Never worn vintage sporrans

[Troglodyte]

It seems as if Fate has has seen my recent post...

And has come to the conclusion that I like such things, for she has sent another my way. Kind of her, huh..?

This one, too, seems to have no great age - my guess is that it has been made in the past 30 years - but has a fair amount of 'vintage style' about it.

Frustratingly, there is no maker's mark, but there are a few hints - such as the rear strap-tab and under-flap press-stud tab being identical to known Nicoll Bros' sporrans.

The gusset is the same bulging structure and style as that on a sporran from about 90 years ago, and has a similar applique pinked-and-pierced panel on the front and flap.

The sporran also has a matching leather-lined and stitched chain-strap with a nice quality chrome-plated curb-chain - but it's a pity the chain is not brass to match the stud-work.

So who is the maker..?

Could it be a 'white label' job from Nicolls, or mayby Margaret Morrison after they had taken on Nicoll's old patterns and cutting tools?

Not that it really matters, as the sporran clearly falls into the 'superior' category, and must have been quite expensive to buy new.

[Troglodyte]

I put the question to Margaret Morrison, as they took over Nicolls' sporran business, and still use some of the equipment and tooling.

Here's what the ever-helpful Kimberley kindly responded -

It definitely looks like a Nicoll Bros one as it's our embossing plate on the body and lid of the sporran, and the latch knife is the same, but it seems odd that they never put their makers mark on the back. My only assumption is that the leather doesn’t take well to an embossing or gold embossing or it was one that made as a sample?

We still have these patterns https://houseoflabhran.com/vintage-b...igskin-sporran.

It looks fairly new as the button hasn’t corroded and I can't see the metal underneath so I would say you were right in saying that it was made in the last 30 years or so,

So now what do we all think..?

[AndrewJohn]

They were made to be worn, so please do give them an occasional airing. As a regular kilt wearer myself I feel rather inadequate as I only own two sporrans!! I will however start looking in antique shop windows, though I might not find many in France!! ;-)

[Troglodyte]

They were made to be worn, so please do give them an occasional airing. As a regular kilt wearer myself I feel rather inadequate as I only own two sporrans!! I will however start looking in antique shop windows, though I might not find many in France!! ;-)

Exactly..!

Which is why I am surprised there are so many unworn vintage sporrans waiting to be put into service.

You're right. France is not the best hunting ground for old sporrans, but if ever you visit Scotland, never pass a charity-shop, or antique-shop without looking inside. You could get very lucky.