A new sporran for Jock?

[BoldHighlander]

Alright then chaps time for me to glean an idea,or fifty, from you chaps with up to date ideas.

I am looking for a formal(dress) sporran for evening wear. BUT I don't want fur,or hair of any kind(I have gone off fur). I am happy with leather though and it will need to be along fairly traditional lines. I think a silver cantle will be required too. So all ideas and pictures will be very welcome. Designs are welcome, as I am happy to have the one I like made and of course credit will be given to the designer.

Jock,

when I think of you, what I envision you wearing is something that is not ostentatious, but harkens back to a more simple, traditional time. For the cantle I can see either utilizing or replicating a vintage style.

Though a bit "fancier" than I imagine for this project, I could see something like this vintage cantle:


however, what I very well envision you utilizing is the 1953 MOD "Culloden" cantle or a silver copy of it (bottom right cantle):


for the sporran itself, my first thought ran along the lines of Matt's thinking of sting ray:


however I do like the simplicity & vintage style of the elk/deer hide bags like these Ferguson Britt's:



either would be very nice matched up with the 1953 "Culloden" style cantle.

Another consideration, that would look nice in black leather, would be one inspired by this worn by the Duke of Rothesay (note the cantle closely resembles the 1953 MOD "Culloden"):


Finally, to inspire you further I'd like to include this bit of art by James Drummond of original early sporrans (note that 4 of the 5 illustrated are leather rather than fur):

[Tartan Hiker]

Can anyone tell me if, on this style of sporran, the knots at the top of the side braids act as hinges for the sporran, or is there some other mechanism involved?

[thescot]

Bill, the one I saw like that had no metal at all. The side knots were the hinges and the top closure was a leather knot, too. I think it a very nice sporran but a bit too casual for evening dress.

[MacLowlife]

I'd like to echo those who have suggested something with a little texture- ray or shagreen or reptile-embossed, or possibly suede. I think a suede front on a calfskin back and gusset would probably hold up quite well. I also like the very dressy tassels suggested by JSFMacL. The braided thongs ( a la Britt) may be traditional, but I think they may be unnecessarily rustic. It might be handy to allow for interchanging, though. I like the idea of danglers made or horn or antler and I think the whistle is clever indeed. What about turkey spurs or bear claws, or grouse feet? Has anyone ever used great nasty teethies? Mounted in silver, of course...

[Jock Scot]

Well done every one, keep those ideas and pictures rolling in. I am making notes and so far a germ, or two, of an idea is forming, nothing more. Yes, some of you are quite correct, it is a quietly dignified(loud is out) evening dress sporran that I am after and to me platted leather tassels are rather too rustic for what I am after. Also, as Sandy quite rightly points out, silver bullion type tassels are rather more "evening", I feel. The one thing that I am absolutely wanting to avoid is the sporran looking like those awful semi dress things that are neither fish nor fowl, that seem to have crept in over the last decade or so.

I do know that I have a crocodile hide (about 16ft long) that is heading for a day sporran or six for the family in the very near future.Thank you so much for starting another idea off.

This is getting to be a very expensive question!

[Micric]

With the suede Jock, you'll no have to maul it when you've been eating your fish 'n' chips...........minst you, "fish an' chips" and "Formal" probably don't meet very often!

The crocodile could be dyed black....(just to confuse the matter!)

The silver tassels sound just the ticket!

(Got 3 days in a row with no rain, so got some hay made! ...about time!)

[Mike_Oettle]

Micric wrote: “The crocodile could be dyed black . . . (just to confuse the matter!)”
My thought as well.

And also: “The silver tassels sound just the ticket!”
Ah yes, Jock is a canny Scot indeed to have such things lying around his attic!
Regards,
Mike

[BoldHighlander]

Giving this thread a {bump!} to see if there are any new developments yet Jock?

Curious minds & all, you know

[Jock Scot]

Oh come on, it is the height of the shooting season you know!

Sadly I can only watch though.

Funnily enough the sporran did cross my mind as I drove back north last night and I really must have a look for those tassels. A silver cantle has been provisionally earmarked and I rather like the look of a plain unadorned one, but perhaps ----maybe----a wee tad of engraving-----?

Now then you experts, two questions. How feasible is it to get 70 year old crocodile skin stained black instead of its present brown. And secondly------I know how long is a piece of string------- how easy is it to work with considering its age?

[artificer]

Now then you experts, two questions. How feasible is it to get 70 year old crocodile skin stained black instead of its present brown. And secondly------I know how long is a piece of string------- how easy is it to work with considering its age?

Depending on the condition and finish of the skin, it should take a dye. The type would depend on it's original finishing. I would recommend oil dye, for preference. Spirit dye will strip oils from and dry out an already old hide. Your leather worker should be able to tell you how to progress.

What string are you wondering about? Are the tassels held on with cord instead of chain?