Author Topic: Accoutrements En suite (Read 9930 times)

James Rogers · « **on:** March 12, 2014, 10:20:37 PM »

A matching set of double shoulder pouch, belt, belt pouch, gun sling, leg garters, powder flask strap, knife sheaths. All buckles are handmade. Sorry for the poor photography.

dlbarr · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2014, 11:04:23 PM »

Photography looks great to me...your leathercraft is even better! Working leather is one of my favorite past times as well. I am, however, not even close to being in your league.

Very nice work on the brass also.

Artificer · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2014, 11:29:37 PM »

Quote from: James Rogers on March 12, 2014, 10:20:37 PM

A matching set of double shoulder pouch, belt, belt pouch, gun sling, leg garters, powder flask strap, knife sheaths. All buckles are handmade. Sorry for the poor photography.

James,

I always look forward to seeing items you make as a special treat. Thank you.

May I ask what the strap is pictured to the left of the bag in this photo?
Gus

Artificer · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2014, 11:31:55 PM »

Darn it, I forgot to ask if you melt and pour your own brass buckles?

Gus

Artificer · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2014, 11:39:00 PM »

OK, forgot something else.

Is that a flap on the top of the knife scabbard intended to go between the scabbard and belt like a pistol hook and then a cord that goes around the belt to keep it on the belt?

My apologies as my eyes are getting worse until they can get me into surgery.
Gus

James Rogers · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2014, 12:13:56 AM »

Gus,
The item to the left is a gun sling. It just has a shell motif at the bottom where the button a
ttaches.
You are correct about the knife sheath. The fellow I made these for has trouble with one of his hands/arms and requested the flap so I incorporated a shell with that as well.
I have the crucibles, etc. to start some casting of some neat, early original buckles that were dug in central VA but have not to date. These are hand made. I take cast sheet and put it thru the rolling mill for the thickness I want and then fabricate them from there. Most who order these, want them because they were done from scratch. Some just want a period correct cast buckle.

jrb · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2014, 12:53:57 AM »

Awesome!!!

I especially like the knife sheaths.
They remind me of some i saw posted on another forum a few years ago, they were (maybe British or French late 1700s?) originals in a German museum that had knives in them with brass filligree handle scales, sometimes referred to as "cartouche" knives.
The photo did'nt show the construction close enough for me to determine if the sheaths were backseam or side seams all around, but since these were period sheaths, i've always wondered more about them.

Clark Badgett · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2014, 01:25:48 AM »

I love that top smaller pouch. Is it a belt bag? What size is it? Care to post it by itself?

James Rogers · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2014, 02:02:37 AM »

Clark,
It is a belt bag that is from the Lemuel Lyman belt bag. It is 5x7 like the original with an internal divider. On the one in the set, I just decorated it to go with the shoulder pouch and made the flap symmetrical.
Shoot me an email and I may be able to crop out a pic and send you.
I shot a bunch really quickly this morning prior to shipping them off.

Artificer · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2014, 12:05:01 PM »

Quote from: James Rogers on March 13, 2014, 12:13:56 AM

Gus,
The item to the left is a gun sling. It just has a shell motif at the bottom where the button a
ttaches.
You are correct about the knife sheath. The fellow I made these for has trouble with one of his hands/arms and requested the flap so I incorporated a shell with that as well.
I have the crucibles, etc. to start some casting of some neat, early original buckles that were dug in central VA but have not to date. These are hand made. I take cast sheet and put it thru the rolling mill for the thickness I want and then fabricate them from there. Most who order these, want them because they were done from scratch. Some just want a period correct cast buckle.

James,

Thanks for the further information. VERY interesting!

LOVE your handmade buckles and thanks for explaining how you make them.

I couldn’t quite picture what some have mentioned about 18th century knife sheaths being “tied on” until I saw your sheath in the photo. I got a real kick out of that.

Thank you again for showing your work as it is such a treat to see it.
Gus

gizamo · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2014, 10:06:24 PM »

I like the the style of both bags you chose for the project. Have you ever examined one of the few originals to determine the bags internal architecture?

The buckles you are crafting are outstanding...

KLMoors · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2014, 03:19:59 AM »

Very nice matching kit James. It makes me think that my persona must look like he spent a lot of time at 18th C yard sales!

Clark Badgett · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2014, 04:53:52 AM »

Quote from: James Rogers on March 13, 2014, 02:02:37 AM

Clark,
It is a belt bag that is from the Lemuel Lyman belt bag. It is 5x7 like the original with an internal divider. On the one in the set, I just decorated it to go with the shoulder pouch and made the flap symmetrical.
Shoot me an email and I may be able to crop out a pic and send you.
I shot a bunch really quickly this morning prior to shipping them off.

No real need to go to all that trouble. The size and picture will suffice for a reference, when I decide to design out my own. I like that style and think the size is about perfect and will use this info to help with the creative juices later on down the line.

Artificer · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2014, 10:36:28 AM »

Quote from: KLMoors on March 15, 2014, 03:19:59 AM

Very nice matching kit James. It makes me think that my persona must look like he spent a lot of time at 18th C yard sales!

KL,

That's a very nice thing to say.

However, the average 18th century person would not have been able to walk into a Master's Shop and place a "bespoke order" for a set of "Accoutrements en Suite" such as James has made here. The cost of the buckles, alone, would likely rule that out for people who were not at least somewhat affluent. This is a set of such quality virtually any gentleman, no matter how high his social standing, would have been proud to own and envied by the rest of the people at the time or us, today.

James,

Do I detect a little influence from your Game Bags in the way you made the straps for the larger pouch? I am referring specifically to the fact the straps are wider nearer the pouch and the fact you have two sewn on loops for the end of the adjustment strap? That was done very tastefully.

Gus

James Rogers · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2014, 01:57:06 PM »

Quote from: jrb on March 13, 2014, 12:53:57 AM

Awesome!!!

I especially like the knife sheaths.
They remind me of some i saw posted on another forum a few years ago, they were (maybe British or French late 1700s?) originals in a German museum that had knives in them with brass filligree handle scales, sometimes referred to as "cartouche" knives.
The photo did'nt show the construction close enough for me to determine if the sheaths were backseam or side seams all around, but since these were period sheaths, i've always wondered more about them.

JRB, you would enjoy the book "Knives and Scabbards" printed by the Museum of London.

James Rogers · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2014, 02:02:46 PM »

Quote from: gizamo on March 13, 2014, 10:06:24 PM

I like the the style of both bags you chose for the project. Have you ever examined one of the few originals to determine the bags internal architecture?

The buckles you are crafting are outstanding...

Gizamo,
I have not personally examined the Lyman bag. I have conversed with those who have and I have personally examined a couple That were made the same way. Not much in terms of architecture. Dont you have an original that is flat sewn with a divider? Maybe it was shreckmeister?

James Rogers · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2014, 02:06:23 PM »

Quote from: KLMoors on March 15, 2014, 03:19:59 AM

Very nice matching kit James. It makes me think that my persona must look like he spent a lot of time at 18th C yard sales!

Ken you are closer to right. This is a "set" because the fellow who ordered them wanted them to be matching so they could be passed down in modern times that way along with one of his firearms.

James Rogers · « **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2014, 02:17:25 PM »

Gus,you are correct.
I doubt any shop would have produced a matching set of varied items. Not that they couldn't, just that they probably didn't. Brass buckles would have been cast as well.
No inspiration on the strap from a game bag. These were designed as needs driven by the customer and I did my best to make everything have a strong aire of harness and saddle.
I did suggest a few changes along the way to make things more appropriate from a historical point.

Artificer · « **Reply #18 on:** March 16, 2014, 06:29:27 PM »

Thanks for the further info, James.

Outside the wealthy, I think the only ones who made have had something close to this suite would have been a well established Harness maker for his own use or perhaps for his sons.

Your customer now has a suite of accoutrements more than worthy of being passed down and enjoyed for generations to come.
Gus

smylee grouch · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2014, 11:20:05 PM »

Looks like a very nice ensemble. Great craftsmanship and artistic expression.

smart dog · « **Reply #20 on:** March 17, 2014, 03:15:37 AM »

Hi James,
That is great leather craft. What elegant accessories for a fine sporting gun!

dave

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Author Topic: Accoutrements En suite (Read 9930 times)

dlbarr

gizamo