Another Southern Outfit

[Mark Elliott]

Gary's post reminded me that I don't believe that I ever posted pictures of the southern heart shaped bag and horn I made for myself.   

As with Gary's, this bag was copied from pages 18-19 of Jim Webb's Sketches of Hunting Pouches, Powder Horns, and Accouterements of Southern Appalachia. I made the bag exactly as shown, 7.5"wide x 7.5" wide, using 3-4oz vegetable tanned cowhide and linen thread. The bag consists of a one piece back and flap with a front panel attached via a 1" gusset that goes around the entire bag and attaches to the strap. The bag is assembled such that the flesh sides are stitched together without a welt, and the bag is not turned. This results in the gusset folding inward. It is an unusual arrangement, but that is how the original was constructed. I used an iron buckle on the strap to allow for seasonal adjustment. The leather was stained with vinegar and iron. The strap is about 60" and can be shortened as much as necessary just by punching new holes for the buckle.

The attached horn is based on several original horns from Southwest Virginia. It is about 13" around the outside curve with a 2 1/2" base plug. It is hand scraped and filed with a turned walnut base plug attached using hand forged nails. A turned walnut stopper finishes the horn. The horn is dyed yellow with aqua fortis and appropriately aged.

[skillman]

Mark
Nice outfit. I have built a couple of bags sewn in this manner. I like the way it comes out but it really shows off your stitching. In my case, maybe not so good!
Steve

[seesbirds]

Nice work Mark!

Regards,

Mark

[RoaringBull]

Really nice work!


Sounds like another book I need to get for my library!

[Dancy]

Mark,

I would love to see a picture of the welt construction if you had it handy. Having a hard time in visioning how you did that. Thanks for sharing, James

[G. Elsenbeck]

Mark, excellent looking outfit yourself and I love the look those older style measures too.  Is this one of tin? 
And the color of the horn came out just like an old horn.   Keep it up.
Happy horning,
Gary

[smshea]

I like it allot! Nice work!

[Mark Elliott]

Gary,

This is one of my shooting outfits, so I have a commercially available steel adjustable powder measure.    It is based on some originals, but if I was trying to make a completely historically accurate outfit, I would have used a horn, bone, or tin measure.

Mark
   

[Jefferson58]

That is a nice set Mark. I think I saw that in Williamsburg and liked it then. The pouch goes together really well with that horn. It is one of the most unique pouches in Jim's book.

Thanks for sharing that one.

Jeff

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I like that horn a lot!!! I like the shape of the bag.and the leather is terriffic. My personal preference is for a finished edge on the bag......everybody's tastes are different...avery nice set altogether!!  Mark your detail work like the way you fastened the strap to the horn is just beautiful. Looks like it was designed to function!!!

[B. Hey]

Great looking outfit, Mark. Thanks for sharing. Take care .. Bill

[Mark Elliott]

Jeff,

To the best of my recollection,  I didn't have this outfit at Williamsburg.   I made it afterward.    I based the horn partly on an original I saw at Williamsburg.  I had one there like it, but it wasn't the same one and I don't think it was as good as this one.

Mark

[Ole Doc]

Nice kit ya got there ... like the horn alot.
One thing I look at in a true bag used for real hunting
is function and fit ...
a heart shaped bag is quiet walkin n stalkin.
the contents inside lock in because of gravity n the funnel effect.
a wide bag and stuff can rattle more and cause noise.
Been seein a few heart bags lately too.

[Tim Crosby]

 Good looking set Mark. The horn is Really nice, the strap rings are really well done. I find them one of the toughest things to get right on a horn. And the base design is true to the era.

 Tim C.

[rickevans]

Mark, very nice work. I too would like to see a picture of the welt and how it's all put together. Pictures work much better with me for finguing things out...

Thanks for sharing.

[Sequatchie Rifle]

Another fine Southern outfit!  You gonna sell it off?

[Mark Elliott]

The outfit has been sold.

Mark E.