk might make an interesting baby sporran. Can you do a set for twins one with a red nose and one with a black for chip and dale?

Polecat (European species) is an animal traditionally used for smaller, head-on sporrans that are often seen on young children and boys.

Child-size, Scottish polecat sporran made by Kate Macpherson.

Cheers,

**MizzouScotsman** · 23rd September 12, 09:53 PM

I found this beauty at a goodwill type store. Although it seems sacrilegious to destroy a leather jacket, this baby will provide a nice lining to a few of my future sporrans. I also found a nice soft leather skirt that has already been deconstructed for the same purpose. I'm loving this goodwill shopping.