Antique 18th - 19th Century Hinged Brass Cantle Sporran

What started out as a restoration project, it has now become available for purchase and rehoming. The brass cantle has a cast bronze hinged cantle with Celtic knot work design. Below the Celtic knot design it is engraved with the date of 1692. The top twist knob opens a classic spring steel internal catch. When twisted down it locks the catch.

The original pouch has a pebble grain black leather front with two tassels. The back is a smooth leather with a set of small slits that at some point in the past has been used for a leather strap instead on a hanging chain. Wonderful original true antique sporran.

The restoration work was to remake a matching side knob in brass and restore two new brass hanging loops at the back that had been lost over time. The original aged leather pouch as dry, so we have fed and restored the leather. We would suggest although the sporran can be worn on special occasions it should really become part of a true Scottish Highland collection and treated with care so it lasts a few more hundred years.

Size 18cm x 23cm

Why the date 1692?

The 1692 dated does not relate to the actual date of the sporran, which is thought to be from the late 18th early 19th century. It is thought to relate to the memory in the clan history of the MacIains - MacDonalds of Glencoe and the infamous Massacre of Glencoe, ( February 13, 1692 ).

With some careful restoration of the cantle underway we started on the restoration of the original leather pouch. The grain leather was desperate for some food. Over a period of weeks the leather was fed and restored.

With the restoration completed the sporran parts were put back together and this wonderfully historic sporran was restored to some of its former glory. With a replacement side knob to match the other original and new back hanging loops that had been lost over the last two centuries. The pebble grain leather has been fed to restore some of its flexibility.

It’s full history we will sadly never know, but we are sure it would have a story or two to tell.

Classic Sporran Style

Our range of fine quality Scottish sporrans are hand made in Scotland, including a range of traditional Jacobite style sporrans, dress sporrans and Victorian Highland Revival style goat hair sporrans.

All the skins, hair and furs used for making our sporrans are ethically sourced.

Sporrans for Gentlemen, Rebels and Rogues - Look to the past for inspiration, but never living in it.