Quality Sporrans for less money

[FossilHunter]

https://www.highlandstore.com/shop/k...-chrome-cantle

This company sells sporrans with the same sticker, and style choices. If you need more info on where they get their stock, drop them a line.

Frank

I wonder what makes Greenland seal so special that they advertise it on the sporran?

[Highland Logan]

I wonder what makes Greenland seal so special that they advertise it on the sporran?

Also known as the harp seal in Canada. The scientific name from Latin translates as "ice lover from Greenland" and the taxon translates as "Greenlandic Seal".

Beyond that, I suppose it's no different than one type of pelt is considered more traditional, and therefore more sought after than another.

Seal is very soft, but was never on my must-have short list.

Frank

[imbrius]

I wonder what makes Greenland seal so special that they advertise it on the sporran?

Not sure about the advertising but it sure helps those of us in the 'states since that particular species is protected here, meaning you can't import anything containing it.

[Bad Monkey]

Not sure about the advertising but it sure helps those of us in the 'states since that particular species is protected here, meaning you can't import anything containing it.

funny thing; last April I picked up an old Argyll off of Etsy. The seller dropped in a used sporran in as well as a bonus (She was a real peach, nicest seller I've ever dealt with). Imagine my surprise when I opened up the package and found a seal skin sporran in the middle of the jacket. I guess those customs inspectors don't look too close at the small value packages coming in to the States.
I wouldn't count on it, though.

[OC Richard]

Yes you never know! Customs can be random. I knew the owners of a Highland Outfitter here in the USA, who had kilts sporrans etc coming from the UK all the time, and they told me it was utterly random. Not only in which packages were stopped and which let through, but also in the sort of Duty applied to the same item.

In any case, here's a Made In Scotland stamped fox fur Evening Dress sporran in great condition for $60

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Scottish-Fo...temCondition=4

Made In Scotland "Day" sporran with seal front for around $50 including shipping

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Scottish-Ge...temCondition=4

And for something different, here's is quite a bargain if you want a long horsehair sporran, a genuine MOD long white horsehair sporran for $50. It's missing the cantle; you can pop on whatever cantle you want, they're usually interchangeable. (I have one cantle I really like and two different bodies I put in on.)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Bri...temCondition=4

[Highwayman]

Very glad I found this thread! Been risking it with a black day sporran for years at a higher end ball each year, realizing now the hiccup I've made. The seal warning is also valuable as I'm in the USA. Any ideal search phrases to use?

[Highland Logan]

Very glad I found this thread! Been risking it with a black day sporran for years at a higher end ball each year, realizing now the hiccup I've made. The seal warning is also valuable as I'm in the USA. Any ideal search phrases to use?

I assume you're looking for an evening sporran? Just use that. But you can narrow it down by type further. What type of fur or hair? What style of cantle? Vintage, new, new custom in a vintage style? And not least of which, upper price limit. Post a photo of what you would like, and I or others will help you with some search terms, links or shops to check.

Merry Christmas

Frank

[Karl R]

Any ideal search phrases to use?

I'm not sure about "ideal" phrases. I did a quick Google search on "fur dress sporran" and generally got the right kind of sporrans. On eBay, I'll filter for all the used sporrans worldwide. It's usually about one page of results. I can skim the photos and see whether there's anything that matches what I'm interested in.

When it comes to fur, I would avoid rabbit fur, because it sheds very easily. (I believe fox is not particularly durable either.) If you want a sporran with short, sleek fur, bovine fur is a good (and traditional) option. It's also cheaper than most alternatives. For longer, fuzzier fur options, you might want to look at musquash (muskrat), coyote, or nutria. Musquash is quite traditional.

[MacRobert's Reply]

The 'traditional' furs tend to include seal, otter and beaver that all have the sheen of aquatic animals. Used sporrans in these furs, especially seal, with silver-plated cantles are still readily available in Scotland at £60 to £100 but importation is the issue in spite of their age. From the 1950s they generally open at the cantle. Before that they generally open at the back.