Possible bag set up

[Coinneach]

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet…”

I have a deep appreciation for muzzleloading and historical re-enactment culture, but this hobby seems to attract some of the most fanatical individuals who can get caught up in the most trivial of debates.

It’s got to be a real turn off to those who are new to the pursuit, watching folks quibble over such things.

It can get that way dependent on who's involved, I've come to believe over the years that most people are at different levels of commitment and equipage etc; so a goodly dose of understanding and tolerance is required from those of us "further down the road".

 

[Grenadier1758]

Sadly, the First of Foote has been getting some new recruits of an age more likely to be grenadiers than this old man. They claim they need me around to show them how it should be done. And yes, they expect me to pull all sorts off possible supplies out of my three bags. I'm ready to start the Invalid Company.

 

[Coinneach]

Sadly, the First of Foote has been getting some new recruits of an age more likely to be grenadiers than this old man. They claim they need me around to show them how it should be done. And yes, they expect me to pull all sorts off possible supplies out of my three bags. I'm ready to start the Invalid Company.

As we reenactors age the reality hits us, after retirement we had the means and time to buy all the necessary gear and commit to a worthwhile group; then as we get older (post 70 years IMHO) our strength and endurance begins to be eroded.

That old saying "Youth is wasted on the Young" really does hit us in the face at our age.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@Coineach, you are welcome to join the Invalid Company.

 

[Coinneach]

@Coineach, you are welcome to join the Invalid Company.

Why not !
Are real teeth allowed ?

 

[Grenadier1758]

As long as you can bite the end off a cartridge.

 

[Coinneach]

As long as you can bite the end off a cartridge.

Most of my teef are intact.

Do you have a link to the Invalid Company ?

 

[Grenadier1758]

No, @Coineach, I'm still part of the First Royal Regiment of Foot. The Invalid Company is still a concept. But the First afoot is on Facebook.

 

[Bark-eater]

@Coineach, you are welcome to join the Invalid Company.

It would be far less of a stretch for me to portray a mustered out 60 year old, than a fresh face private. And "possibly" the world powers at the time would have other priority's than concern themselves with what I call my satchel, or my personal grooming standards for that matter...

 

[Packrat]

I have two different bags; one is used with the minimum of items for a day shoot. The other is used for treaking, it would have everything the day bag has plus everything I think I might need to live off the land.

 

[Cullie]

I ordered this kit and had fun assembling it. Pretty nice bag. I went with the no fringe option for now, may add it later if I get bored.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Lets take a look at a couple of pouches from paintings by Carl Bodmer from the 1830's. when he was the painter who recorded the events of the Western trip of Maxmillian.View attachment 23658
This is an image of a hunter living in New Harmony, Ohio. Hunting is not a lucrative profession. His shoes are tied, no expensive buckles. He has a flintlock rifle on his shoulder. One fairly large horn, there is no visible separate priming horn. The shot pouch is relatively small, just large enough to reach inside with his hand, I would guess its about 8" wide and about the same depth. The flap is small to get our of the way easily. The horn is on a separate strap.

The next image is of a naturalist named Leseuer who was also in New Harmony, Ohio at the time Bodmer was passing through. Leseuer was probably using a fowling piece to collect birds for study. He has a large pouch with a hair on flap.View attachment 23659

I don't see a horn. He has a sling on the fowling piece.

These are only two examples, but you can see that size can be dependent on the intended use of the pouch.

I have some examples from paintings by Carl Bodmer when he was the painter for Maximillian.

It is interesting to see the difference in the size of the pouches between the hunter and the naturalist. The hunter has a small pouch for his rifle and the naturalist has a large pouch for use with the fowling gun.

 

[oreclan]

That’s a fair point. However, I would encourage you to conduct a search for the terms ‘shot bag’ or ‘shot pouch’ using your preferred search engine and observe the results. It is likely you may encounter difficulty finding precisely what you are looking for (as I did).

Please understand, my intent is not to be argumentative, but rather to emphasize the importance of precise (or generally accepted) terminology to prevent potential confusion.

It begs the question… if the term “shot bag” or “shot pouch” refers to a receptacle for shooting-related accessories, what term should be used to describe a bag or pouch specifically designed to hold shot for a smoothbore firearm?

You are beating a dead horse!
A particular term is only relative to the time period in which it is used.
Usage changes over time.
In a traditional hobby the vocabulary should reflect the time period that you are attempting to replicate.

 

[Coinneach]

You are beating a dead horse!
A particular term is only relative to the time period in which it is used.
Usage changes over time.
In a traditional hobby the vocabulary should reflect the time period that you are attempting to replicate.

I've always been disappointed that authenticity isnt applied among the purists when it comes to demographics, at least reasonable percentages of them should be infected by various STD's; Scurvy; Dysentery; Small pox; Genital rashes; Lice and various verminous body afflicting skin disorders.

Why is it that the diseased population of 18-19th century Soldiers, Explorers; Settlers and Mountain men are deliberately ignored ?

 

[French Colonial]

Why can the pouch on your side not have multiple names then and now, as an example..

If I said you had on tennis shoes, gym shoes, trainers, basketball shoes etc. would you know what I meant.

Why must some be so rigid, yes words mean things but sometimes lots of words can describe one thing.

Edit, And I forgot sneakers and Red Ball Jets, anyone have a pair of Red Ball Jets "run a little faster, jump a little higher" man I thought those were the greatest.

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

Why can the pouch on your side not have multiple names then and now, as an example..

If I said you had on tennis shoes, gym shoes, trainers, basketball shoes etc. would you know what I meant.

Why must some be so rigid, yes words mean things but sometimes lots of words can describe one thing.

Nailed it! ‘Nuff said.

 

[Ben Meyer]

I probably have too much in mine. My thinking is, if im going to the range for several hours, I bring my wooden range box that has literally everything including a spare lock. It's not super big, but it's heavy. But sometimes I just want to shoot a little or do a woods walk and don't need the big box. In the bag, besides balls, patches and patch knife, I have a Flint wallet with some different jags, cleaning pouches, a little spray bottle of moose milk, knapping tool, powder measure, and pick.

 

[Brokennock]

The issue isn't what you personally call your own stuff. It never has been. The issue is that the word/s is not what the item was called at the time,,,, and many of you insist on telling people outside of the "hobby" that it was. And this applies to many things that get argued over here in the same way.
Call you bag, on your own, whatever you want, but when someone asks about it on the range or out someplace you encounter the public, a shot pouch is a shot pouch, not a "possibles bag." Same goes for discussions within the community about gear and methods. Knowing the common misuse of the terms, when someone asks a question about a "possibles bag," I'm going to have to ask them to define their terms. Are they actually asking a out a shot pouch or are they asking about a bag for generalized stuff?

When you are gathering your stuff to leave for a shoot or hunt and can't find it and want to ask your significant other, "where's my "possibles bag?" in your best fake "mountainy man" voice,,,, go for it. But please stop telling the outside public that the people who would have originally used such a bag called it that.
You want to put your wife's apron around your tighty-whiteys and call it a breechcloth and then your bathrobe and call it a hunting frock and go shoot or hunt, and use your little short stick to start the ball? Go for it. But don't tell people this is what they wore and how it was done in the frontier and colonial days.

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

I’m sorry, Brokennock, but I think you’re taking this a bit too far. I’m trying to understand where you’re coming from, but I find myself unable to relate.

Despite insistence that this isn’t a matter of the evolution of language, language can and does evolve; terms like “possibles bag” have become widely used in the modern muzzleloading community, even if they weren’t the exact terms used historically. Insisting that everyone adopt strict period-correct terminology in every context—especially on casual forums or at public events—feels unnecessary and elitist.

Most people using the term “possibles bag” aren’t out there claiming it’s historically accurate; they’re using it as a convenient, recognizable term. And if someone asks about it, a simple explanation suffices without making it a major issue.

As I’ve already alluded to, you can’t go to Townsends, Track of the Wolf, Crazy Crow Trading Post, Leatherman, or virtually any other muzzleloading shooting supply store, and find the bags were referencing using the term “shot bag” in the search bar. The fact of the matter is that your insistence it be called such isn’t going to change that. Why would I use the term “shot bag” when talking to someone new to the hobby if it’s only going to make it harder for them to find one through an internet search?

Your comment comes across as dismissive and condescending, which can unintentionally create barriers to open and respectful dialogue. I believe fostering a sense of mutual respect and constructive engagement should be the cornerstone of any community, including ours. From what I’ve seen, you seem like a very knowledgeable and insightful person, and I’m confident your intentions come from a good place. However, tone matters, and a softer, more considerate approach would likely encourage others to engage with your ideas more positively and productively.

It’s funny to me, because the guys in my club never waste time arguing about this kind of stuff. Most of them have 50+ years in the hobby, and we’re too busy discussing things that actually matter to get caught up in pointless debates!