Bag & Horn on a Common Strap

[Top Jaw]

One of the current Hunting Bag threads is asking how you wear your bag & horn.  I wanted to start a slightly different discussion with a theory I have.  At some point, many horns started to be attached to bags.  I get the sense that this may have developed over time as a way to quickly grab your gear in an emergency.  I have one bag that I use with a seperate horn, and one where a horn is attached to the bag, and I can tell you it would be much easier to grab and go with the "common strap" version. 

So, perhaps this was an inovation as the colonial settlement proceeded into more dangerous fringe areas, and people searched for every advantage they could get.  Or, maybe it was a way to help a young son from misplacing one or the other.    Just my rambling thoughts.   

 

[iloco]

What if a person had two bags say one for a 32 caliber and one for a 45 caliber and only had one horn....?
 Your theory is a good one.  I guess it will always be an ongoing discussion.

[gizamo]

It seems to develop in the 19th century along with the increasing size of bags.  For sport hunting it would make sense to have a dedicated bag/horn on one strap, especially if the horn is small for a rifle. 

Not so much for militia using a smoothbore in combination with a cartridge box.  Or, those carrying larger campaign horns.

[J Henry]

iloco get another horn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Man can never have to much gear!!!!!

[KentSmith]

I wear my horn on a separate strap on the side opposite my bag.  Since some shoots require the horn worn opposite the shooting side, that can vary right or left. 

I find it awkward to get my measure, unplug my horn, fill the measure, replug, get the patch, etc. all on the same side.  Easier for me if both hands can get involved.

[Virginiarifleman]

I have a Pouch & Horn for each Rifle I have in different Calibers . use the same Pouch & Horn if two are of the same Caliber. and all have horns attached to the bags. but that's just my preference and doesn't work for everyone. and it helps being a Bag Maker.

[omark]

Seems like some time rules are made only because they can or just to flex someone's ego. Like not blowing down a barrel.    Mark

[hanshi]

Excellent thoughts and opinions in this thread.  Speed and convenience in response to danger are, of course, no longer relevant.  Still it is nice to be able to do as our ancestors did and with the same type equipment.  As explained on another thread, I have both attached horns/bags and separate horns/bags.  The strategy of one bag per caliber makes sense to me and IS of practical consideration.  It's a true labor/time/error saver.  The general shooter/enactor/hunter today will have more guns of different calibers; mix-ups will occur.  "One bag/horn for each caliber" just happens to be a goal of mine. 

[B Staley]

It's a work in progress I have a bag and horn for most of my calibers but like the horn separate  because being left handed I have some right handed guns so when shooting them I put the horn on my left side away from the flash.

[EC121]

Personally I feel like I am lifting the bag with the horn.  I cut the hangers off the bag and make another strap.  The horn hangers are usually just about the right size for flint leathers.   I usually make a narrow 4 way braided strap out of round thong.  If you carry the horn under your arm, there isn't much slack.  The wide horn straps don't allow the horn strap to slide around your back.  A skinny strap slides better.  That is my method.  "Your results may vary"   

[Top Jaw]

So per Gizamo, this common strap may have had less to do with an emergency response, and maybe more to do with keeping a specific horn and bag combo together for a specific gun.  I can buy that. 

Perhaps as people got slightly better off financially, they may have had multiple guns for different game like we do now (squirrel rifle, deer rifle, and a fowler or two).  And, with multiple hunters in a family, it may have been advantageious to have a horn and bag for each gun (or each person), and the common strap scenario might have grown out of that practice.  Food for thought.

[Kermit]

Man, it would have to be more than slightly better off, IMO. My grandfather died in about 1950. He inherited the farm and never had a mortgage. He was very well set, having a trade he practiced when farm chores allowed, and a hatchery business as well. He farmed with horses, so machinery costs were limited. He left three guns: Remington shotgun, Winchester deer rifle, and a Winchester slide .22.

The Matchlock Gun, by Walter Edminds won the Newberry Award for children's literature in 1942. In the story, the father had to leave for muster when skulking malcontents had been seen about. Since he had to take his rifle gun, he left mother, son, and baby with an old Spanish matchlock for defense. Never was completely HC, but fun if your library has it.

I'm a'thinkin' most folks had one firearm mostly. Which has nothing whatsoever to do with how folks carried bag and horn, eh?

[Virginiarifleman]

Again I say its personal preference, and we can speculate on it but never really find an answer.

[gizamo]

So per Gizamo, this common strap may have had less to do with an emergency response, and maybe more to do with keeping a specific horn and bag combo together for a specific gun.  I can buy that.  

Perhaps as people got slightly better off financially, they may have had multiple guns for different game like we do now (squirrel rifle, deer rifle, and a fowler or two).  And, with multiple hunters in a family, it may have been advantageious to have a horn and bag for each gun (or each person), and the common strap scenario might have grown out of that practice.  Food for thought.
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As always.... Time and place. Add the person's place in society.

Horns change as much in use as do bags.... throughout the timeline.

Giz

[omark]

Kermit, you're g'dad only had 3 guns cause he never had TIME to hunt. .  Wish I was so industrious. Not many people like that anymore.     Mark

[gizamo]

James Audubon,  circa 1810

"… He blows through his rifle to ascertain that it is clear, examines his flint, and thrusts a feather into the touch-hole. To a leathern bag swung at his side is attached a powder-horn; his sheath-knife is there also; below hangs a narrow strip of homespun linen."

[skillman]

I believe personal preference and convenience. Farmers and settlers would probably find it convenient. Out the door with one grab. If you were traveling and had several horns of powder, I'm thinking trappers/explorers, then it may be better to have them separate. Also horseback would influence this. My thoughts.

Steve