Quality Sporrans for less money

**Crazy Dave** · 29th March 21, 05:25 AM

Yes, I see it now. Thank you! No brand on the particular sporran that I have. Just Made in Scotland, REALLETHER, but the quality is far and above a similar economy version of a piper's sporran that i also own. Another lucky find on a charity sight auction.

**OC Richard** · 29th March 21, 08:53 PM

The most common stamp one sees is this kind, in gold, an oval with

MADE IN SCOTLAND
REAL LEATHER

which was used by several makers for a half-century at least, in the post-WWII era.

Back in the 1920s and 1930s each Highland Outfitter had their own stamp, what I don't know is if they made their own sporrans or put their firm's stamp on sporrans got from an outside sporran maker.

Most current makers have their own stamp.

Anyhow I think the sporran in question is stamped KINLOCH ANDERSON.

**Crazy Dave** · 30th March 21, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

The most common stamp one sees is this kind, in gold, an oval with

MADE IN SCOTLAND
REAL LEATHER

That is the stamp that is on my sporran. To my eye, it is very well made. Superior to the modern sporrans I own.

Dave

**OC Richard** · 5th April 21, 07:33 AM

Nicol Bros Bankfoot is one of my favourite makers! Sadly no longer around, they had been in business since the 1840s.

Here's a lovely traditional brown leather Day sporran, in seemingly new condition, for less than $40 with free shipping.

It appears to be in the colour and texture that many Scottish sporran makers used to create the look of pigskin. In the 1920s Day sporrans were generally pigskin, and soon enough the makers were using cowhide made to resemble it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nicoll-Bros...p2056016.l4276

**Micrographia** · 5th April 21, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Nicol Bros Bankfoot is one of my favourite makers! Sadly no longer around, they had been in business since the 1840s.https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nicoll-Bros...p2056016.l4276

IIRC they became part of Margaret Morrison Ltd? So still around in a way.

Regards, EEM

**Tomo** · 5th April 21, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by Micrographia

IIRC they became part of Margaret Morrison Ltd? So still around in a way.

Regards, EEM

Was going to say the same thing.

**OC Richard** · 6th April 21, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Micrographia

IIRC they became part of Margaret Morrison Ltd? So still around in a way.

Regards, EEM

I wonder what exactly happened to Nicol Bros.

If Margaret Morrison acquired the right to the name "Nicol Bros" I haven't noticed them using it.

That's common in the Highland pipe world, where a current maker will acquire rights to the name of a long-dead maker, and start stamping that name or their entirely different modern pipes.

On the other hand Nicol Bros sporrans had a distinctive look to them, and I haven't noticed MM using the old Nicol Bros designs either.

I'll have to give a closer look at the MM site.

**Highland Logan** · 6th April 21, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I wonder what exactly happened to Nicol Bros.

If Margaret Morrison acquired the right to the name "Nicol Bros" I haven't noticed them using it.

That's common in the Highland pipe world, where a current maker will acquire rights to the name of a long-dead maker, and start stamping that name or their entirely different modern pipes.

On the other hand Nicol Bros sporrans had a distinctive look to them, and I haven't noticed MM using the old Nicol Bros designs either.

I'll have to give a closer look at the MM site.

MM does a lot of hire work where the name of the requestor is stamped on their work. My goat hair sporran, made by MM, was branded House of Labhran.

Frank

**Tomo** · 6th April 21, 10:12 PM

I also think MM picked up Nicoll Bros MOD work - I have seen a posts on MM's facebook page about some of their recent supplies to the military.

References to MM and Nicol Bros are made here: https://www.artisansofscotland.com/a...ison-sporrans/ and here: https://morrison-sporrans.co.uk/about-us/ - although I agree it would be nice to see some of of the old Nicoll Bros designs brought back into production. That said MM do have an extensive catalogue so there may be some lurking about.

**AbernethyCameron** · 7th April 21, 04:17 AM

Around 12-13 years ago if I remember correctly, the MOD Sporran contract in its entirety was awarded to Ammo & Co, Birmingham. There was (small) uproar in the press at the time, but Ammo & Co only made the cantles and sub-contracted the making of the leather and hair sporrans to Margaret Morrison. Not sure if this is still the case but haven't seen or heard anything that would tell me otherwise.