I bought this, now what do I need?

[gmww]

This solid brass English style shot flask charger head has a quick cut-off gate, operated by a side lever, which is marked to throw 1-1/2 and 1-1/4 volume of shot. The bottom of the brass charger is marked G. & J.W. Hawksley exactly as on the original antique. The brass charger head is easily unscrewed from the brass neck, included, so you can easily remove it and refill your flask.


Can someone tell me what else I need? Horn, leather? I've been needing a shot dispenser so I thought I'd try my hand on making one.

 

[Nifeman]

Personally, I'd go with leather.I have an ooold one that has a leather flask with hunting dogs carved in it and though I don't use it, it's neat...Bud

 

[gmww]

You don't happen to know where I can find a leather birdshot bag kit do you?

 

[Nifeman]

Just make a flask like you would make for a bullet bag, except for putting an extra piece of leather at the top top make the opening. I believe mine is stitched up the sides. Getting ready for bed now, but I'll see if I can get a couple of pics tomorrow night for you...Bud

 

[BrownBear]

Basically there are several ways to go. This is a rigid version and this one is soft. You could also go with a snake on a shoulder strap, or even mounted on the strap of a bag something like this.

Based on my many years of field time with shotguns, the next shotgun I get is going to be accompanied by that last example.

 

[rabjr]

Basically there are several ways to go. This is a rigid version and this one is soft. You could also go with a snake on a shoulder strap, or even mounted on the strap of a bag something like this.

Based on my many years of field time with shotguns, the next shotgun I get is going to be accompanied by that last example.

Well if he wants a snake you can make it for him. :haha: Otherwise its going to be rigid.

 

[bingo1952]

You better buy a couple of extra springs. They don't hold up too well in my experience.

 

[dlpowell]

You'll need fairly thin leather and real tight stitching to keep 'em together.

Personally I'd make a wood neck that the head could be braded to and the leather could be leather could be braded or stitched to. Then a small leather bag. A little shot weighs a lot.

I've got one of those heads that's over 150 years old with all the original parts. Works fine. Did make another bag as the original had dry rotted.
Mine has a groove at the base I stitched the leather around.

 

[omarick1948]

Well, you might guess that I am going to vote for a horn bodied flask. You don't have to worry about stitching, rotting etc. Find you a nice suitable horn and saw-off to the size you like, then make a base plug. File the spout end to fit flange on head and secure with pins and maybe a little 18th Century epoxy. These make a neat flattened horn flask also!

Rick

 

[paulvallandigham]

Get an adjustable shot measure- either the dipper kind, or an adjustable powder measure, to use to check the ACTUAL volume of shot thrown by your English Measure. Different size shot results in a wide variation in the weight of the shot thrown by that measure. I have been using an Irish measure now, but I also use a shot " dipper " to verify the amount of shot being "dropped" from my Irish measure.

I know shooters who have a series of shot and powder measures made of wood, or horn, to allow them to vary the shot loads from 5/8 oz. to 2 oz. of shot. They are carried on their bag straps, and usually have a band code that allows the shooter to choose the correct measure by Feel alone. The English measure is fine if you are shooting a 12 or 10 gauge shotgun, but Not so fine if you are shooting a 20, 24, or 28 gauge, or smaller, diameter smoothie.

 

[XXX]

Basically there are several ways to go. This is a rigid version and this one is soft. You could also go with a snake on a shoulder strap, or even mounted on the strap of a bag something like this.

Based on my many years of field time with shotguns, the next shotgun I get is going to be accompanied by that last example.

I have the soft type. I like it but I find that the neck flops away from the spout with the heavy shot collecting in the bottom of the bag. It makes it harder to use with one hand. The rigid one would probably work better, though it is probably harder to craft than the soft type. The snake mounted on the bag strap is also a good idea, but I don't seem to need enough reloads in the field to make that worthwhile.

 

[Nifeman]

Here's the photo I said I'd get for ya. Hope they help...Bud

 

[gmww]

Very cool! :thumbsup:

 

[Chilidog]

Real nice - thanks for posting. :thumbsup: