Help me with my kit

[Bill Ladd]

Currently I'm shooting out of a modern bag with modern accoutrements. I'm looking a hunting bag and powder horn that's more appropriate to an NC Mountain flintlock longrifle.

I've spent a lot of time looking at this (and other) sites and it's left my head spinning as to what's appropriate for the time period (North Carolina, late 1700s to early 1800s).

I'm assuming a mountain man styled bag with a buffalo horn is way off base.  What would a humble NC Piedmont/Mountain hunter have carried with him?

What are some of your favorite sights for research?

How about sights to procure items (either plans or in kit form)?

Thanks folks.  I really do appreciate it.

Bill

(PS - if any of bigsmoke's horn kits are appropriate, I'll certainly purchase from him.)

[Rick Sheets]

Check out Jeff Bibb's website. I recently got a SIMPLE pouch from Jeff and it would be great for the period you are looking for.
http://www.jeffbibbpouchesandhorns.com/

Simple and smallish for a horn would be appropriate for a horn. Again, see Jeff's website. I love Billy Griner's work too. Billy recently did a simple horn that is very simple and classic. See the top horn!  http://billygriner.com/simple-horns/

[Bill Ladd]

Wow. Awesome bags.  I also checked out your horns.  Very nice.

Being a handy man of limited means, by necessity I will be creating my own. For some reason I want to do a fabric and hide bag - Mr. Bibb has a few examples in hemp from the area and time period I'm looking.  That gives me hope I wouldn't be laughed out of a period event (if I ever were to find myself at such a place).

[EricEwing]

Wow. Awesome bags.  I also checked out your horns.  Very nice.

Being a handy man of limited means, by necessity I will be creating my own. For some reason I want to do a fabric and hide bag - Mr. Bibb has a few examples in hemp from the area and time period I'm looking.  That gives me hope I wouldn't be laughed out of a period event (if I ever were to find myself at such a place).

If this is a real concern, I would do a bit more research and base a pouch and horn set on an existing example or illustration, etc.  
I do know that Jeff Bibb bases his work on existing bags and horns he has studied and makes beautiful work.  As mentioned Billy Griner makes fantastic horns of that region as well.

[Horner75]

Question?  Why a KIT?  Make your pouch and horn from scratch and you will have something to to make you truly proud.  Bigsmoke doesn't own powder Horns and More anymore, but a good fellow by the name of Gerry Meesmer  is the new owner and goes out of his way to please customers and continue fast service!

Rick

[Ky-Flinter]

Bill,

I would suggest you get a copy of the book "Recreating the 18th Century Hunting Pouch" by ALR member T.C. Albert.  It's a great book and will help you do what the title says.

If you want to build your own horn, get a copy of "Recreating the 18th Century Powder Horn" by another ALR member Scott Sibley.  It's a great book too.

-Ron

[Bill Ladd]

Question?  Why a KIT?  Make your pouch and horn from scratch and you will have something to to make you truly proud.  Bigsmoke doesn't own powder Horns and More anymore, but a good fellow by the name of Gerry Meesmer  is the new owner and goes out of his way to please customers and continue fast service!

Rick

Rick - I meant "kit" as in collection, like used in phrase "the whole kit and kaboodle."  Truth be told, I'm much more likely to build from scratch than from a kit.

Also, thanks for the heads up on PHM. 

[Bill Ladd]

Bill,

I would suggest you get a copy of the book "Recreating the 18th Century Hunting Pouch" by ALR member T.C. Albert.  It's a great book and will help you do what the title says.

If you want to build your own horn, get a copy of "Recreating the 18th Century Powder Horn" by another ALR member Scott Sibley.  It's a great book too.

-Ron

Ron - will do.  I love getting new books. Thanks!

[Bill Ladd]

If this is a real concern, I would do a bit more research and base a pouch and horn set on an existing example or illustration, etc.  
I do know that Jeff Bibb bases his work on existing bags and horns he has studied and makes beautiful work.

Thanks SligoBill, that's why I posted the query.  Where are your favorite places to research such a thing?

I don't know if I'll ever get into the whole period thing, but since I'm going to build a shooting kit, I figure I might as well go for period correct.

[Bill Ladd]

Ohh, looky here -

[EricEwing]

I'm glad you like that pouch, but be aware that it is pure conjectural folk art... I made it to go with a .40 cal Tennessee rifle and an original horn, and in the spirit of original pouches seen in the books by Madison Grant and Jim Webb.

To answer your question about research and ideas I look at those books and also try to get a peek at original pouches and horns whenever I can, either on the contemporary maker's blog, long rifle shows, pictures and guidance from more knowledgeable friends and acquaintances, and the rare in-person and non-rushed examination of one when it presents itself.  And of course many contemporary makers are a big influence on me personally.

There is no one source of actual documented hunting pouches from a specific time and place that I'm aware of, you sort of have to look all over and dig.  Powder horns seem to enjoy a greater level of documentation and accessibility.

[Bill Ladd]

I'm glad you like that pouch, but be aware that it is pure conjectural folk art... I made it to go with a .40 cal Tennessee rifle and an original horn, and in the spirit of original pouches seen in the books by Madison Grant and Jim Webb.

Whoa. This is wild. I was scrolling through the CLA sight and that pouch really grabbed me so I uploaded the image to my Imageshack.

I had utterly no idea you made that.  Crazy, huh?

That's a badass pouch sir. I hope you don't mind if I use it for inspiration.

[EricEwing]

Thanks. That is a coincidence.
Have at it man. Be sure to post pics here when you're done!

[Jerry V Lape]

When I decide to make a pouch the first thing done is to sketch out the panels of leather or material to form the various parts on a piece of butcher paper.  Leave a little strip around the sides which require stitching.  Cut those pieces out and pin to a piece of scrap cloth cut those out and loosely stitch the cloth together to determine where the problems may be and whether the shape is what I want.  Adjust the paper patterns and cut the leather from those.  While you are doing this it is important to figure out your order of what gets stitched  - first through last.  I like to turn the material inside out and sew from the inside as much as possible so consider how to turn things right side out once sewn.  I managed to sew some pretty complex bags with multiple interior pockets and welting; all of it done inside out.  It is the planning and pattern making that made it possible. I was not experienced in leather work at all when I started, just figured to do it like a clothes pattern as women use to make dresses etc.  I also went to the department store and looked at several very nicely made ladies handbags to see how they were sewn and the scale of gussets.  Helped a lot.

[Virginiarifleman]

I do much the same. i make a pattern using heavy construction paper for every piece im going to cut out and label them.

[Bill Ladd]

THanks Jerry and Virginiarifleman for those tips.

Recently got the recommended bag- and horn-making books.  Got some pieces of leather.  Looking forward to a trip to the fabric store to see what kind of ticking they have.

More to follow.