Belly Box

[jon math]

I made this for a 12 Gauge Fowler. I had a hunk of wood that I thought was big enough, but I ran out of room quickly when I started drilling holes for the rounds. It still yielded a decent number of ready rounds, and I'll carry a pouch and horn too.

I may paint the block black, as was typical, but I do like the oiled wood too. Galvanized nails seem to be the modern standard, so I burnt them to remove the zinc and fire-blued them and the screw used to hold the turned bone button on the bottom.

I did everything with hand tools

and left a few tool marks here and there to keep a homespun air about the item.

 

[springfield art]

Cool! Belly boxes are one of the easiest things to make, and can be customized to no end. (Excluding re-enacting stuff!)

 

[Grenadier1758]

I make the holes 7/8" in diameter for more room for the cartridge. Your belly box looks to be able to do the job.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

I made its twin for my .62 fowler. Five rounds, leather flap. Works well.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[yonderin]

Nice. Personally I'd have to make one that sat on my chest. A lot of belly to reach under to get to it.

 

[windini]

Nice work, and inspirational!

I'll add a few to my list of projects.

Just curious: did hand tools include a brace & bit for the holes?

 

[smoothshooter]

I made this for a 12 Gauge Fowler. I had a hunk of wood that I thought was big enough, but I ran out of room quickly when I started drilling holes for the rounds. It still yielded a decent number of ready rounds, and I'll carry a pouch and horn too.

I may paint the block black, as was typical, but I do like the oiled wood too. Galvanized nails seem to be the modern standard, so I burnt them to remove the zinc and fire-blued them and the screw used to hold the turned bone button on the bottom.

I did everything with hand toolsView attachment 311465View attachment 311466View attachment 311467View attachment 311468 and left a few tool marks here and there to keep a homespun air about the item.

Man, what did you do to your thumb nail? It hurts me just to look at it!
Belly box looks good, BTW.

 

[springfield art]

A sharp flint falling on a finger near a touch hole would be similar to the old Garand "M-1 Thumb!"

 

[simonbeans]

My belly box and hunting set up:

 

[jon math]

Nice work, and inspirational!

I'll add a few to my list of projects.

Just curious: did hand tools include a brace & bit for the holes?

Yes, did it the old way, but with a modern Fostner bit.

 

[jon math]

Man, what did you do to your thumb nail? It hurts me just to look at it!
Belly box looks good, BTW.

The nail is a gift that keeps on giving. During COVID the place I had worked at for 20+ years closed its door and in desperation, I foolishly took a job at a place I would not normally have even been willing to even walk into for a visit. I was caught by an unguarded machine and my thumb was mangled. I'm not sure if the chemicals, radioactivity, or physical damage is why the nail just will not grow back correctly, but it's been a few years now and it doesn't heal.

 

[bpd303]

why the nail just will not grow back correctly, but it's been a few years now and it doesn't heal.

Both of my big toe nails were damaged like that by chemo, thankfully they don't hurt but get thicker so I have to file them down. My oncologist had never seen that but said the nail beds had to be damaged.