Role of the Hunting Sporran

[Paul Henry]

I really wish we had an area so that people could post scans of old catalogs and the like. It would be a great resource for those looking for guidance on highland attire.

2 more pictures fro you ,from the same catalogue,nothing very much surprising , and all are still worn today I think!



sorry a little off topic, but I thought it was good reference!

[OC Richard]

2 more pictures fro you ,from the same catalogue,nothing very much surprising , and all are still worn today I think!

Thanks!

Actually I don't think anyone makes EXACTLY those sporrans today... every one has some nice old touch you don't see nowadays, for example a number of the cantles have three knobs whereas modern Evening Dress cantles nearly always have only one.

And the sporran at top looks very much like a style still made, but the cones for the tassels are shaped like thistles.

[JSFMACLJR]

Thanks!

Actually I don't think anyone makes EXACTLY those sporrans today... every one has some nice old touch you don't see nowadays, for example a number of the cantles have three knobs whereas modern Evening Dress cantles nearly always have only one.

And the sporran at top looks very much like a style still made, but the cones for the tassels are shaped like thistles.

I doubt you'll see too many ocelot fur sporrans for sale these days.

[English Bloke]

I doubt you'll see too many ocelot fur sporrans for sale these days.

Do you think not?

Despite it's now probably illegal status, it is undeniably a very handsome example of the sporran maker's art isn't it? And only £8.40... for solid silver... Nice!

Thanks for sharing those pages Paul. Very interesting.

[Paul Henry]

Thanks!

Actually I don't think anyone makes EXACTLY those sporrans today... every one has some nice old touch you don't see nowadays, for example a number of the cantles have three knobs whereas modern Evening Dress cantles nearly always have only one.

And the sporran at top looks very much like a style still made, but the cones for the tassels are shaped like thistles.

I was careful to say worn, not made!! as I'd like to hope that many of them have become prized family heirlooms!

[CMcG]

What is the role of the hunting sporran?...

You've already had quite a few answers and some interesting historical context. I will add that I have what the kilt industry currently calls a "hunting" sporran and it's role is the same as any other leather sporran: suitable for all events except formal evening wear.






When one of my friends started getting interested in wearing the kilt, I bought him a leather hunting sporran with a metal cantle. To me, this raises the level of formality enough that he could wear it for black tie formal, though it might be become a bit too much to just wear with very informal dress. I think it would still work OK with any of the outfits I posted above, plus formal evening wear, but not white tie.