Brass buttons?

[stombaug]

I just finished the stitching on a small shooter's pouch for my .54 cal stuff. I've seen pictures of shooter's pouches on this forum and websites of makers/sellers that have what look like a single brass button for the flap. TOTW has brass buttons but none of them really look like the ones on the pouches in the pictures. And I've had no luck finding ones that look right in my google adventures.

Any thoughts on the exact type of buttons that are used on these pouches, and where I can find on to put on mine?

 

[smoothshooter]

Need to know specifically which pouch you are talking about.
I know for a fact what the brass buttons on the Leatherman brand pouches (Woodlander, etc.) are. While those pouches are very high quality, I dislike the buttons they use because, being very thin and stamped out, the edges are kind of sharp and hard to push through the button holes on the flaps when opening or closing them. For me, a button with a thicker edge would be preferable. Again, very nice bags overall.

 

[Grenadier1758]

When I put a button on my pouches, I usually use a bone, antler or horn button. Sometimes I may use a wood or pewter button.

Just don't limit yourself to brass.

 

[stombaug]

I'm not limiting myself to brass, really. I have pouches with antler buttons and not ruling those out for this one. Just looking to see If I could find a brass one that I like and is PC/HC. Stumpkiller posted a couple of pics of his bags that had brass.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I really prefer no buttons at all. A large flap will stay down by itself. Have never had a problem with spilling stuff. Plus a button can be tricky to get open when in a hurry, have cold hands or wearing mittens. Sometimes a decoration will be put on the flap with a lead weight incorporated into the design. Yer preference.

 

[stombaug]

Then maybe an antler button for decoration purposes... hmmm :hmm:

 

[Rifleman1776]

hmmm

That's it.
Thunk up sumptin you like and do it.

 

[Artificer]

God has indeed blessed the person who did not use some kind of closure on the flap of his shot pouch and never spilt anything out of it. (No that is not a period quote, but true nonetheless.) :wink:

I have to wonder if those people ever ran hard, or jumped down hard, climbed up or down steep hills or trees, or waded streams, stepped into a hole under the snow, slipped on wet grass or leaves in moccasins, fell out of a canoe (at least I have not done that one) or just lost their footing and fell, or other things that cause spillage with a shot pouch with no closure? Maybe I am more "Coordination Challenged" than other folks?

I have used antler buttons and tips, rolled leather buttons and other kinds of period closures; but prefer to use plain pewter buttons for closures on my 18th century pouches. Period correct and easier to use and stay secure than some other things I have tried. Just my opinion, FWIW.

Gus

 

[stombaug]

Do you have any pics of these pewter buttons? Might they be the very ones sold by TOTW?

 

[Artificer]

I don't believe I ever purchased plain pewter buttons from TOTW, most of the ones I purchased over the years were from the Sutlers at Friendship, G. Gedney Godwin or James Townsend. I like the larger ones, as they are easier to get at with wet or cold fingers, but have used smaller ones on some belt pouches.

Here is a list of buttons from Townsend. http://jas-townsend.com/buttons-buckles-c-18.html

Gus

 

[Artificer]

P.S. On heavier leather flaps, I like to sew a protruding "tab" onto the bottom of the flap of softer leather with a slotted hole for the button. Makes it easier to button and unbutton.

Gus

 

[George]

I'm with Rifleman1776. My two main pouches have no buttons, and I've never lost anything that I'm aware of. Both bags are of pigskin, which is fairly light weight and flexible, and the flaps stay down with no problem. I have a couple of bags I made early on and no longer use which have antler buttons, but I've caught some flack about those, said not to be correct for 18th-century bags.

Spence

 

[stombaug]

Decisions, decisions... Now I'm leaning toward leaving it alone. I don't have a button on my current bag and I've not lost anything yet, even the time I bit it hard on solid ice while hunting (may have lost conciousness for a bit, but that's it). Thank to all for the feedback.