Quality Sporrans for less money

**stickman** · 17th November 21, 07:49 AM

Hope y'all get what you are after. A couple of years ago I got lucky. There was a practice chanter that was listed as (R Henderson Grasgrow German musical instrument) the buy it now price was $50. So I bought it. As I thought it had to be a Peter Henderson. I was right, for once. It was an old chanter made of cocus wood and ivory mounts. It plays beautifully. So keep looking you just have to be there at the right time. good luck.

**OC Richard** · 19th November 21, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by JPS

Here's a bit of an oddball, but at a good price, anyway. It's a black, fur-front sporran with chain tassels and studded flap, made by Piob Mhor. Definitely a unique look for someone. $45 +shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Scottish-Sp...-/313747769865

That's a very handsome sporran!

Personally I'd prefer the tassels to be matching leather, as they would have been in the 1920-1970 period, before the makers started putting Evening tassels on Day sporrans.

BTW the sporran stamped Piob Mhor would have been made by Nicoll Brothers.

Piob Mhor (Blairgowrie) was established in 1974 by two Australian immigrants. In 1983 Nicoll Brothers (Bankfoot) was acquired by Piob Mhor, and sporran making continued in the original Bankfoot shop.

Nicoll Brothers were dissolved in 2007, and were acquired by Margaret Morrison.

**OC Richard** · 21st November 21, 05:20 AM

Here's a beautiful sporran, probably by W E Scott & Sons Edinburgh.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26540930095...ndition=4%7C10

The cantle is a variation on the style called EW4 in the 1950s-1980s catalogues.

Here's a "family photo" showing some of the variation seen in the EW4 style sporran. On the left are two of the cantles normally seen, silverplate, with the three bosses separate screwed-on pieces. Top right is the Nicoll Bros Bankfoot variant, flat with engraved knotwork. Bottom right is the current Ebay sporran, a variant I can't recall seeing before.

The Patent refers to the application by William Elder Scott, Edinburgh, in 1953, a new method of sporran closure, Patent No. 714,788.

Prior to that, Evening Dress sporrans were made like the old military horsehair sporrans, with a leather pocket sewn into the back.

Here, top, are two traditional sporrans showing the pockets made into the back. Not very roomy!

Bottom left is a Forsyth sporran that lacks the flap, opens directly, and had a tab. Note that the old-style cantle which has a rear plate is still used.

Bottom right is the 1953 W E Scott Patent method; the entire back of the sporran opens, and is held by a tab. This one has a stud closure; generally they're seen with press-buttons/snaps. Note that the cantle now lacks a rear plate.

**OC Richard** · 26th November 21, 04:34 AM

On Etsy. If it has a maker's stamp I don't see it. But it appears to be vintage 40's 50's Forsyth-style

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1127700...search_click=1

**OC Richard** · 28th November 21, 04:38 AM

Here's a modern sealskin "Prince Charlie" style Evening sporran, opening bid around $40 including shipping, no bids.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22471435586...ndition=4%7C10

**figheadair** · 28th November 21, 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Here's a modern sealskin "Prince Charlie" style Evening sporran, opening bid around $40 including shipping, no bids.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22471435586...ndition=4%7C10

Someone grabbed a bargin.

**OC Richard** · 29th November 21, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Someone grabbed a bargin.

Kudos to them! May they wear it well.

**JPS** · 30th November 21, 11:57 AM

On Etsy, here's a nice, simple brown day sporran, with floral stamping on the flap, complete with sporran chain and gold "Made in Scotland" stamp.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1130464...ntage-scottish

**OC Richard** · 3rd December 21, 07:51 AM

Thanks! That's a great bargain.

The style's called BF in these catalogues. It has the raised & padded flap I associate with Forsyth, but it's not Forsyth.

You see them with the 5-petal flowers, with the bullseyes, and with tiny thistles.

**JPS** · 3rd December 21, 08:35 AM

Here are a couple more very nice, simple, brown day sporrans at bargain prices from a reputable Etsy shop. They both have stud closures and included chain belts.

They appear to correspond with STM and A2D in Richard's post above. I'd grab one of these quick if you're in need.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1132653...r-kilt-sporran

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1132653...r-kilt-sporran