A new seconds 15in leather messenger bag. The original courier bags of the 1950s inspire our 15-inch messenger bags. Our messenger bags combine vintage style with modern functionality making them the perfect retro addition to your wardrobe.
This new bag has a debossed graphic in the centre of the bottom edge of the flap. See 5th image. 1st show a 15in bag modelled for illustrative purposes only.
- Classic day bag
- Strong double stitching and canvas lining
- Adjustable 54-inch shoulder strap
- Hidden magnetic snap fastener for easy yet secure opening/closing
- Suitable for 15'' Laptops and MacBook Pro. We strongly recommend using a 15" protective neoprene sleeve - such as those sold by Belkin.
Medium leather women's messenger bag dimensions: W38cm x H31cm x D10cm (15" x 12" x 4")
*Now updated with Brass Hardware*
What are the Features of our Messenger Bags?
Our 15-inch messenger bags are made from distressed buffalo hunter leather and due to the natural dyeing process, each bag has its own unique marks engrained into it. Our messenger bags have a stylish and sturdy construction with double stitching and tough grey canvas lining. The main compartment contains a zipped side pocket and there is an extra zipped pocket on the front, which makes organising your items, dare we say, fun. We've recently updated our bags with brass hardware that beautifully compliments the patina of our hunter leather. When we talk about modern functionality, we really mean it. We've added magnetic fasteners for an easy yet secure opening/closing, and the shoulder strap is 58", giving you flexibility on the length you want to carry it.
How you decide to use our messenger bag is up to you. They are perfectly adaptable making them great for both professional and casual events. We've designed them to fit a 15-inch laptop, and A4 documents for work or you could store your favourite book, and a journal and enjoy a coffee in the park at the weekend. Our bags have adjustable straps and are gender-neutral – like all of our pieces, they are designed for anyone who wants to use them. At Scaramanga we love a vintage aesthetic, meaning our messenger bags have been carefully reimagined with modern functionality whilst paying homage to the original courier bags of the 1950s.
Our History with Leather Bags
We started making leather bags 13 years ago. This venture began after we visited North-East India and found a beautifully worn leather satchel in a Bazaar. We loved the leather used for the bag because of the character ingrained into it. So, we began looking for local artisans to make the bags that we designed. At Scaramanga, since the beginning, we've offered our customers authentic, vintage and antique furniture. With our bags, we wanted to inject the splendour of vintage style with the modern functionality and practicality of contemporary techniques. That's why our 15-inch messenger bags encompass both.
Why Buffalo Hunter Leather?
We use buffalo hunter leather because it's a semi-vegetable tanned leather. This means it's dyed using organic materials such as bark. It's an environmentally-friendly choice compared to the harmful chemicals used to dye other leather types. Vegetable tanning is a traditional skill which takes around 40-60 days to develop. The process provides the leather with a natural aromatic smell and requires skilled craftspeople to complete it successfully. Vegetable tanning is the superior choice when it comes to the longevity of your products. Chrome-tanned leathers are treated with acrylic varnish which causes them to crack, peel and split after just a few years. In contrast, your vegetable-tanned leather bag will soften over time, meaning it develops a lovely patina as they age. Semi-vegetable tanned leathers keep the character within the hides, meaning that every bag you buy from Scaramanga has its own unique pattern to it.
History of Messenger Bags
Messenger bags, also known as courier bags, satchels and carryalls are a traditional bag design originally used by Post Office workers to carry mail. Pony Express staff, people who delivered mail on horseback, and bike couriers were some of the first people to use this style of bag. The bag was first created in the 1950s by a company called De Martini Globe Canvas which designed the bag for telephone line workers. They were functional and spacious to accommodate all of their tools needed on the job. The bags were first made of cotton and canvas and lined with a waterproof fabric. They had inside pockets to store documents and receipts and the bag was fastened with two straps. At this time, these bags were not publicly available, they were only made for specific companies. During the 1970s and 80s, bike couriers began using the De Martini messenger bags and De Martini began making messenger bags for a whole host of different companies, offering a different colour to each company which made the colour of the bag synonymous with the company. In 1984, it was a man called John Peters who enhanced the messenger bag, offering it into the fashion world. Peters' bags were made with nylon and had buckles making them extremely stylish and practical and available for everyone.
Want to make your Messenger Bag Special?
Why not make your messenger bag even more unique by using our embossing service and adding your initials or name? We can emboss the bottom centre of the flap to make your bag even more special. Embossing comes with a £10-£15 cost.
If you've been looking for a unique bag with character, history and charm engrained into it, have a look at our stunning messenger bags.
