Quality Sporrans for less money

**OC Richard** · 13th September 25, 01:28 PM

Lovely older seal sporran here in the USA, probably WE Scott pre-1953.

It's the older style where the cantle has a backplate and there's a pocket in back.

Opening bid $20

https://www.ebay.com/itm/37654537843...102140.m167418

**OC Richard** · 18th September 25, 02:45 PM

WE Scott "semi dress" sporran, bovine or pony fur, in the US $43.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25703951894...Bk9SR9ySg-yrZg

When the ban on importing sealskin into the US happened (1972) WE Scott quickly introduced a line of export sporrans specifically for the US market using "bovine" and "pony" fur.

**MacKenzie** · 20th September 25, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Lovely older seal sporran here in the USA, probably WE Scott pre-1953.

It's the older style where the cantle has a backplate and there's a pocket in back.

Opening bid $20

https://www.ebay.com/itm/37654537843...102140.m167418

I opened the bidding on this one. Making a new strap would be no problem and I figured I could "restore" the cantle with some elbow grease.

Of course I was soon outbid. I checked yesterday at 6pm (the final hour) and the bid was at $31. I was getting ready to go to the wire, but I looked over the pics again, zooming in as much as possible. That's when I spotted the bald spot. I can't fix that.

**User** · 20th September 25, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by MacKenzie

...I figured I could "restore" the cantle with some elbow grease.
...
That's when I spotted the bald spot. I can't fix that.

The hair is in rough shape. Besides the large bald spot, there are several smaller patches of missing hair. But the cantle is gorgeous, and some people are fond of that style of chain.
I almost bid myself, but I already have a similar cantle, minus the very fine details.
Congratulations to the winner. I hope it cleans up well. It's lovely!

**MacKenzie** · 20th September 25, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by User

But the cantle is gorgeous, and some people are fond of that style of chain.

Yeah. In retrospect, the cantle and chain are probably worth $31.

**OC Richard** · 21st September 25, 06:06 AM

Think what a cantle like that would cost to have made nowadays, if anyone would do it.

Those probably haven't been in production since the 1950s due to the WE Scott 1953 patent and they and other makers going to the opening-top style.

**geomick** · 21st September 25, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by MacKenzie

Yeah. In retrospect, the cantle and chain are probably worth $31.

I hope so. Will find out when it arrives.

**OC Richard** · 22nd September 25, 12:34 PM

Here's a sporran listed as "Edwardian" but as we see it bears the 1953 Patent stamp.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20574028157...Bk9SR4D0q66uZg

**Troglodyte** · 23rd September 25, 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Here's a sporran listed as "Edwardian" but as we see it bears the 1953 Patent stamp.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20574028157...Bk9SR4D0q66uZg

Curious, this.

The Edwardian era was only a nine-year stint at the start of last century, to be replaced with yet another Georgian period followed by the Elizabethan era we have only just come out of.

Unless you know exactly what you are selling when it comes to wording the listing, it is much safer to say 'mid-20th century' as that would catch everything from about 1930 to 1970.

I'm pretty sure this seller is aware of what they have, being a near-mint early Scott-patent sporran with its original chain-strap and packaging, and with a relatively high start price - but one well-worth paying in my view. Some lucky buyer is due to win a collector's item, I reckon...

**geomick** · 27th September 25, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by MacKenzie

Yeah. In retrospect, the cantle and chain are probably worth $31.

I think the cantle and chain were worth the price. The leather of the strap will be completely replaced (easy enough for me to do). The back face and pocket need a cleaning, but the leather should be re-usable.

The front face is suffering from a severe case of Sporran Pattern Baldness, so it will need to be removed and replaced with some other type of pelt. Rabbit is easily available and fox (and skunk, badger, beaver and coyote) can be found at my favorite online vendor for Mountain Man re-enacting and Native American supplies. Need to study how the edge piece is put on, since I haven't worked with furs before.

Tested a polishing cloth on the cantle and I think it should mostly clean up with a little effort. Only concern is the center circle, that may have corrosion which broke thru the plating. Need to test a few solvents (mainly acetone and isopropanol) to see if it is just a gum buildup.

The tassels are in rough shape. One fell off while in transit. Should be able to re-use the metal "bells" and the chains.