I bought a new purse. Don't judge me yet.

[TarponStalker]

I've needed another shooters bag for some time now and asked my wife to keep her eyes open for a purse that could be converted. I was on the water this weekend when she text me a photo asking me if this is what I was looking for. Of course I said "buy it." At $25 I can't go too far wrong since its brand new with thick leather. I need to replace the shiny latch thing with a deer horn button or similar if I can. The strap also needs to be lengthened. Other than that I think it will work fine.
If memory serves, someone else on here converted an old purse to a shooters bag but that's been years ago and I can't find the post.

Its been a while since I've posted photos so I hope this works the first time.
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx243/TarponStalker/photo 78.jpg
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx243/TarponStalker/photo 77.jpg
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx243/TarponStalker/photo 79.jpg

 

[necchi]

That'll work just fine.
I've seen plenty of guy's try using a "purse" and it still looks like a purse. In this case I think you'll be just fine.

 

[omarick1948]

I guess it could work, but the leather looks pretty heavy for a shooting bag and that lacing will always make it look like a purse.

Here's the Tandy kit for that purse. http://www.tandyleather.com/en-usd/home/department/kits/44365-00.aspx

JMHO

 

[Stumpkiller]

I never make fun of a muzzleloader or his (or her) equipment until after I've seen them shoot. ;-)

I have one I made from a Tandy pattern book for blackpowder shooters - not that bag but then again it didn't come out looking anything like the one they showed on the cover. But it still worked fine.

I made the little tool roll, too. Still use that and it's a good design.

Made but didn't care for the shot snake - constantly hung up on the brush I hunt in.

 

[hanshi]

I really like your tool roll; think I might try my hand at one. I keep my eyes open for a good leather purse I can turn into a shooting bag but most of what I see are the artificial leather ones. And it's sometimes hard to tell real leather from the fake.

 

[TarponStalker]

Stumpy I love the tool pouch. I need one myself. Especially since this bag doesn't have any internal pouches.
Hanshi, one thing I've noticed on this bag is the strong leather smell. So I assume its real. But you're right it's hard to tell sometimes
When I get time I'm gonna work on making it look more like a shooting bag. But I don't think the deer will care what it looks like. I like the hard sides since its easier to find my junk in the bottom of the bag.

 

[Rifleman1776]

My first shooting bag was a Tandy purse kit. And, it looked like a purse. :redface: I left it in camp and never used it. It was also my first leather carving project. It is still kicking around with my 'stuff' someplace.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I've made several pouches from the pattern in the Stephen Dowd Hughes book. You end up with a shooting pouch that looks like a shooting pouch. In some respect there's too many pockets inside it, but you have the ability to organize your gear. Mine have held up for close to thirty years. I should have used something other than red felt for the insert material.

This is the second pouch I made with my pathetic excuse for a Hawken rifle since it wasn't made by Pedersoli.

I prefer the leather insert to the fabric.

 

[Alden]

That'll hold much. Saw a guy with a shooting bag like it just yesterday who shoots a target Jaeger offhand at rendezvous.

The bottom actually makes it more useful for a general shooting bag than something just to get you through a day or three afield. The stitching on the edge of the flap reinforces it/absorbs wear and tear. You can always replace it with a colored leather thong that also coordinates with your kit -- they DID embellish gear as you know.

 

[Dean2]

I've needed another shooters bag for some time now and asked my wife to keep her eyes open for a purse that could be converted. I was on the water this weekend when she text me a photo asking me if this is what I was looking for. Of course I said "buy it." At $25 I can't go too far wrong since its brand new with thick leather. I need to replace the shiny latch thing with a deer horn button or similar if I can. The strap also needs to be lengthened. Other than that I think it will work fine.
If memory serves, someone else on here converted an old purse to a shooters bag but that's been years ago and I can't find the post.

Its been a while since I've posted photos so I hope this works the first time.
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx243/TarponStalker/photo 78.jpg
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx243/TarponStalker/photo 77.jpg
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx243/TarponStalker/photo 79.jpg

That was probably my post and the bag you bought looks almost identical to the one I converted years back. It will do a great job and that thick leather holds up really well. It also doesn't close over on itself so easy to see and reach into. You can easily add a pocket and or a full separation. The pocket you sow to the back wall and the separation you sew or lace to the bottom and side walls.

The new bag will serve you well.

 

To many people, it will always look like a 1970's purse, due to the "lacing".

 

[Black Hand]

And the fact it is built like a purse and not a gun bag...

 

[Artificer]

I don't know how large the purse is, but IF there is enough leather to make a pouch large enough for your purposes, you could always cut the leather inside the lacing lines and sew it up to get rid of the lacing. OR as LaBonte has pointed out in the 19th century, they laced shooting bags together by punching holes and wrapping the lace around the edges. So maybe punch some additional holes between the current holes and wrap the lace around the edges of the bag?

Please understand these are only suggestions and not in any way meant as trying to tell you what to do.

Gus

 

[rijerolmon]

This particular Tandy kit can be quite easily "modified" to look and serve better as a shooting bag. Remove the lacing around the bag,you will now have three pieces(four if you separate the joined gusset at the bottom). Cut the tops of gusset piece to remove the strap, leave length enough to turn the top edges of the gusset under the flap to shed water. Reattach the strap to the back of the bag,this is a good time to add a pocket to the inside of the back.You can now reassemble the parts by putting the flesh sides together and "whip"lacing over the edges. Using a wider lacing will help in filling the punched holes and better cover the edges.The application of Neatsfoot oil or leather conditioner to the flesh sides of the parts prior to reassemble will help to make the leather a bit more flexable. Look to Goodwill or other "thrift" store for LEATHER for pockets and belts to cut lacing from. Good project and worth it in self satisfaction.

 

[Alden]

I like the idea of changing the lacing on the flap of the OP's bag to a "whip stitch" that wraps around the bottom -- seems more useful for real world work to protect the edge of the flap though that thick leather may outlive us all. Could use some colorful ribbon too...

 

[Loyalist Dave]

That's not a bad find. I'd a picked it up for that price. Considering what the leather suppliers are charging for wide, cowhide strapping these days, I'd say it was a bargain.

OK so it looks like a purse...so what. There is plenty of good leather there that can with a little bit of work be transformed into a rather nice shooting bag.

LD

 

[necchi]

Ignore the Nay Sayers; They didn't read this part

asked my wife to keep her eyes open for a purse that could be converted.

These guy's are all on the right track with sage advice;

there is enough leather to make a pouch large enough for your purposes,

can be quite easily "modified" to look and serve better as a shooting bag.

I'd a picked it up for that price,,, I'd say it was a bargain.,,
There is plenty of good leather there that can with a little bit of work be transformed into a rather nice shooting bag.

I'd make it a little narrower too

 

[Black Hand]

For about ~$10-15 in leather and a couple hours of time, a gun bag resembling existing examples could easily have been made.

I understand the desire to simplify, but it can work against us at times...

 

[necchi]

Yeah, but I'm not so old I've forgotten my humble beginnings and early attempts/errors, it's how I learned.
Here's another topic/photo that deserves a good bashing about; http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/296363/

Here we go again, I didn't see this topic in the Historically Correct section.
:v

 

[TarponStalker]

Thanks for the feedback. I like the ideas of adding a divider and maybe an internal pouch. Doubt I will have the time in the next few months so it'll have to do its job looking like a purse.
I'll probably be looking for info from y'all later on ideas how to make the internal changes.
After I wad it up and beat it against a tree a few times maybe it won't look like a purse. Just kidding. Other than the latch I'm not too concerned what it looks like if it works.