Question about “MOD” sporrans

[TheVintageLibertine]

Hi all,

Does anyone have firsthand experience with British Ministry of Defense (MOD) day sporrans? I am specifically referring to the current(?) model issued to the Royal Regiment of Scotland. I found one for sale online for what seems like a very fair price, since it’s about 1/3 the cost of similar simple sporrans from reputable makers. It looks brand new, although the seller says it’s military surplus with “signs of slight wear” (though I can see any in the pictures). It has what the seller describes as a NATO inventory code and looks to be dated 2007. Are these well made? Is the leather good quality?

Thanks!

[kilted2000]

I have one and it is one of my go to sporrans.

[Troglodyte]

Hi all,

Does anyone have firsthand experience with British Ministry of Defense (MOD) day sporrans? I am specifically referring to the current(?) model issued to the Royal Regiment of Scotland. I found one for sale online for what seems like a very fair price, since it’s about 1/3 the cost of similar simple sporrans from reputable makers. It looks brand new, although the seller says it’s military surplus with “signs of slight wear” (though I can see any in the pictures). It has what the seller describes as a NATO inventory code and looks to be dated 2007. Are these well made? Is the leather good quality?

Thanks!

It is quite likely to have been made by Margaret Morrison, sporran-makers in Perth, Scotland, who I understand hold the MoD contract, and so will be to their usual high standard.

However, the construction has been modified over the years, and cost-saving techniques adopted - the British government has always spent the least it an get away with on its armed forces, and non-combat equipment like other-duty-use sporrans are an easy target for the penny-pinchers in Whitehall. Edge-binding and interior lining differences are what to look out for.

My pictures show a post-war style and the more recent style that was made by Nicoll Bros (MM have Nicolls' old tools and templates) that remained the style until the amalgamation of regiments in more recent times. The post-war model is larger and roomier than all the later ones - much more practical in all ways.

Whilst the current millitary issue sporran is good enough, I feel too much has been compromised and the older models are better in many ways. If I were to give advice, I would say go for one of the pre-1953 sporrans, and swap the regimental badge for something of your own - they are only held in place with split-pins.

DSCF6812.jpg DSCF6813.jpg DSCF6815.jpg DSCF7346.jpg DSCF7347.jpg DSCF7352.jpg

[OC Richard]

Sometimes you can find an unissued older-style sporran that doesn't have the holes punched in.

With the new RRS sporrans there's the same badge for everybody, the maker knows where the holes need to be punched.

But with the old ones there were several regiments with different badges requiring different hole placements so they seem to have come from the maker un-punched.

On Ebay years ago I picked up an unissued un-punched Black Watch pattern sporran from Canada, made in the 1950s.

Here's the evolution for one regiment, the Black Watch (now 3SCOTS).

Note the nasty black vinyl one from the 1980s.

Top left: WWII Top right: 1950s Bottom left: 1980s/1990s Bottom right: RRS

[TheVintageLibertine]

Thanks for the info, Troglodyte. With those pictures as reference, I’m sure that I could identify a pre-1953 model/pattern online. Am I right in assuming that military day sporrans of that vintage are somewhat rare, and so potentially expensive?

[TheVintageLibertine]

That is an interesting side-by-side, OC Richard; thanks!

I quite like the looks of the 1950s version.

The one I found is identical to picture you posted on the bottom right; however, I just realized that the one I found doesn’t have a hole punched for the crowned thistle badge. Would that mean it was never issued?

[OC Richard]

Yes, never issued or at least never worn, because in proper uniform it must have the badge.



(BTW interesting to see the variety of waistbelts/buckles being worn due to the various ranks and offices. The two lefthand ones are explained by this photo.)

[TheVintageLibertine]

(BTW it's interesting to see the variety of waistbelt buckles due to the various ranks and offices.)

It’s funny you mention that, because I was just wondering about the different belts. Even the two Pipe Majors (?) seem to have different style belts! I’m sure there’s a rhyme and reason, but it’s lost on me.

[Troglodyte]

Thanks for the info, Troglodyte. With those pictures as reference, I’m sure that I could identify a pre-1953 model/pattern online. Am I right in assuming that military day sporrans of that vintage are somewhat rare, and so potentially expensive?

They are more not-so-often seen, rather than rare, and the ones that come up for sale are usually the well-used examples - but good condition examples can still be found.

My experience from talking to ex-Jocks of the 1945-1970 era gives me to to understand that the individual soldiers often got attached sentimentally to their sporrans, and would either buy them at the end of their service, or else 'lose' them and pay the fine. Either way, the sporrans went on to see many years' use in a civilian role. Kilts often 'retired' with the soldier in the same way.

Current market prices have a wide variation. I know someone who has four to sell at the moment, at £50 ($62us) but they are in a well-worn condition - still good and usable, but with lots of what you might call 'patina'. For a good example you could expect to pay two or even three times that amount - there are collectors always on the lookout for good examples, who keep the prices high-ish.

One thing I would say is, be cautious when buying from retailers online and eBay. A photo of the genuine regimental purse is used for the listing, but what is provided is something of a far less quality and certainly not a genuine army-issue item. But these are usually sellers from you know where.

As it happens, the sporrans shown in my pictures are both available, and the 1952 one is Cameron Highlanders and has its original chain-strap. PM me if you want to know more.

[Troglodyte]

That is an interesting side-by-side, OC Richard; thanks!

I quite like the looks of the 1950s version.

The one I found is identical to picture you posted on the bottom right; however, I just realized that the one I found doesn’t have a hole punched for the crowned thistle badge. Would that mean it was never issued?

See this for reference - https://morrison-sporrans.co.uk/prod...ar-sporran-l6a