Is this sporran is what it says it is?

**dutchy kilted** · 18th January 13, 07:51 AM

Hi all,

I saw this on eBay and kind of liked it, but it seems to look a little too new and in good shape to be from WWI. Can anyone with more experience tell me if this is legit?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW1-Canadian...item2ec57040e4

**Laird_M** · 18th January 13, 09:18 AM

Looking at it, and having one of similar vintage, it does look fairly authentic to me, but its quite easy to 'antique' leather...leave in a damp location to mildew and then use saddle cream to darken the damaged areas. I've done that for re-enactment purposes.

**Chas** · 18th January 13, 09:36 AM

I don't think that this is genuine. I could be wrong, but when I was in the RAF (1970 - 1982), everything, and I mean everything, had the 'Broad Arrow' mark on it. I cannot see one on this sporran. It wasn't till the mid 80s when they stopped doing that.

Regards

Chas

**Tobus** · 18th January 13, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

I don't think that this is genuine. I could be wrong, but when I was in the RAF (1970 - 1982), everything, and I mean everything, had the 'Broad Arrow' mark on it. I cannot see one on this sporran. It wasn't till the mid 80s when they stopped doing that.

Regards

Chas

Would that have been on Canadian gear as well?

Personally, I don't think this is authentic. I don't know much about details of former military sporrans, but I am just looking at the condition of the leather and the style/condition of the stitching. And it is not typical of something from the WWI era. It looks much, much younger.

**Chas** · 18th January 13, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Would that have been on Canadian gear as well?

Personally, I don't think this is authentic. I don't know much about details of former military sporrans, but I am just looking at the condition of the leather and the style/condition of the stitching. And it is not typical of something from the WWI era. It looks much, much younger.

I honestly don't know, but even if it was a Canadian issue, it still should have been a WD supply.

I have another issue with it. In the close-up, the follicle marks look like pigskin, whereas, I thought that military sporrans of that time were either hair or bovine.

Regards

Chas

**artificer** · 19th January 13, 11:40 AM

I'm no expert on Canadian issue sporrans, but if this were in service I'd expect to see a bit of wear on the keeper and some wear in the area on the back panel where a sporran strap would rub against it.

It could be an officer's piece that didn't get a lot of use. It might have been purchased and then made redundant by a khaki apron, so it wasn't much used.

If it were me, and I were serious about it, I'd enquire with the seller to see if there is a name on the inside of the flap (which might help authenticate it, although that could be forged as well).

For the price it's currently at, it's a lovely sporran, with or without the WWI connection.

ith:

**Chas** · 18th January 13, 09:41 AM

This is what I mean by Broad Arrow -

We used to laugh about it being printed on every sheet of toilet paper, along with GOVERNMENT ISSUE.

Regards

Chas

**dutchy kilted** · 18th January 13, 10:03 AM

I have seen the Broad Arrow on British Revolutionary War reenacting gear but never knew its significance before. Thanks!

**azwildcat96** · 18th January 13, 11:35 AM

Looks eerily similar to the one I bought from a reproduction company...$20 from Pakistan. Only difference was mine didn't have a metal badge on the front. Cheap, and durable for the price. No complaints. Works well with brown sandals, for a casual/comfortable look/feel.