X Marks the Scot - An on-line community of kilt wearers.

   X Marks Partners - (Go to the Partners Dedicated Forums )
USA Kilts website Celtic Croft website Celtic Corner website Houston Kiltmakers

User Tag List

Results 1 to 10 of 58

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    2nd July 08
    Location
    Port Washington, NY
    Posts
    855
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Woodsheal View Post
    Sounds like you've covered all the bases. The "cup-and-ring" stamping/engraving seems to be the most frequently occuring decorative motif on period sporrans. Here are some images I've saved:











    And this guy reproduces some of the stepped type cantles you mention:

    http://www.ncmilne.co.uk/sporrans/sporrans.html
    I would love to find out how the metal for the cantle is formed into the semi circle with three sides, i.e. a front surface, a back surface and a top. Can the metal be formed that way on a press, or must it be poured into a form? Can you get that info from your metal working friend? Inquiring minds want to know!
    "Before two notes of the theme were played, Colin knew it was Patrick Mor MacCrimmon's 'Lament for the Children'...Sad seven times--ah, Patrick MacCrimmon of the seven dead sons....'It's a hard tune, that', said old Angus. Hard on the piper; hard on them all; hard on the world." Butcher's Broom, by Neil Gunn, 1994 Walker & Co, NY, p. 397-8.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    17th December 07
    Location
    Staunton, Va
    Posts
    4,948
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by BobsYourUncle View Post
    I would love to find out how the metal for the cantle is formed into the semi circle with three sides, i.e. a front surface, a back surface and a top. Can the metal be formed that way on a press, or must it be poured into a form? Can you get that info from your metal working friend? Inquiring minds want to know!
    The cantle on my sporran is made from strips soldered together.
    Last edited by MacMillan of Rathdown; 25th August 10 at 06:35 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    2nd July 08
    Location
    Port Washington, NY
    Posts
    855
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown View Post
    The cantle on my sporran is made from strips soldered together.
    Understood. However, I have several military sporrans [MoD] in which the cantle seems to be a single piece of metal, unless I am missing something...The brass cantle in the middle of Woodsheal's set of photos likewise does not seem to have the kind of seams I would expect when strips are soldered together. Hence my puzzlement as to how it they were formed...
    "Before two notes of the theme were played, Colin knew it was Patrick Mor MacCrimmon's 'Lament for the Children'...Sad seven times--ah, Patrick MacCrimmon of the seven dead sons....'It's a hard tune, that', said old Angus. Hard on the piper; hard on them all; hard on the world." Butcher's Broom, by Neil Gunn, 1994 Walker & Co, NY, p. 397-8.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    3rd March 10
    Location
    43*N 88*W
    Posts
    3,844
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by BobsYourUncle View Post
    I would love to find out how the metal for the cantle is formed into the semi circle with three sides, i.e. a front surface, a back surface and a top.
    In most cases, the front of the cantle is only two visible sides; the front face and semi-circular top. The back 'face' is a separate piece that hinges down at the bottom where the lowest knob is (assuming there is a knob there, some lack them).

  5. #5
    Join Date
    2nd January 10
    Location
    Lethendy, Perthshire
    Posts
    4,764
    Mentioned
    17 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    We have one in the family that's first half C18th with a sand cast bronze cantle as opposed to brass. Very nice. Will see if I can lay my hands on it and post a couple of pics.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    3rd March 10
    Location
    43*N 88*W
    Posts
    3,844
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by figheadair View Post
    We have one in the family that's first half C18th with a sand cast bronze cantle as opposed to brass. Very nice. Will see if I can lay my hands on it and post a couple of pics.
    I would love to see it if you could arrange that.

    Do you know if it's original finish was bronze, or if there was a silver plating done to it?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    2nd January 10
    Location
    Lethendy, Perthshire
    Posts
    4,764
    Mentioned
    17 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by artificer View Post
    I would love to see it if you could arrange that.

    Do you know if it's original finish was bronze, or if there was a silver plating done to it?
    Should be able to get some pics in the next week. Wait out

  8. #8
    Join Date
    2nd January 10
    Location
    Lethendy, Perthshire
    Posts
    4,764
    Mentioned
    17 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by artificer View Post
    I would love to see it if you could arrange that.

    Do you know if it's original finish was bronze, or if there was a silver plating done to it?
    Here are some pics. No evidence of there ever being silver plating.







    Last edited by figheadair; 29th August 10 at 08:14 AM. Reason: More images

  9. #9
    Join Date
    3rd March 10
    Location
    43*N 88*W
    Posts
    3,844
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    WOW!
    Thank you for getting the piece and taking time to put up these wonderful shots!

    What a beautiful piece. I love how much variety there was in these pieces. It kind of makes me sad that today so much of the kilting world never sees these.

    Congratulations to you and yours for having managed to keep such a treasure in the family.

  10. #10
    MacBean is offline Oops, it seems this member needs to update their email address
    Join Date
    21st October 09
    Location
    Valley Forge, PA (USA)
    Posts
    820
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    [QUOTE=figheadair;907327]Here are some pics. No evidence of there ever being silver plating.

    This is a truly useful, and substantial offering, for which you are due many thanks. It settles a question I've had for a while now: that style of ornamentation, quite common once, was constructed, not cast. It is obvious here in the different colors of metal between the engraved cantle and the round blobs. It also shows more detail on the catch, which is nice. Perhaps not so different to make after all.

Similar Threads

  1. New to kilting and in need of guidance..
    By Danwell in forum Kilt Advice
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 2nd April 10, 06:17 AM
  2. Brass Cantled Sporran
    By McMurdo in forum How to Accessorize your Kilt
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 11th December 08, 12:58 PM
  3. Brass Cantle 18th Century Sporrans
    By castledangerous in forum How to Accessorize your Kilt
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 22nd November 08, 09:05 PM
  4. Brass sporran?
    By robthehiker in forum How to Accessorize your Kilt
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 14th May 08, 08:05 AM
  5. Looking For Some Kilt Guidance
    By DamnthePants in forum Kilt Advice
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 24th April 07, 03:38 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» Log in

User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.0