WHAT IS A SPORRAN CANTLE?

The CANTLE on a sporran (worn with a kilt) is generally that metal part that adorns the top rim of the face of particularly ‘dress’ or formal sporrans and long horse hair or similar sporrans. These can be very ornate or rather plain and are often personalised with the inclusion of a heraldic coat of arms, clan crest, regimental or pipe band cap badge and the like.

There’s an infinite variety of cantles and the detailing on these tend to have significant roots in the icons of Scotland (rampant lion, thistle, saltire) or perhaps in Celtic knotwork drawn from mythology. Many cantles have military regiment or clan-specific themes.

Metals used vary from highly decorative once-off Sterling silver cantles crafted by silversmiths, through higher volume-produced stamp-cutting or casting in brass and other alloys, plated in various ways (most often silver, nickel silver and chrome) and of course brass. There are still a few skilled artisans who craft bespoke cantles on order.

Generally, cantles are nowadays fastened by means of carefully positioned threaded machine screws of bolts already braised, soldered on the back of the cantle and fastened by means of nuts and washers inside the unit.

Cantles occasionally have a punched back plate inside the front face of the sporran to assist with fastening and may have a simple hinge mechanism to integrate it more fully – and rigidly – with the back panel on the unit.  With long hair sporrans, the cantle is generally fastened with bolts or pins right through the entire unit, as these mostly don’t ‘open’ to have an inside pouch.