Quality Sporrans for less money

**OC Richard** · 15th November 24, 07:28 AM

Gorgeous brown leather and seal Day sporran, almost certainly by Nicoll Brothers (who sometimes just stamped their sporrans "Made in Scotland") and here in the USA so no import issues

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205106060126

**Troglodyte** · 16th November 24, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Gorgeous brown leather and seal Day sporran, almost certainly by Nicoll Brothers (who sometimes just stamped their sporrans "Made in Scotland") and here in the USA so no import issues

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205106060126

A fine example, is that.

And the chain-strap appears to be nickel-silver diamond-cut curb-chain with now-rare Albert clips. Which is a bonus.

**OC Richard** · 16th November 24, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Troglodyte

A fine example, is that.

And the chain-strap appears to be nickel-silver diamond-cut curb-chain with now-rare Albert clips. Which is a bonus.

Good eye, I have an old chain-strap like that. I didn't know the terminology.

**Troglodyte** · 17th November 24, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Good eye, I have an old chain-strap like that. I didn't know the terminology.

I have a few as well...

The 'diamond cut' finish removes the rounding from the links' shoulders, and so makes the chain lie flatter against the kilt. The links often seem to be closer to each other, too, which adds a kind of 'superior finish' to the chain-straps I feel.

I have managed to find supplies of these old chain and clip styles in solid brass, and have replicated the 'vintage' look with new-made chain-straps. Being non-lacquered, the brass quickly takes on a pleasing patina that goes very well with old leather sporrans.

**Padraicog** · 17th November 24, 02:37 AM

Troglodyte

Do you have details of the supplier of the diamond-cut brass chains?

**Troglodyte** · 18th November 24, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by Padraicog

Troglodyte

Do you have details of the supplier of the diamond-cut brass chains?

I should still have it in the file somewhere...

I'll check.

I remember it was a manufaturer/trade-supplier, and that it was astonishingly expensive for what it is, but excellent quality and finish. On a par with ready-made jewelery chain.

I made a dozen chain-straps, and they turned out like this...

DSCF7096.jpg

... which I think make a good partnering with vintage brass-trimmed sporrans.

Most commercialy available 'brass' chain-straps seem to be 'brass effect' plating, and not the solid metal - which is understandable when the raw chain is so expensive. The plating soon wears off, and the white base metal is revealed - not so with the solid brass chains.

**Troglodyte** · 23rd November 24, 01:56 AM

This might appeal to a few here -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176696114853

There are no prizes for guessing the maker, and it might be worth a punt if you can live with the lazer-etched lettering on the rear panel.

**RGM1** · 26th November 24, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Troglodyte

A fine example, is that.

And the chain-strap appears to be nickel-silver diamond-cut curb-chain with now-rare Albert clips. Which is a bonus.

I won the bid on this piece, especially liked the chain and hooks, may replace the leather strap. Any recommendations on how to do that?

**Troglodyte** · 26th November 24, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by RGM1

I won the bid on this piece, especially liked the chain and hooks, may replace the leather strap. Any recommendations on how to do that?

Well done..!

Replacing the leathers on the chain-strap is an easy business.

The trickiest thing is to find suitable leather, but suppliers like Tandy in the USA are a good sourse. They will also have the necessary punches, needes and thread for stitching in case you want to replicate the strap as it is, and saddle-stitch the parts, or they will have the rivets if you want the easier option.

Taking the strap to the shop for them to see the job in hand would be useful, and the sporran itself, too, as you may be lucky and get a near match for the brown leather.

Either way, I would recommend paring (skiving) the ends of the straps to virtually nothing, and glueing down the turned ends before stitching or riveting. The finish is much neater and feels more refined.

**OC Richard** · 27th November 24, 08:34 AM

Troglodyte gave you the proper way to do it.

I, on the other hand, take the lazy way and use Chicago screws.

I bought one of those tools which cuts a neat scribe line along the edge, it really upgrades the look.

And I recently got a tool that simulates a stitched border, you just roll it down in the scribe line. (Cheater!)

In any case the top belt is one I quickly made with leather strap and Chicago screws. I did scribe lines but I didn't have the faux-stitched-border tool at that time.

I have a few sporran straps I've done the same way.