Hair-on Cowhide...Project Suggestions?

[jetcanoe]

Howdy!

Just came in possession of a gorgeous 2x3' piece of hair-on cowhide. Its a really nice tiger stripe or brindle pattern. Been digging through books to get some ideas for possibles bags, etc I could make with it. Any suggestions or pictures are appreciated. But at the same time I though it would be cool to hear any PC considerations for hair-on cowhide regarding 18th Century accoutrements from you re-enactor folks.

Kind of a rambling question, sorry! Just excited about how nice this piece of leather is and wanted to do something real nice with it.

Thanks!
-Jet

 

[rabjr]

I think it makes a really neat bag! Make one! :thumbsup:
http://www.nimrodsplace.com/calfbag5.jpg
http://www.nimrodsplace.com/dadsbag3.jpg
http://www.nimrodsplace.com/neriflebag7.jpg

 

[qtrhrs7]

Jet,

I agree with Swamp. The alternating colors on the calfskin bag are wonderful! If your hide is close to that one, I believe you should try it.
Good luck! :thumbsup:

Bud.

 

[blacksmithman64]

Swampy is THE MASTER of shootin bags made out of leather! However I have been cutting up a cowhide rug myself...

 

[blacksmithman64]

And heres a quiver, I couldn't get the pic to stick to my other post!

 

[dsuursoo]

2x3' peice... make a nice hat.

if you had more to the tune of oh... 6x6' or so i'd suggest making a coat.

if you're a skinny guy.. it takes more like a 6x8 peice for me, but i've got these broad shoulders and a barrel chest.

 

[Brasilikilt]

I would make a knapsack or large bag, similar to what was carried by British soldiers in the F&I war period.

Supposedly keeping the hair on makes it more waterproof.

 

[dsuursoo]

I would make a knapsack or large bag, similar to what was carried by British soldiers in the F&I war period.

Supposedly keeping the hair on makes it more waterproof.

ooo... got a pattern for that? it looks simple, but murphy's first law is 'nothing is as easy as it looks'