Author Topic: What's in my possibles bag?  (Read 7186 times)

Jim Cook

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What's in my possibles bag?
« on: December 16, 2010, 09:27:52 PM »
As I mentioned, I'm in the final stages of making a TOW English Fowling Gun. Flintlock, smooth bore about .6 in diameter. Your comments have helped me decide how I'm going to reassemble the breach and secure the White Lightning vent liner.

As I'm getting to the end of this project I'm thinking of the next. It probably will be a possibles bag, I'd like to make it myself. In order to determine what configuration the bag will take I think I need to know what will be in it. This will help me determine the number of pockets, if any, and the number of sections. The general flavor of the bag should be what would have been carried in Western New England in about 1770.

I want the straps to be adjustable. To be able to use the bag while standing and while on horseback.
I expect to carry a patch knife.

What other tools and supplies do I need in the bag for one or two days of hunting?
Any suggestions? Comments?


Offline James Rogers

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Re: What's in my possibles bag?
« Reply #1 on: December 16, 2010, 10:33:31 PM »
Jim,

You are going to have a hard time finding something front the time frame altogether. I would look to paintings. If you are concerned with historical correctness, I would make it half the size you have imagined in your mind, omit rings connecting straps to pouch and limit a plethora of pockets. I would go with a brass buckle correct for the time and place for you adjustment and you can choose if you want it in front or in back. Use vegetable tanned light cowhide or calf. I would also not discount a belt pouch as those can be documented for fowling into the early part of the 18th century.
Also do not conclude you need everything to shoot  the gun to be held in the pouch. Pockets were used to extent.

I can send you some pics from my image collection if you wish. Just pm me with your email and if your are interested in English, Germanic, etc.

You can also check my photobucket sub-album for some I have made based on period drawings and original pieces. Not great stuff but usable and researched for the most part. 
http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/jj136/fowling_gun/

If you plan to use the more modern cards and wads, I would suggest a more 19th/20th century type of rig with pockets, etc.
« Last Edit: December 16, 2010, 10:56:38 PM by James Rogers »

Pvt. Lon Grifle

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Re: What's in my possibles bag?
« Reply #2 on: December 16, 2010, 10:42:00 PM »
Perhaps two pockets under the flap, one for cards, one for wads.  I like a pouch with room enough for enough jerky to nibble on for a day of loafing about,  wrapped in a little cloth. For sure a hanger screw to fit the ramrod to pull wads and cards. Gun maintenance items for the day re: flints, screws, patches,jag, etc., maybe in a little cloth pouch  That's a start.   Lon  

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: What's in my possibles bag?
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2010, 10:46:28 PM »
There's a hunting pouch on the Blogspot right now that's got my heart pounding.   One of the ways to learn what your pouch needs to carry, and how it should be arranges, is to shoot trail/woods walks, loading from the pouch.  You'll quickly see what you do and do not need.

One thing I really like is a pocket on the back inside of the pouch, that only goes about half way to the bottom.  This is where I put my balls.  That way, you don't have to dig to the bottom to get a ball, just use the thumb and index finger to pluck one out.  I carry pre-lubed pre-cut patches in a tin in a small pocket attached to the front of the bag, under the flap.  Other than those two pockets, the bag is one open pouch that carries my extra flints, flint leathers, turn screw/knapping hammer, and a leather bag with a few cleaning tools.
« Last Edit: December 16, 2010, 10:47:37 PM by D. Taylor Sapergia »
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Offline James Rogers

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Re: What's in my possibles bag?
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2010, 11:06:51 PM »
There's a hunting pouch on the Blogspot right now that's got my heart pounding.  

If it's the one by Greg Hudson, I agree. I have never seen any of his work I did not like.

BrownBear

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Re: What's in my possibles bag?
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2010, 04:15:32 AM »
What other tools and supplies do I need in the bag for one or two days of hunting?

I'm coming from the function standpoint because I do a lot of hill tromping and hunting with mine.

First priority is whether or not you'll be wearing gloves, which will determine where things are and how you're going to get at them.

After that, I carry a small horn (no more than 20 shots worth of powder, or 1600 grains/ 1/4-pound) loose in my bag.  

A pound to a pound and a half of shot translates into more than a dozen shots, and anything more is excess weight.  I've got a small shot bag loose in the bag, too.

I find that it's easiest to get to wads and cards with two shallow pockets across the face of the bag just below the mouth.  I only put half a dozen in each, with spares in a small leather bag loose in the bottom of the bag.  

I'm hunting in serious brown bear country, so I have a loading block with three patched RBs.  Shove one down on top of the shot loads and hope for the best on a confrontation.

After that, it's a very small tool kit plus a spare flint if I'm flinting, and spare caps if I'm capping.  In the latter case my capper is leather and rides in a pocket on the bag strap.

Dat's it.  Total weight less than 3 pounds, and I could certainly cut that in half with less shot and powder.  Lord knows I only wish I needed that much on a hunt!
« Last Edit: December 17, 2010, 04:15:59 AM by BrownBear »

Offline pulaski

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Re: What's in my possibles bag?
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2010, 07:38:47 AM »
Jim ,
While there are others here with far more experience as to the history and PC pieces found in a possibles bag , please indulge me .
Not knowing much when I first started shooting muzzleloaders and wanting to try doing things the old way , I just wandered into the woods for a 3 day hike with a note book and my knife and rifle . I found the note book invalueable .
As situations arrise and pieces needed write it down . Experience is the best teacher .
After my 3rd trip , I found the list got shorter and life became easier . The benifit of this method is you can stuff anything into a rucksac and as you go to various events ( or wander this great form ) you can replace the 21st century pieces with PC pieces .
Thanks , Steve

Jim Cook

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Re: What's in my possibles bag?
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2010, 05:28:11 PM »
I want to thank everyone for their comments. The members of this forum have proven invaluable. Great people.

This has been an interesting thread and I’m having a lot of fun hearing everyone’s ideas on what and why I should carry. It ranges from the minimalist to those who will include the kitchen sink. Each quotes a colonial example why he is right. I do plan on continuing my search; for one reason or another I have found the use of a possibles bag very interesting.

I’ve decided not to include a pocket that will hold my iphone despite what my grandson says. On the other hand, the clear window on the pocket that holds GPS has some merit.   :)

Offline bob in the woods

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Re: What's in my possibles bag?
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2010, 08:36:20 PM »
What are " I phones and a GPS " ???  Sounds futuristic and evil to me.

Leatherbelly

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Re: What's in my possibles bag?
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2010, 12:14:56 PM »
What are " I phones and a GPS " ???  Sounds futuristic and evil to me.
,,,and what about these cap things? where do they go ? down the muzzle? in the pan? Too futuristic for me.I don't think they'll catch on. :o ;D

omark

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Re: What's in my possibles bag?
« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2010, 09:16:56 PM »
What are " I phones and a GPS " ???  Sounds futuristic and evil to me.
,,,and what about these cap things? where do they go ? down the muzzle? in the pan? Too futuristic for me.I don't think they'll catch on. :o ;D

i think ya put several in the pan stead of the prime,  dont ya??   mark

Offline Dale Campbell

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Re: What's in my possibles bag?
« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2010, 09:40:48 PM »
What are " I phones and a GPS " ???  Sounds futuristic and evil to me.
,,,and what about these cap things? where do they go ? down the muzzle? in the pan? Too futuristic for me.I don't think they'll catch on. :o ;D

i think ya put several in the pan stead of the prime,  dont ya??   mark

Yep.  Fill the pan.  Fire the gun by closing the frizzen.
Best regards,
Dale