Bag and Horn for a Plains Rifle?

[Smokey Plainsman]

Hello the camp! :hatsoff:

Guys I've got not one, but TWO Lyman's Great Plains rifles, one percussion and one flint. I know the flint one is not historically correct as no Hawken pattern plains rifles have ever been found in flintlock.

But I need a possibles bag! I've already got a need muzzleloading box for at the range, but want a nice leather bag for when I'm hunting and exploring the woods. Also I would like a powder horn as well.

I would like both be simple and straightforward, like the Lyman GPR is. Also I want something that's historically accurate for the time period of a Hawken percussion gun, say the 1840s-1850s time period.

Guys I don't a thing about possibles bags or powder horns. I'd prefer to not spend a mint but don't mind if it'll be good ones. Please help!

Take care! :thumbsup:

Earl

 

[Larry Akers]

If you are the DIY type, take a look at the possibles bag kits at the Crazy Crow web site.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I've made my own for specific needs with respect to historical reenactments, but I own a belt bag from October Country and I would recommend that you look into their line of bags.

 

[tenngun]

Look up Miller or Brigham paintings, you will note bags tend to be small. October country offers bags that look like they could fit in these paintings. We have a tendency to want big survival bags so we have room for tons of gegaws, in the end think minimalist, to be most hc.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Sounds good to me too, Tenngun. I'm not looking for a huge shoulder bag either. Something that'll carry just my shooting supplies and little tools and things would suffice.

Also I'm no leather crafter or horner. I can't make this stuff myself guys! Thanks.

Earl

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I took a look at October Country's possibles bags. Very nice! I found this small size bag:
http://www.octobercountry.com/olde-style-possible-bag/

I would order it in the "distressed" leather finish to give it that rustic look. Would this bag be historically correct for a 1840-1850s plains rifle?

I'm not totally concerned with 100% historical accuracy, but don't want a totally wrong bag design.

And what of horns? Anyone know the proper style of horn I should be looking for?

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I also found this possibles bag that I really like!
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/50/1/BAG-CANADA-D

Is this one period correct? (1840s-1850s)?

 

[Mean Gene]

Hi Earl, you can also find powder horns and possibles bags on ebay. If your thinking 1830's 40' then think plain looking, no scrimshaw on the horn no fancy design on the bag.

Hope this helps

Gene

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Thanks Mean Gean!

I REALLY like the looks of the last bag I quoted. It is plain and comes with a distressed look as well.

I also managed to find a buffalo horn powder horn on Track of the Wolf were they describe it as great for a plains rifle. Very attractive but $150, steep. I really don't know what a quality horn goes for but would prefer to stay below that if possible. I'll check ebay for a horn, pretty well settled on that bag unless someone recommends another one.

I just love this stuff!! So fun to be finally getting some black powder rifles and some traditional accessories to go with them. I plan to hunt deer and even wild boars here with my .54 Lyman GPRs.

 

[rijerolmon]

Don't be so sure that you can't make any of this stuff yourself! Shop around and pick up a bag and horn to get started and plan on "joining the addiction". Find a club in your area and go to some shoots/rendezvous you are starting young into a great hobby (obsession). Welcome aboard.

 

[Treestalker]

You might want to get a plain cow horn powder horn with a plain leather strap and a cowhide leather bag with a plain leather strap to match. If you make your own you might become addicted to making things, which is the essence of RE-creation, and a big part of the traditional muzzle loading hobby. If you purchase plain gear, it will be very real for the common man on the prairie who was less interested in style than function and durability. After using your gear a while, you may choose to embellish it a little and it will become more personal. Buy the toughest stuff you can get and break it in. Good shooting and stay safe! George

 

[tenngun]

A good horn can be costly. Buffalo horns even more so since the raw horn is higher cost. A good plain cow horn will run from $ 50- 150, a little decoration adds cost. A bit of schrimshaw or deceptive carving can add up quick. By your time frame horns tended to be planer then earlier horns. A buff horn tends to be just black, but you can get a lot of pretty colors in a cow horn. A horn can be a gift for your grandchildren, so don't let the price scare you too much. I bought a horn from Ron Brown in San Diego in 1978. It was a $40 horn then. I was in the navy and made about $500 a month then. I still have it and it's picked up a scratch or two over the years. However it's still tight as a drum,and I sure will give good service over the next thirty years.
We all want horns as they just look right, and I have one small flask I carry for a duplex load when shooting fake powder in a flinter. Howsomever by the time frame of your gun brass flask were becoming common. Photos from the gold rush show lots of flask and few horns. Not that horns ever went out of style. Today's horn smiths learned the art from Appalachian horn makers that had survived into the 1930s.

 

[tenngun]

I'm a big fan of TOW, but some outher too so shop around a bit. Just for some ideas, Turkey foot traders, who are online has some good looking Well made horns in the $90-110 range, I can vouch for how good of a company they are to deal with. Jas Townsend,like track and turkey foot, number one in my book,carries some nice horns.

 

[SgtErv]

Just something to think about...I know you may not be thinking about wearing funny clothes yet, but you might one day. And, from the sounds of it, it may be sooner than later!

So you're on the right track with thinking PC for the plains. It's a good call that might serve you well in the future. Getting into reenacting/living history can be expensive. It is much more so if you buy your gear twice haha

I found a heck of a deal on a bark tanned deerskin bag. It's small (6"x7") with a single inner pocket. It forces me to carry only ehatsbabsolutely necessary, and Ive stashed extra balls and patches in the little pocket so I can reach in to reload. I had a bigger bag but found myself digging around in it

Check out the contemporary rifle association sales page too. There's some nice work there

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Thanks so much, all!

I checked eBay and it appears there are quite a few horns in the $20 range that look nice, real cow horn. Maybe from China or something. I would worry that they would leak or be of low quality.

Also checked Jas Townsend and Son website (I love their YouTube show!) and saw a $20 horn and a $58 white horn. I think I'd like to go with something a little darker or two-tone and of course plain to be period correct.

Any other ideas on were to find a horn would be appreciated! Thanks all!!

 

[Kansas Jake]

Earl, in the Manhattan area there is the Kaw Valley Muzzleloaders. There is also a group over in the Junction City/Chapman area. I'm not active in either group, but may begin to do some stuff with the Kaw Valley group.

On powder horns, look at some of the stuff that has been done by folks here in the craftsman thread. You might see if any of them could make you a horn.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Thanks Kansas Jake!

 

[tenngun]

$20 horns will, in hand, look and feel cheap, most will have air leaks. They will feel like something bought at a frontier tourist shop. Now in the real world of use on a day to day basis, your not going to be fording rivers, stuck out for days on end in snow and rain ect. However a horn that leaks will pick up humidity and powder will clump :td:.
Then if you do go to an event you will note right away other peoples horns, you will feel like you have the one Yugo at a muscle car ralley. I have one of townsend's better horns, its a good buy. Don't get put off by the whitish color. A horn wont get dirty. It may scratch but will keep its color. In my experience a whit horn won't scare off game or ruin your camo.

 

[Spikebuck]

Earl, if you want to ruin your keyboard by drooling all over it, you can peruse this site:
http://www.longrifle.com/artisans-works/

My first horn was a very plain cow horn and it was not very much money. It was solid, never leaked, or anything. It was a good place to start. After 17 years doing traditional muzzleloading, I find myself looking more and more at items like those on the CLA site which are fine handcrafted one-of-a-kind works by artisans.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Wow that's some good stuff on there.

I guess I'm looking for a plain yet well made cow or buffalo horn, about medium size (not a real big one), one that won't leak or let air or moisture in. I will be using this to occasionally do overnight hunting and camping with so I do need something sturdy.