Brass Cantle 18th Century Sporrans

**Spc. Scott** · 21st November 08, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by castledangerous

Here is another brass-cantled sporran of similar provenance worn by the Duke of Argyll.

I've seen that picture on http://www.ccsna.org/. I never noticed that it was a brass cantle. I assumed it was leather.

**castledangerous** · 21st November 08, 09:12 AM

Definitely keep us informed if you guys make any!

**DWFII** · 21st November 08, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Scully

I think that I can make one of those. [snip] I wonder if copper or steel would look OK? However copper is super expensive right now and steel is hard to work.
Does anyone have any thoughts on those metals?

Brass is the way to go...it's part of what gives these cantles their charm and it is historically correct.

**Carolina Kiltman** · 21st November 08, 07:16 PM

While copper is currently expensive, (it is the main ingredient in brass) the materials in any piece of work like that is relatively minor in relation to the cost of the finished product. Precious metals, are however, a different story totally.

I would stick with brass, it is relatively easy to cast or work, and finish. It also looks so right. Anything else would look like a cheap knock-off to my eye.

**ThistleDown** · 22nd November 08, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by Joe Gondek

I've been wanting to try making one for some time
my problem is not having one to look at or copy
I have found a photo of the spring catch system and it looks pretty simple to make.I don't have one of the piece that goes into the catch
all the other photos I find only show the fronts

I would like to find photos of the back, sides and top
also especially shots taken from top and side with it opened

can anyone help?

Joe and Scully. The following is taken from my copy of the 1881 edition of TCTH. I hope it helps, but I must admit that I have seen many brass cantle sporrans of the early to late 19C (there are lots in private armoires and chests in the Highlands) and have only seen one with anything we might call a complex spring-loaded system. Among the others the vast majority have a simple button-down system at the back of the cantle. A couple I have seen have sort of back-and-front L-shaped plates with the back part fitting under the top of the front and a tension system released by lifting the finial at the centre top. I would think that metal fatigue would eventually cause that to fail but after a century and more.... The side finials are actually pivots that allow the front cantle to drop forward when the tension is released. Does that make sense? If not, I'll try to get some pics or do some sketches for you.

The one I made years ago is a reasonable mimic and is a shaped sheet brass plate braised to a sheet brass hoop that conforms to the shape of the plate. The back of the sporran is leather (about 10 oz) and connects to the cantle with a strap and button. The original cantle was embossed on the front with a series of interlaced rings, but I merged this with another I had seen that had a very plain front; I preferred this at the time and perhaps still do today.

I have never seen a copper cantle, but I have seen a couple of very simple 19C steel ones. Historical, but not to my taste: massive attempts at the silversmiths art is how I see them.

**Bugbear** · 22nd November 08, 12:46 AM

Thank you for describing that so well, ThistleDown.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 22nd November 08, 12:00 PM

Brass is probably your best choice for a cantle, Copper is too soft, steel too heavy. Brass also silver plates nicely and engraves easily.

The catch on my brass cantle sporran is spring loaded.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 22nd November 08, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

The catch on my brass cantle sporran is spring loaded.

I'd (as I'm sure others) would love to see pictures of yours!

**Scully** · 22nd November 08, 02:39 PM

I was thinking that I could start with flat sheet stock brass. I would take a bending brake and fold it to 90 deg. I found a shrinker/stretcher for $89 that should do the job. I will practice on some scrap aluminum from work before I try on the brass though.
That drawing on the catch types is great for me. I think one of those would be better than what I had in mind.
I don't have the tools to press the halves out (stamping press) and I will have to see how smooth I can get the metal after shrinking the radius. However this will have to wait until after the holiday before I can get started.

Scully