Bag for a Horn?

[RoaringBull]

I received this little horn for Christmas from a great friend. Now I want to build a bag and all the accessories to go along with it. The bag build I can handle but may need help on the rest. But first things first, I need ideas for what the bag needs to look like, coming from Western North Carolina area. Hopefully there will be a nice rifle in the future to go along with all of this.

 

[Marcruger]

Hello Spotted Bull,

I would suggest you check Jim Webb's book on hunting pouches.  Jim has owned 200+ original bags and knows as much about them as anyone alive.  Some great drawings in there to work from. 

By the way, I would not call that horn a western North Carolina horn.  I'd call it a Piedmont banded horn, as these were found in VA, SC, GA and NC.  I don't normally associate the banded ones with the mountain types.  Great looking horn though. Who made it? 

My advice on a bag would be something pretty simple.  That way it frames the horn without competing with it.  This plain bag was done for Jim Parker's show, and no one would quibble over it matching your horn.  If you make something elaborate, you paint yourself more in a "corner".

Just my 2 cents worth.  God Bless,   Marc

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... I would agree with Marc on the Piedmont association of the horn,... However,... many settlers moved west and carried their gear with them, so there are some banded horns found in these mountains,... I have seen some in this area,...{I'm in Henderson Co. NC) and know well of one original that is associated with a family that moved from Swain Co. to Blount Co. TN in the 1830's,... the bag should be simple, plain and of bark-tan deer or cowhide,... some used other leather, too (coon, groundhog, bear), but mainly  plain bags,... 




v festival images

[RoaringBull]

Would a small plain double bag work, CCF?

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... I have never seen a double pouch associated with these Southern mountains,.. there may be some, but I haven't seen them,.. these fellows didn't need to carry much in their bag,... some of the earlier "longhunters" coming in from up-East might have had them prior to 1800, but after settlement time, no need to carry a lot for a short hunt or bear run,.... CCF

[Tim Crosby]

 Dana,
  What is that in the center of the second Pic, looks like a holster of sorts.

   Thanks, Tim

[Bob McBride]

I think that’s an old stiff cows knee Tim. Lock cover.

[skillman]

I too suggest the Jim Webb book. It will give you many ideas. That is a nice little horn.

Steve

[RoaringBull]

Yes I use Jim's book for reference in making bags all the time.

[scottmc]

Tim, that holster looking do hickey is a cow's knee.  That whole grouping was on display at the smokey mountain heritage center along with the southern rifles in 2018.

[Mick C]

Here's a picture of a dandy little "bearded" bag that I bought from T. C. Albert several years ago.  I think something of this ilk would be just the thing for that wonderful little horn.   Just my humble opinion.  But whatever you do, be sure to show it to us.....Mick

[RoaringBull]

I've been working on a few other requested bags and making up my mind on this one. But I will definitely post photos when I make it.

Thanks a huge amount for all of the input. I'm sure I'll be asking more questions further along in the process of getting the collection together.

[Marcruger]

Gee Mick, you set the bar up there.  I've made a bearded bag, and it wasn't a walk in the park.  Carpal tunnel likes to creep in.   I think there was a pretty good reason that they were not common back in the day....a lot of work for a purely aesthetic reason.  ;-)  If Bull wants to go for it, my best wishes to him.  God Bless,   Marc

[RoaringBull]

I've been wanting to make one for awhile, but then again I know it'll be a lot of work.

[Mick C]

Gee Mick, you set the bar up there.  I've made a bearded bag, and it wasn't a walk in the park.  Carpal tunnel likes to creep in.   I think there was a pretty good reason that they were not common back in the day....a lot of work for a purely aesthetic reason.  ;-)  If Bull wants to go for it, my best wishes to him.  God Bless,   Marc

Marc, I can only imagine how long and the shear amount of work that went into this bag.  But it does go so well with a nice southern rifle. I feel very fortunate to have acquired it from Mr. Albert and to be the current caretaker.....Mick   

[Marcruger]

My bearded bag is similar but different to T.C.'s.  Two takes on a neat original concept. 

Mick, owning any of T.C.'s work must be a joy.  He is a super craftsman.  I'll keep trying on my end.

 God Bless,   Marc

[RoaringBull]

Quick question on the bearded bags...the actual fringed pieces are sewn to the flap correct? Is the flap the full length of the bag? Is there a layer of fringe on the body of the bag?

[Marcruger]

The beard is done in strips that look like a comb, with a bar at the top and the fringe being the teeth on the comb. The bar is sewn to the full length flap. Several rows of these strips are sewn on overlapping. The bag body on mine has a fringed welt all the way around, but none on the front. I hope this helps. God bless, Marc  Ps - do a word search for Bag 14 Bearded and you can see more details.