Author Topic: What style shooting bag? (Read 7510 times)

Bull Shannon · « **on:** February 10, 2013, 01:17:47 AM »

I am buying an early Virginia transitional rifle from a friend and it occurred to me that with the exception of my powder horn, most of my accouterments are for a later time period. Is there a certain style of shooting bag or certain features that would match this rifle better than others? My persona in this case would be from the South Carolina area, if that helps.

gizamo · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2013, 01:46:46 AM »

A small and simple bag, narrow strap, short flap with a button...perhaps a simple divider in the interior. Strap attachment on one side of the bag might be adjustable with a simple leather or pewter button.

Bull Shannon · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2013, 01:52:56 AM »

Okay, small and simple. Would it have gussets or just be a simple, fold over design?

gizamo · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2013, 02:10:56 AM »

Little of both.

The bottom of the bag would be folded partially into the interior and the divider would be sewn to that. That way, just the two sides would be stitched. This gives you a little more room on both sides of the bottom of the bag and a full divider.

The problem with a gusset is the bag has to be sewn on the interior side, then turned out. Can't easily put in a full divider with that method...

Bull Shannon · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2013, 02:58:07 AM »

The problem with a gusset is the bag has to be sewn on the interior side, then turned out. Can't easily put in a full divider with that method...

Ah, now I understand. Would they have had pockets at that time too, or was that something that came about later?

gizamo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2013, 03:30:16 AM »

The couple of original bags I have examined, did not have them. I have one in my collection that might give you some ideas for your bag. It is about 7" x 7".

Hungry Horse · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2013, 03:41:50 AM »

My early pouch is a heart shaped double, and the divider is the back of the pouch front, and the back, of the pouch back. The gusset is made by taking the pattern for the front of the pouch, and making a gusset pattern by duplicating it top to top, and not separating it, but, simply folding it over inside the pouch. The back of the pouch is also the front flap. There is a patch knife sheath between the separate pouches. The pouch is sewn from the outside through both the front, and back, through a thin buckskin seam cover, around the edge of the pouch. This pouch works much like saddle bags when you place it over a small limb, or fence rail. It also is great for carrying the gear for two separate guns. The strap is woven cloth, with leather ends. The pouch closure is a toggle made from a finger bone. Many of the ideas for this pouch came from an old pouch a friend owns, that actually has a shot bag in place of the patch knife sheath.
I hope this is of some help. I know its not easy to visualize from my description.

Hungry Horse

gizamo · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2013, 03:56:29 AM »

Jeff Bibb and Mark Elliot make versions of Early Virginia bags like I posted above..

Jeffs'....

Marks'

I make my own version, based on my bag.

Bull Shannon · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2013, 04:11:08 AM »

Great info, and what weight of leather should be used? Also, I've got a Weaving Welshman strap on one of my powder horns so I am wondering when that type of weaving became common and maybe use it for the bag's strap.

pathfinder · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2013, 04:39:12 AM »

I like 4oz for the bag it's self and maybe,and I mean maybe something a little heavier for the strap.

I would say pretty much anything simple would be OK. it seems those in the know think the rectangle shape is proper. Is a Bear skin bag the only kind for a Bedford?

Stay away from "Game bag's" and "Mountain Man" and I think you'll be fine.

Nutin' Fancy!

Be Well,
Pathfinder

Bull Shannon · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2013, 04:43:18 AM »

Would the bags be made from cow hide for the most part or is buckskin and maybe buffalo acceptable?

pathfinder · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2013, 05:11:24 AM »

Cow is best,longer lasting and eaier to work with. Bufallo may be a bit thick. Buckskin is rather thin,I hve used it but needed to line it in order for it to "behave".

Vegtable tan works the best for me. I've used all the different leathers over the years,"oil pullup" was probably my favorite to work.

Bull Shannon · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2013, 05:16:31 AM »

Quote from: pathfinder on February 11, 2013, 05:11:24 AM

Vegtable tan works the best for me. I've used all the different leathers over the years,"oil pullup" was probably my favorite to work.

Please explain what "oil pullup" is as I haven't heard that term before.

pathfinder · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2013, 05:18:37 PM »

It's a type of tanning that uses a variety of oils in the tanning process. It has a color but it leaves marks and scratches that "self heal" It takes on a "Used not Abused" look.

The Furniture retailer(wont name names,but THE Largest retailer in Michigan with 31 stores)I worked for tried to sell that line from Natuzzi,it fell flat on it's face as the people who bought it didn't think THEIR sofa would get distressed like the one in the store! ALL my service calls on these pieces where to explain,AGAIN, what "Oil Pull Up Leather"was,and AGAIN the "Distressing is NORMAL!

Funny thing is,when they were returned,and Natuzzi paid the customer back,we had to destroy the sofa! Perfectly good sofa! So when they came in, I was able to cut out the panels and make bag's and such from them.

I'll post a pic later.

wattlebuster · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2013, 08:41:50 PM »

Here is a Frank Barker that has served me well for a few yrs now. This goes pretty well with my 40 virginia.

Bull Shannon · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2013, 01:40:45 AM »

Very nice bag! What are the dimensions?

Scout · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2013, 03:31:24 AM »

Quote from: pathfinder on February 11, 2013, 04:39:12 AM

Is a Bear skin bag the only kind for a Bedford?

I have a Bedford and use a deerskin bag made by David Umbel and my rifle still shoots pretty good.

Whats the story with the bear skin bag ?

wattlebuster · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2013, 05:06:22 AM »

Bull... The bag is 7 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches tall. Frank put a knife sheath on the 1 1/2 wide strap and a steel buckle. The bag has a gusset and a small pocket on the inside. On the inside of the flap it has a cloth material and is fringed slightly. He also put a weeping heart in white linen thread on the flap. I really like his workmanship and he is like burger king in that he will do it your way.

Bull Shannon · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2013, 05:31:07 AM »

I remember this bag from a couple of years back, it still looks great. Is the gusset on yours similar to this one, which is also one of his creations? http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2009/02/frank-barker-bag.html
I've also got a Jeff White trade knife that needs a sheath so having one on the strap would suit me just fine.

Quote from: wattlebuster on February 12, 2013, 05:06:22 AM

Bull... The bag is 7 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches tall. Frank put a knife sheath on the 1 1/2 wide strap and a steel buckle. The bag has a gusset and a small pocket on the inside. On the inside of the flap it has a cloth material and is fringed slightly. He also put a weeping heart in white linen thread on the flap. I really like his workmanship and he is like burger king in that he will do it your way.

pathfinder · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2013, 06:27:06 AM »

[/quote]
Whats the story with the bear skin bag ?
[/quote]

That was a reference to only using a rectangle bag for Virginia styled guns due to there being a good number of them found with that style gun,not all,but quite a few.

I think it's in one of Madison Grant's books that shows a bag "typical of the Bedford area". It was a hair on Bear skin bag.

I use a heart shaped goat skin bag with my Bedford.

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Author Topic: What style shooting bag? (Read 7510 times)

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