double pouch, another way

[George]

Following along as TXFlynHog builds his double pouch got me thinking about mine, and the difference in the construction method. I built mine 25+ years ago when there were very few how-to resources about such things, so I just winged the design.



It’s built of about 3 1/2 ounce brown pigskin. TXFlynHog’s design seems to involve 5 pieces of leather, separate front and back for each pouch and a piece for the flap. Mine is simpler, has only 3 pieces, a front piece of the front pouch, a long piece folded in the middle which forms both the back of the front pouch and the front of the back pouch, and a third piece which forms the back of the back pouch and the flap.



I made the front piece of the front pouch about 1 1/2 inches longer than the depth of the pouches, and sewed that excess to the flap above the back pouch. You can see that in this photo, directly above where the center piece is folded.



In order to cover and protect that area where front piece and flap were sewn together, I fastened a fringed piece across the front of the front pouch which folded around both sides, and all thickness of leather were stitched as one.



This has been a very good bag for me, it’s small and slim, 7" wide 8" tall, easily holds all I need for hunting with either ball or shot. I use it mostly for my smoothbore, and keep the tow and jackknife to cut it with in the back pouch, primer, turnscrew, coil worm, extra flint, ball or shot bag and cow’s knee in the front.





Spence

 

[Jaeger]

Very nice work, Spence. Inspiring. I like the way one pouch hangs slightly lower than the other. Reminds me of something, but I can't think of what.....

 

[BrownBear]

You have a fine pair of wings Spence! Seldom do my "winging it" jobs turn out so well.

 

[smo]

Excellent job Sir ! :hatsoff:

 

[NeilMacleod]

Great Looking pouch

 

[hawkeye2]

Spence I like it, well thought out.

 

[MIOutdoorsman]

Wow Spence, that is a beautiful bag. Well designed and superb craftsmanship. I am both humbled and inspired!

I admit that when I was following the pattern for my double bag, I had considered a single folded piece in the middle like that. It’s a smart design for someone with skills!!

Cheers

 

[Artificer]

Spence,

I admire you and your double pouch on many levels.

First, do I assume correctly that you were not a professionally trained and experienced leather worker when you made this pouch? Please understand this in no way is a criticism, but rather a compliment as you made such a neat pouch without being professionally trained. You figured out what you wanted/needed and then figured out how to make it. I believe many such home made Shot/Hunting Pouches were made in this way during the period, though we have few examples from the period you do and most of them seem to have been made by those with at least some training in leather working.

The majority or original "home made" Shot/Hunting Pouches that remain are from the very late 18th century or more likely the early 19th century. Though the style of the pouches changed a little by then, one thing that probably did not change was many home made pouches used less sewing than professionally made pouches. Some pouches were made from one long piece of leather that formed the front, back and flap of the pouch with just one line of stitches on each side of the pouch. Other pouches used an "L" shaped piece of leather were the bottom of the "L" was folded over and stitched along the bottom and up one side to form the pouch. So your use of one piece of leather for the back and front of the two pouches is well in keeping with that tradition.

I do have to ask, did you stitch along the top of that folded piece that forms the back of the front pouch and the front of the back pouch?

The reinforcing strip of leather to keep the front pouch from opening too far was very inventive.

I also like your use of pigskin for this pouch. That skin (and some other leathers) was/were much more commonly used for this purpose in the period, than we do today.

I salute your design, craftsmanship and inventiveness in making that pouch and especially for when you made it!

Gus

 

[George]

First, do I assume correctly that you were not a professionally trained and experienced leather worker when you made this pouch?

No training, some limited experience before this project. This was my second bag.

You figured out what you wanted/needed and then figured out how to make it. I believe many such home made Shot/Hunting Pouches were made in this way during the period....

That was my idea, I wanted it to be something an early settler of limited means would do for himself with limited experience and resources.

Some pouches were made from one long piece of leather that formed the front, back and flap of the pouch with just one line of stitches on each side of the pouch.

My second pouch was done that way, single pocket, also of pigskin.

I also like your use of pigskin for this pouch. That skin (and some other leathers) was/were much more commonly used for this purpose in the period, than we do today.

Speculation on my part, but pigs were a big on the scene on the frontier and slightly later, so I thought pigskin would have been used for such projects. My pigskin doesn't resemble the home-tanned ones they would have had, but it was the best I could do.

Thanks for the kind words.

Spence

 

[George]

I do have to ask, did you stitch along the top of that folded piece that forms the back of the front pouch and the front of the back pouch?

No, it's not necessary.

Mea culpa...The double pouch was my second bag, I mistakenly said the single was also, it was my third.

Spence

 

[Pete44ru]

Very nice work, Spence.

Inspiring.

I like the way one pouch hangs slightly lower than the other.

Reminds me of something, but I can't think of what.....

+1 - Very testicular...... :rotf: