Quality Sporrans for less money

[OC Richard]

Here's a classic basic brown leather Day sporran, from the looks of it Scottish-made, though lacking stamps.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30400018652...ndition=4%7C10

Odd about the middle tassel. We would have to see a photo showing the inside to be sure, but I'm guessing that the tassel is the same length as the others, it's just been pushed inside.

Now here's a classic seal Evening sporran for under $50 (including shipping) with the standard Celtic/Runic silverplate cantle. It has the typical gold oval Made In Scotland Real Leather stamp.

Too bad there's damage to the fur. The price, for the cantle alone, is a bargain.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17476878686...ndition=4%7C10

[JPS]

Here's a classic basic brown leather Day sporran, from the looks of it Scottish-made, though lacking stamps.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30400018652...ndition=4%7C10

Odd about the middle tassel. We would have to see a photo showing the inside to be sure, but I'm guessing that the tassel is the same length as the others, it's just been pushed inside.

Hey, Richard, I was just looking at this sporran. There's no indication where it's made, and the seller isn't sure. You think it's Scottish made?

And it looks like the seller has added a picture where the middle tassle is extended out to its full length. Nice looking little vintage piece.

[OC Richard]

Hey, Richard, I was just looking at this sporran. There's no indication where it's made, and the seller isn't sure. You think it's Scottish made?

And it looks like the seller has added a picture where the middle tassle is extended out to its full length. Nice looking little vintage piece.

It's not 100% of course, but I've seen enough Scottish-made and Pakistani-made sporrans that I can usually distinguish between the two. There are puzzlers sometimes!

Often it's little things that give Pakistani sporrans away, perhaps the shape and/or placement of the leather tab on the back for the strap to go through, or the shape of the "bells", or the quality of the casting of the cantle (the Pakistani ones are nearly always re-casts from Scottish originals and have less detail).

In any case that one "feels right" to me.

Now here's one that doesn't feel right to me https://www.ebay.com/itm/36340442559...ndition=4%7C10

It's getting bids so it must look good to at least two people!

But I think it's Pakistani. Why? On sporrans there's usually a piece of leather under the cantle, following the shape of the cantle, sort of a gasket/liner/washer. I wish I knew the proper term.

On top-quality sporrans this liner follows the outline of the cantle closely, and traditionally has been cut with pinking shears giving a zig-zag or toothed edge.

On this Ebay sporran the liner is thin and cheap-looking, perhaps vinyl.

Also there's the shape of the bells. Traditionally they're spherical, but quite often on Pakistani sporrans the bells are slightly elongated, with flattened sides.

[JPS]

It's not 100% of course, but I've seen enough Scottish-made and Pakistani-made sporrans that I can usually distinguish between the two. There are puzzlers sometimes!

Often it's little things that give Pakistani sporrans away, perhaps the shape and/or placement of the leather tab on the back for the strap to go through, or the shape of the "bells", or the quality of the casting of the cantle (the Pakistani ones are nearly always re-casts from Scottish originals and have less detail).

In any case that one "feels right" to me.

Now here's one that doesn't feel right to me https://www.ebay.com/itm/36340442559...ndition=4%7C10

It's getting bids so it must look good to at least two people!

But I think it's Pakistani. Why? On sporrans there's usually a piece of leather under the cantle, following the shape of the cantle, sort of a gasket/liner/washer. I wish I knew the proper term.

On top-quality sporrans this liner follows the outline of the cantle closely, and traditionally has been cut with pinking shears giving a zig-zag or toothed edge.

On this Ebay sporran the liner is thin and cheap-looking, perhaps vinyl.

Also there's the shape of the bells. Traditionally they're spherical, but quite often on Pakistani sporrans the bells are slightly elongated, with flattened sides.

I see what you're saying there, and I appreciate the help in spotting the signs. I like this sporran's simple design, and--I don't know--the patina and the little flaws make it kind of charming.

And I can see what you're talking about on that dress sporran, particularly when compared with this one, which has such a prominent...umm...gasket.

[OC Richard]

Just had another look at the plain brown/ginger leather one, I'm pretty sure it's legit.

Here's another lovely one.

The fur looks like pony, or perhaps bovine. Not seal anyhow, so legal to ship to the USA.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18485877528...ndition=4%7C10

[JPS]

Just had another look at the plain brown/ginger leather one, I'm pretty sure it's legit.

Here's another lovely one.

The fur looks like pony, or perhaps bovine. Not seal anyhow, so legal to ship to the USA.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18485877528...ndition=4%7C10

I've been giving that one some serious consideration. Not sure if it's plain enough to pull duty as a first, all-purpose day sporran for me, but the price is great, and it appears to be in excellent condition.

I wonder if those sides could be made to stop bulging out.

[KennethSime]

I've been giving that one some serious consideration. Not sure if it's plain enough to pull duty as a first, all-purpose day sporran for me, but the price is great, and it appears to be in excellent condition.

I wonder if those sides could be made to stop bulging out.

I bet the bulging sides are just the result of a bad picture. For the price, you can't go wrong mate. Looks like a W.E. Scott piece to me. Also available on Heather's Etsy page, where I've bought a few nice pieces.