I need some advice about my vintage sporran please

**Nathan** · 20th March 14, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by artificer

It's a lovely piece, and certainly something your son can grow into for basically his whole life, assuming it survives the costume box years.
(Personally, I'd recommend you remove it from the costume box and replace it with a cheapy sporran you can buy on eBay for $12-16US. He'll thank you for it later)

ith:

Yes please!! I think the sporran is wonderful and and you should take very good care of it... or sell it to me!;)

**duartgirl** · 20th March 14, 08:33 PM

Alas, it is not mine to sell. My little guy used half of his 20 pound mad money on this, so it is rightfully his. He did inform me though that if I want to fix it up that he would NOT pay for it! Pretty sassy! Nevertheless, based on all the wonderful advice I think I will pay to have it fixed. Then I WILL likely remove it from the dress-up box.

One last question, are the loops in the back for a belt? Is that the proper way to wear this kind of sporran? I have only seen the kind with chains. If I got the chains for it, should they be brass? Where do they attach? My apologies, that was more than one last question...

**Calgacus** · 21st March 14, 03:13 AM

Hi duartgirl, that's a lovely sporran and your son got it for a lovely price!

I'm not an expert but I'd say the loops were definitely for a belt, and this is indeed a common way to wear day sporrans. Given the angle of the loops, I'd say it's likely that it was not a single belt passed through both loops, but two half-belts, each one permanently stitched or riveted to a loop each, if that makes sense.

I could easily be wrong, maybe Artificer or others will have different interpretations.

**artificer** · 21st March 14, 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by duartgirl

Alas, it is not mine to sell. My little guy used half of his 20 pound mad money on this, so it is rightfully his. He did inform me though that if I want to fix it up that he would NOT pay for it! Pretty sassy! Nevertheless, based on all the wonderful advice I think I will pay to have it fixed. Then I WILL likely remove it from the dress-up box.

One last question, are the loops in the back for a belt? Is that the proper way to wear this kind of sporran? I have only seen the kind with chains. If I got the chains for it, should they be brass? Where do they attach? My apologies, that was more than one last question...

The loops are for a sporran strap or chain.

If it's a one-piece leather strap it would be usually around 3/4" to ~1" wide and pass through both of the loops on the back of the sporran and buckle on the back (or even better, on the hip) of the wearer. If a chain were used one clasp would clip to each loop.
Either style should be just long enough so that the sporran hangs down a few inches lower than the kilt/dirk belt (if worn)- to somewhere around the middle of the lower abdomen- although this will vary between wearers and even specific activities.
Generally speaking it shouldn't be worn low enough to double as a codpiece.

I don't particularly like chains with brass cantles as you get a lot of metal on metal wear, especially if a harder chain was used. Brass is soft compared to steel. If a brass chain could be found that would certainly help prevent too much wear, but you'll still have a lot of scratching.

ith:

**duartgirl** · 21st March 14, 08:14 AM

Thank you! That is excellent advice. I didn't even consider the softness of the brass (which is why I am so grateful for your expertise!). While the front shows all the scratches and nicks of being well used, the back has almost none. I suspect then that it was always used with a belt. Since now it seems like I should keep it for him as an heirloom, I think I will take your wise (and very much appreciated) advice and find a proper belt. I suspect it should be cheaper than a chain too. Next he needs a kilt to go with it...I can see this is going to get expensive, but it sure is fun!

**Tim Little** · 21st March 14, 09:24 AM

Yet another reminder of what a wonderful resource this site is.
Great sporran; great advice!

**plaid preacher** · 21st March 14, 09:44 AM

Duartgirl, welcome to the forum. The offers to buy your young man's sporran is our way of saying how incredibly jealous we are that you were able to find a spectacular sporran at a great price. You should tell your young man just how envious we are. Regarding the sporran belt, if he is still a wee lad, any thin gents or ladies belt will suffice for a sporran belt. You may have something in your closet that would do, or could easily pick up something for cheap at the goodwill. Once you get him kilted out, you will have to post a photo. Can't wait to see him.

**creagdhubh** · 21st March 14, 10:03 AM

Wow! What a gorgeous sporran! Thank you for sharing its story and lovely photos. You have been given superb advice, especially from Scott (Artificer), of which I whole heartedly agree.

Welcome to the forum!

Cheers,

**Tobus** · 21st March 14, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by duartgirl

One last question, are the loops in the back for a belt? Is that the proper way to wear this kind of sporran?

Others have answered this, but I wanted to jump in as well. The metal loops are indeed for a sporran belt. Yours is very similar in construction to the military sporran cantles of the 1950s-1960s (although it is most certainly not a military cantle). Those military cantles were based on an older design. The sporran belt simply passes through those loops as shown below. The sporran belt is worn with the buckle behind the wearer's back, below the kilt belt.

You have a fabulous sporran there, and I'm surprised it was found in a charity shop. What a great find!

**duartgirl** · 21st March 14, 12:12 PM

It's kind of funny. I wanted him to get a much newer one that was five pounds more but in better shape. He insisted on this one and the lady marked it down from 15 pounds because it "wasn't a good one". This will make for a great story when he is older!