How to load a shotgun - 1783

[BillinOregon]

Many Klatch, this is a fine thread, and thanks for starting it.
Does anyone know what a pudding shot bag is?

 

[Many Klatch]

Bill, a pudding bag was used to cook puddings back in the day. The puddings were round like a cannon ball. So a pudding bag shot pouch would be a spherical leather bag. I have seen paintings and engravings of hunters from this time period with small round bags hung at their waist.

The next thing to come up with is the brass nozzle. The Irish style shot charger that Dixie sells http://www.dixiegunworks.com/popup_image.php?pID=7867 comes close but pictures of Irish chargers from the period don't seem to have the spring loaded gate off to one side.

I have been trying to rustle up some brass parts that will fit tightly inside of each other so I can build one for myself. I was thinking maybe a brass 12 ga shotgun shell and a brass 16 ga shell might fit tight enough.

Many Klatch

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Klatch,

Pm me your email and i will try to send you a quick pic of the older style head with the scoop out of it so you can see the spring setup

 

[BillinOregon]

MK: Thanbks. I happen to have 16 and 12 gauge brass shotshells at hand if you need a pair.
The pudding bag puch must be simply an interpretation of the shape; everything I can find on actual pudding bags says they were one square yard of linen, well cleaned.

:hmm:

 

[pargent]

My wife still makes xmass puddings in the bag , yes the cloth is usualy calico about 2 ft square , the mixture is placed in the center of the cloth which is then pulled up around the mixture into a ball shape and tied off with string. It would be possible to make bages of shot like this but it would be fidley making them to suite a 12 or 20 bore .

 

[Many Klatch]

So we are talking about a 1 or 2 foot square piece of lightweight leather or heavy canvas, gathered up and tied around the base of a brass shot nozzle then. It could have gores cut out and sewed up to make it smoother, but you would really have to make sure of the seams.

Many Klatch

 

[Many Klatch]

Bill, how close do they fit inside one another? Do you think that would work?

Many Klatch

 

[Many Klatch]

I found this on TOW's website. I wonder if this could be called a "pudding shaped shot bag". http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/99/1/FLASK-IR-L

Many Klatch

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Not so much constructed in the same manner as a pudding bag but having the similar blivitous look of same. A picture has been sent to you of one Many Klatch

 

[BillinOregon]

Many Klatch, the 16 gauge hull fits inside the 12-gauge hull with perhaps a 16th of an inch of play. This could be taken up with some tarred or waxed windings of hemp or linen thread ...

 

[pargent]

Just checked the complete series of Morier's paintings there is only the 2 stalls in your post, none of the others show any trace of stalls. In fact shearches of equipment lists still show no stalls at all anywhere , it has been sujested that the painting in question was finished in studio at a later date . :idunno:

 

[Bill Bizoff]

-77-
(August 28, 1762)
LIEUT. ALEXANDER 3AILLIE TO COL. HENRY BOUQUET
[3. 11., Add. MSS. 21648, f. 341, A. D. S.J
Return of the Weight of the Cloathing, Arms, Accoutrements,
Airjr.unition, Provision, Necessary's &C? of a S
upon a March.
Weight
Ibs.
A Regimental Coat, with Hooks, Eyes, frc?- - - - - 5.
Waistcoat ------------- 2.
Pair of Breeches ---------- 1.
Hat with 1
cockade, Button, Loop, & Hair Stringj 1.
A Shirt with Sleeve Buttons ----------- 1.
A Stock with a Buckle.
A Pair Knee Buckles.
A Pair Stocking & Garters,
A Pair Shoes vdth Buckles ------------ 1.
A Regimental Firelock, with a
Sling & Buckle f 11.
Hammer Cap & Stopper]
h. Waist Belt with a Buckle - - - -
H Hanger, Sword Knot, and Scabbcrd -------- 2.
A Bayonet and Scabbord -------------- l.
A Tomahawk, and Cover ---- Bill

 

[pargent]

Yes I have since found some more imfo they apear to have been popular with some officers serving in America and state milita units , Washington loved them .Experienced British troops couldn't wait to loose them it was seamingly worth being charged for them out of their stoppages, ( an unneccary pestelence )