Simple Little Hunting Pouch (more pictures)

[Greg Pennell]

I just finished this one this morning.  I’m in the process of building a .36 caliber squirrel rifle, based on some of the Gillespie rifles in Dennis’ book, and wanted a simple bag to go with it.  I really like the hunting pouches that Mark Elliot details on his blog, and used those for inspiration.  This one is made of one piece of 4 oz. veg tan, with a welt around the edge of the flap the only decoration. The strap is hand woven jute, with a leather adjustment strap and brass harness buckle. I dyed it with two coats of my home-brew iron acetate, and finished up with some mink oil. It’s about 7 1/2” square, which should be plenty of room for a small bullet board, a flint wallet, a worm, and a turn screw.

Thanks for looking,
Greg

[James Rogers]

Nice work Greg!
How do you make your vinegar mix?

[Tim Crosby]

 Good look'n bag Greg, really nice work on the strap too.

   Tim

[hanshi]

I do like that bag.

[Greg Pennell]

Thanks for the kind words guys.  It’s not perfect, but I learn a little more with each one. I think that’s what I love so much about this black powder hobby...there are so many neat things to make!

James, in February I put some old rusty pieces of barbed wire in a quart mason jar, and filled it with cider vinegar, then capped it and set it on the shelf.  When I got ready to try it this week, I poured some through a piece of cloth into a smaller jar.  I’m pretty pleased with the color, and like the fact that it only stains the leather, and not everything in the general vicinity.

Greg

[James Rogers]

I use cider vinegar as well!

[Black Hand]

The strap is hand woven jute...

You will discover that Jute is a poor material for straps.

[BOB HILL]

Nice job,Greg. Thanks for sharing.
Bob

[Marcruger]

I like the bag Greg.  That cider blend gave you a nice even finish.  Your stitching is coming along by leaps and bounds. 

Keep at it good sir!   God Bless,   Marc

[Greg Pennell]

Marc, I’m improving my tool kit a little at a time...the new stitching groover really helps keep things straight. The vinegar stain is surprisingly easy to use, and I like the color very much. I used a wool dauber to apply, and just flooded the surface, let it dry, then did another coat. The mink oil darkens and evens everything up.

Mr. Hand, jute is pretty coarse, and is not ideal, I’ll agree. I’m just learning to do a bit of weaving on a homemade inkle loom, and jute is what I’ve been working with. I’m already looking for better, but still period correct, materials. I have a line on some hand spun wool and linen threads, so more to come.

Thanks!
Greg

[Clark Badgett]

Hemp is very period correct and makes great strap material.

[Black Hand]

Mr. Hand, jute is pretty coarse, and is not ideal, I’ll agree. I’m just learning to do a bit of weaving on a homemade inkle loom, and jute is what I’ve been working with. I’m already looking for better, but still period correct, materials. I have a line on some hand spun wool and linen threads, so more to come.

Try Hemp - I've woven straps with the smallest twine purchased from Walmart.

[Greg Pennell]

Rather than start a new thread, I figured I’d update this one with some more photos, as the ensemble is pretty complete now.

I’ve added a simple horn, about 12” around the curve. It was very oval shaped, so I just went with it and fit a flat curly maple base, and carved an acorn shaped spout plug. There’s a groove and staple for strap attachment on the spout end, and a staple in the base.  I attached the horn to the bag strap with a couple small brass harness buckles.

The powder measure is antler, and it and the pick are attached to a small brass “D” ring sewn to the strap, with a braided lanyard. The lanyard is long enough to allow me to drop the pick/measure into the bag to keep them from rattling around.

On the back of the bag is a small antler handled knife, made by Charlie Wallingford.

Now, I just have to get around to finishing the rifle...

Greg

[Stoner creek]

Looks great Greg. Beautiful setup!

[stubshaft]

Great looking setup.  Really like that strap!

[Greg Pennell]

Thanks fellers. Wayne, thanks again for that little knife, I think it goes perfect with this set.  Can’t wait to try it out in the squirrel woods this fall!

Greg

[n stephenson]

Greg, Nice Work!! Good looking set up! It will really look good when it gets a few "outings" under it`s belt.  Thanks for posting! Nate

[hanshi]

Oh, yes, looks great!