I am building a bag set that would be used for a member of the common militia, circa 1750. The shooting pouch matches my belt worn shot bag. These are small by todays standards. Given the simplicity of the bag, it will not have the strap buttoned, buckled, or lashed..just a plain strap attachment. I have examined one bag done in this manner and found one side left long, and yet still sewn to the bags body...with no evidence of buttonholing.
Over the years, I have also seen examples of similiar design on hunting bags...one strap left long.
Is this common ? And if so, for what purpose ?