Unusual Gordon Highlanders' sporran

**figheadair** · 20th August 13, 06:22 AM

Found this 92nd Highlanders sporran on the National Army Website today.

Unlike any military sporran I've seen before - interesting. If it's instribed Waterloo (1815) I wonder if in fact it was a civilian sporran inspired by his military one?

**plaid preacher** · 20th August 13, 06:40 AM

At a quick glance I want to say one word: Scissors! It looks like someone took their regimental sporran to the barber for a bit of a trim... cutting the horse hair at the bottom of the bag. Personally I can't figure out why you would do that. Perhaps it was well-worn and the hair had thinned to the point that the owner thought it might look better with a trim. Best explanation I can come up with; but can't wait to see what others have to say.

**Chas** · 20th August 13, 06:45 AM

It looks to be in surprisingly good condition for being 200 years old!

**creagdhubh** · 20th August 13, 08:10 AM

Wow! That's very unusual. Thanks for sharing , Peter.

**Tartan Tess** · 20th August 13, 08:29 AM

I like this sporran.
It seems more compact and out of the way than the long horsehair.

**artificer** · 20th August 13, 08:35 AM

It doesn't LOOK like horsehair in the traditional sense, it looks like hair-on HIDE (rather than hair that has been sewn in place).

I've seen something similar (not identical) in a painting... let me dig through my files to see if I can pull it up again.

ith:

EDIT:

I haven't found the painting yet, but oddly enough I did just stumble across this on ebay- showing a Gordon's Officer with what appears to be an identical piece.

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**creagdhubh** · 20th August 13, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

It doesn't LOOK like horsehair in the traditional sense, it looks like hair-on HIDE (rather than hair that has been sewn in place).

I've seen something similar (not identical) in a painting... let me dig through my files to see if I can pull it up again.

ith:

EDIT:

I haven't found the painting yet, but oddly enough I did just stumble across this on ebay- showing a Gordon's Officer with what appears to be an identical piece.

Wow! It sure is, Scott.

**artificer** · 20th August 13, 11:43 AM

I still haven't found the particular painting I'm looking for (I've got some rather large folders)

But I did locate a few more images that verify the basic style across multiple Highland Regiments

From a wargaming site, a 42nd Reg (Black Watch) :

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Another 42nd Officer:

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on eBay this bookplate shows an officer with a metal cantle, but the OR on the right has a sporran with a similar design to the one posted by figheadair. Both from the 84th.

a painting from the Battle of Waterloo showing similar sporrans worn

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from Wikipedia, a painting showing the Battle of Quartre Bras, note the Black Watch officer in the center with the raised arm. He appears to be wearing a similar sporran.

ith:

**figheadair** · 20th August 13, 11:43 AM

Well there you go and what a coincidence. If that wasn't coincidence enough have a look at this which is possible the portrait mentioned. It appears that that was the 92nd sporran style in the early 1800s and so possibly, probably?, the original style for the regiment.

**creagdhubh** · 20th August 13, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Well there you go and what a coincidence. If that wasn't coincidence enough have a look at this which is possible the portrait mentioned. It appears that that was the 92nd sporran style in the early 1800s and so possibly, probably?, the original style for the regiment.

Very intriguing!