Possibles Bag -- Pictures or Patterns

[SpottedBull]

I would recommend that you buy T. C. Albert's book "Recreating the 18th Century Hunting Pouch". It includes lots of examples and a couple of patterns. I'm not sure what the definition of a "possibles bag" is, but if you're looking to make a shooting bag this is a good book. It's available from TOW.

Excellent advice!! :thumbsup:

 

[SpottedBull]

I'm no expert, but I have made a few over the years. You were asking about examples. Here are a few.

 

[Greebe]

Very nice. Thanks for the photos. I wonder if you might be able to tell me the approximate hight and width of those. I really do not have a good sense for how big I should make mine. I was thinking somewhere around 6-7" wide and around the same tall. Does that sound reasonable.

Do you sew in pockets to put your powder measure and other accessories, or is it just an open bag?

I am thinking that BrownBear is on to something and that smaller would be better.

Thanks again,
Greebe

 

[Greebe]

BTW, in the third photo you posted with the three bags, the bottom is the style is what I am wanting to make. I really like that one.

 

[Black Hand]

Very nice. Thanks for the photos. I wonder if you might be able to tell me the approximate hight and width of those. I really do not have a good sense for how big I should make mine. I was thinking somewhere around 6-7" wide and around the same tall. Does that sound reasonable.

Do you sew in pockets to put your powder measure and other accessories, or is it just an open bag?

People tend to make them very large at first, over-estimating the space needed. The dimensions you give are very similar to many of the extant 19th century bags (18th century bags don't seem to exist).

The one I made for current use is 6" wide by 7" tall (used for both a smoothbore and a rifle). You may find that attaching things to the strap is a nuisance, and the measure is more useful when attached to the horn. Most extant bags appear to be a single bag, though some double bags exist. Pockets are not really necessary.

Keeping it small will prevent it from being filled with all sorts of unnecessary things that more properly belong in a "possibles" bag (haversack, knapsack, snapsack, etc.).

 

[SpottedBull]

BTW, in the third photo you posted with the three bags, the bottom is the style is what I am wanting to make. I really like that one.

I will try and dig that pattern out of my computer and send it along to you.

I make most of my bags in that size range. I have had requests for larger ones. The bottom bag is much larger than that, around 9" tall and almost 10" wide. But in the group that I am a member of, we do not allow powder horns on the range, or loading from one. we only allow flasks of some sort that are then put back into the bag and away from any sparks. So we tend to use a larger bag.

Now I'm not saying this is right or wrong or anything in between. Its just one of our safety rules.

I sometimes add pockets, but not often. They seem to get in the way to me. But to each his own. The bag I use now has a loop sewn on the strap for my powder measure but not a pocket.

 

[BrownBear]

On the general question of "how big is too big," there's a follow-up of "how small is too small."

I kept reducing the size simply because I was carrying less, and I came up with a practical lower limit for my bags. I want them big enough inside for my balled up fist and whatever I'm grabbing, so my hand doesn't stick in the bag when I'm grabbing.

Hard to give an exact size, because I usually put gussets in bags, which makes them "thicker" so they in fact can be a little smaller than a flat bag. For example, a 5"x5" bag with a 2" gusset passes the balled fist test, but a 6"x7" flat bag won't.

 

[Black Hand]

You may wish to look here ( http://kenscottpouches.blogspot.com/ ) as well...

 

[SpottedBull]

You may wish to look here ( http://kenscottpouches.blogspot.com/ ) as well...

Great link! Ken is a very talented man!!

 

[Black Hand]

In reality, pouch architecture is somewhat speculative. As previously alluded to, examples of 18th century pouches appear to be non-existent, while we have a small collection of 19th century pouches. The pouches of today have all been inspired by the existing examples...

 

[Claude Mathis]

Once again, it's time for some here to play expert and "word games" with a new person trying to get some basic information on making a shooting pouch, that he understands as being called a "possibles" bag or pouch! __ We all know what he is talking about and it has been called that name for many years, as such, even though the historically correct S.W.A.T. team members patrol the websites and are quick to point out anything that they can start an argument over! We want to help and support new people to the traditional black powder pastime and not give them the impression that we ALL are a bunch of arm chair expert know-it-all nit-pickers!

Rick,

Although some of the replies have not been as polite as some would like, I think everyone is trying to steer the OP in the right direction.

If someone were to post that they were looking for a "flask" to carry their powder in, what would we assume? Something like this, no doubt...

But, what if the poster was really looking for was something like this...

He simply used the wrong term for a Powder Horn.

Would it be fair to say, "Flask, horn, whatever... they both carry powder."? Or, would we correct the terminology in an effort to help that person avoid future mistakes? Imagine the disappointment if someone thought they were ordered a horn and they received a flask.

 

[Greebe]

& brownbear,

I think a smaller bag would be fine. For now I Would carry an old brass powder flask, the cylindrical kind with the push button, I might be using the wrong term here. :blah: LOL So for now that would have to go inside but I would like to make a powder horn at some point to wear on the outside. I have two of the brass flask's that are the same but one is half the height. I am leaning more towards a smaller bag because I am not a huge fan of large and cumbersome things hanging off of me.

Thanks again,
Greebe

 

[Greebe]

Thanks 6 x 7 inches seems like a good size to me.

 

[Greebe]

So know if I said I wanted exactly a dolop of powder from a dispenser what would I use? :blah:

 

[Claude Mathis]

So know if I said I wanted exactly a dolop of powder from a dispenser what would I use? :blah:

For you? I recommend a "whatcha-ma-call-it" or a "thing-a-ma-jig". Everyone will know what you mean. :grin:

 

[Rifleman1776]

So know if I said I wanted exactly a dolop of powder from a dispenser what would I use? :blah:

For you? I recommend a "whatcha-ma-call-it" or a "thing-a-ma-jig". Everyone will know what you mean. :grin:

Who's on first? :surrender:

 

[Nifeman]

Just to give you another look, here is one my wife made. It measures 7x8 ...Nifeman

 

[newtewsmoke]

make a bag that YOU like, that suits YOUR needs to carry what YOU want to carry in it, and call it whatever YOU want to call it!

-i call my bag a purse, easier to say, irritates my boys when i say it tho. :nono:

-Greebe, a member called Swampy has alot of pics somewhere of alot of different bags he's made. I can't seem to find it now tho, maybe someone can point out where they are.

-Spotted Bull- NICE bags!

 

[SpottedBull]

Here are some more examples. The possibilities are endless if you have a good imagination!