Making a full mask sporran

[jgcunningham]

I was at a western antiques store and saw a coyote face pelt. It had the snout and ears but was a little flattened. It had spent some time under a cowhide or two.

So how difficult would it be to resurrect it into a full mask for a sporran? It seemed very pliable but I wasn't sure if it would keep its shape once it was reformed. Would stuffing it with batting and then sealing the underside with another piece of leather help? The eyes would have to be taken care of somehow too. There was not enough pelt to make the front of the sporran, just the mask flap.

[AKScott]

Getting the face to look right is one of the biggest challenges of taxidermy. Probably the toughest. I know Taygrd fools with it a little bit, I haven't.

If the price is right, give it a try.

[Ryan Ross]

Ask Turpin. He does the best full-masks I've seen. The problem with a lot (most?) of the head-on sporrans around is that folks tend to take the taxidermy too far. Turpin can get a nice, life-like effect, while at the same time keeping the mask relatively flat.

...as soon as I'm able to swing it, I need to see if he might craft me a badger sporran w/closed eyes. Ahh...

[turpin]

IMHO, a coyote head would really be too big as a full mask sporran. You'd need an outsized bag for it to seem in proportion, and then an outsized person to fit the sporran. Unless it's a small coyote.

[Joshua]

What if you really are an oversized person? I am 6' and over 3 bills - and I've came into some coyote masks recently.

[AKScott]

What if you really are an oversized person? I am 6' and over 3 bills - and I've came into some coyote masks recently.

Well, you might be big enough to carry it off.

I would suggest making a paper cutout of how big the head is going to be, then another of how big the bag would have to be for the sum to look balanced, then pin both pieces to the front apron of your kilt and see if it looks oversized on you.