Project Blog - Historic Sporrans / Brass Cantle Project

[Cygnus]

As a huge fan of historic sporrans (especially the goat-hair variety), I will be watching your progress with great interest.

Given your previous works, I imagine the final product will be something incredible!

Good luck!

[artificer]

Wow what a project, in fact 2 projects. If you need any further photos of closing mechanisms for the brass cantle ones give me a shout and I'll see what I got. BTW love that you appear to be going for the lacing attachment method of the bag

Will do, although I think I have that sussed. I actually MAY do the 'trick release' latch on one of them... Slide one knob to the side and only THEN can the top button be lifted.

I really like the laced attachment too. You are reading the black dots correctly, they are holes for the leather thong to go through.

As a huge fan of historic sporrans (especially the goat-hair variety), I will be watching your progress with great interest.

Given your previous works, I imagine the final product will be something incredible!

Good luck!

Thanks!

Here is a small collage of the initial selection.


A-Brown, Archibald
B-Campbell (of the Campbell & Campbell image)
C-Morgan, James
D-MacDougall
E-Robertson (of the Robertson & Stewart image)
F- Stewart (of same)
G- Stewart

I'll most likely attempt 'F' first, as it matches the materials I have in hand, but 'A' is my second choice- as I really like the pinked red trim between the cantle and hair

[MacBean]

I would be most surprised if the original cantles were sand-cast. They look to me to be constructed (jeweler's term for saw and solder work as opposed to casting). So I think you are making yourself a bigger hurdle than you need to here.

Just a thought: I've wondered if modern attachment schemes might be brought to bear on the leather work, so that one could swap a hair sporran for a leather one on the same cantle? Velcro?

[artificer]

I would be most surprised if the original cantles were sand-cast. They look to me to be constructed (jeweler's term for saw and solder work as opposed to casting). So I think you are making yourself a bigger hurdle than you need to here.

Just a thought: I've wondered if modern attachment schemes might be brought to bear on the leather work, so that one could swap a hair sporran for a leather one on the same cantle? Velcro?

The original construction varied. Many that we've seen pictured here and elsewhere were in fact built-up, but we've definitely seen some that were sand casted.

My same metal worker pal can do the cut&solder method, but sand casting allows for quicker, less intensive production after the initial masters are made.

We're still exploring both options, but leaning toward sand casting. This is especially true for a very ornate Victorian design which would otherwise have to be produced using repousse' and chasing.

As to the 'quick change' bag idea, it's intriguing, even tempting. I think that I'd rather stay true to the originals rather than risk compromising the design and construction.

[artificer]

Quick update,
I found a good supplier of turned brass knobs and finials.



Most are available in several suitable sizes, so I'll be spoiled for choice.
I'm particularly excited about the 1/2 dome. As this will allow for
some very cool options like the 'trick lock' figheadair has shown HERE.

ith:

[hylander]

Quick update,
I found a good supplier of turned brass knobs and finials.

ith:

Care to share your find?

[MacBean]

Care to share your find?

I'm curious about this too. I did search for "brass turnings balls caps knobs and finials" and came up with some similar, but not this one. What about this? http://www.libertybrass.com/

I do agree that the slide mechanism may be nicer than a pull or push (and that one doesn't want much of a knob for this or else it may catch and release accidentally).