Project Blog - Historic Sporrans / Brass Cantle Project

[Ryan Ross]

I wish it were the case. They simply don't exist. Give it a web search.

Appropriately sized brass turnings are barely available. The place I linked to on the first page has cut their stock offerings by a bit and also has $100 minimum order for STOCK parts.

Real silver ones do NOT exist. Apart from making them, my only other option is a jeweler. By the time I pay a jeweler to make them, I could afford the lathe AND the silver, still have the lathe for future work, and re-melt all the machined off silver for future use. As an additional benefit I can make things specifically to a commissioner's request.

In essence this situation is this entire project in miniature. It is simply something that doesn't exist, so I'm forced to make them.

My wife has already been advised

ith:

Hahaha- I'm just kidding you, Scott. You're just one of those rare folks who seems to be able to do everything... and honestly, I might be slightly jealous.

I imagine you'll have yourself some fun with a jewler's lathe, anyway. Like all of us folks, I'm certain you love getting new toys and making stuff with said toys. In your case, RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME stuff.

[artificer]

The cantle and bag are complete. I'm finishing up the belt and strap today.


The stitching visible on the back is from the commissioner's requested internal storage pockets.

One interesting thing I learned in the researching brass work (found it on a clockmaker/repair forum) is that it is physically impossible to polish brass or other "factory metals" to a true mirror finish.

For that to be achieved the metal must be sanded, copper plated, then brass plated over the top.

As an aside, it is very, very strange to not have touched this piece since the polishing. It's very alien to have to wear gloves all the time when working.

ith:

[NeightRG]

Yummy... As if I didn't already have enough thing to save up for.
What's the finished weight on a bag like this?

[artificer]

Yummy... As if I didn't already have enough thing to save up for.
What's the finished weight on a bag like this?

15oz with a quite sturdy cowhide and several internal pockets. Switching to Elk or pigskin would shave an ounce or two.

ith:

[ShaunMaxwell]

Beautiful! No one could tell at a glance that it wasn't an antique cantle, but it's destined to be an heirloom. Thanks for sharing another outstanding piece.

SM

[Downunder Kilt]

Brilliant Scott. Hopefully the commissioner is a fellow XMarker as I am most interested to see the locking mechanism on this beauty. Another magnificent creation mate.

[NeightRG]

15oz with a quite sturdy cowhide and several internal pockets. Switching to Elk or pigskin would shave an ounce or two.

Less than a pound? Not nearly as much as I guessed by looking at it.

[Ryan Ross]

Yep, that's the Real Deal alright. Brilliant work, Scott.

[artificer]

Beautiful! No one could tell at a glance that it wasn't an antique cantle, but it's destined to be an heirloom. Thanks for sharing another outstanding piece.

SM

That's my hope. "Sporrans your Grandchildren will fight over" Maybe that will be my new catch phrase.

Brilliant Scott. Hopefully the commissioner is a fellow XMarker as I am most interested to see the locking mechanism on this beauty. Another magnificent creation mate.

As far as I know he's not a member here. I'll send you a pic of the mechanism. It's a fairly standard pull release.

Yep, that's the Real Deal alright. Brilliant work, Scott.

Thank you, good sir!

Less than a pound? Not nearly as much as I guessed by looking at it.

I think it's the rectilinear shape that gives it a touch more visual weight than the arced "Culloden" style brass cantle sporrans. The metal is similar in gauge to the ex-MoD cantles, with a touch extra thickness on the front and rear faces, exactly the same on the rim.

In fact, I just weighed my ex-MoD sporran, and there is only 2oz difference. Since the leather on my MoD bag is about half the thickness on this one (and this one has internal pockets), the cantles are probably only ~1oz different in weight on their own.

I've got some quite exciting things coming down the pipe soon, so stay tuned for more brass cantle sporran (and perhaps other, more precious metals...) and more MacLeay sporran-y goodness.

ith:

[English Bloke]

That's a beaut Scott! Any chance of a peek inside??