Hi Folks,
After an 8 month hiatus (I needed to get creative again), I was asked to make a bag for a presentation horn and bag set. I decided to make two at the same time. The main body of each are from the same pattern, but with clearly different colors and flaps.
Over time I have found that straightforward, unadorned bags work in many settings and time periods. I thought of these as, "What would a late 18th Century bag look like from a solid harness maker in, say, Charleston?" The two bags here are my take on a possible answer to that question. I tried to make them look used but not abused, to compliment aged rifles and guns. These are about 8" square, and so fit a modern man's hand. These are not large "longhunter" bags, but rather a typical bag an average person would take hunting for a day.
Both are 3-4 ounce W&C cowhide, laminated to a piece of Springbok hide with the suede showing inside. Springbok? I came across a couple of hides nicely tanned and supple, so I bought them. With all of the products coming from Africa in that time (no, not referring to slaves), a Springbok hide would not be out of place in coastal America. At least that is my thought. The inside stiffener/pocket is also the 3-4 ounce W&C cowhide. The top rolled edge cuff is deerhide. Richard Lanni buckle, with antiquing and iron tongue by me. All hand saddle stitched in waxed Irish linen.
I hope you enjoy them. God Bless, Marc