Possibles Bag

[snagg]

I've accumulated most everything that I need to make my possibles bag. Looked at a lot of pics and it seems that most bags have been built with the front being one piece, the back and flap being another piece, and then one long narrow piece that comprises the sides and bottom.
My question is, it seems as though there would be less sewing involved if the front, bottom, back and flap were all one piece with two smaller side panels added to complete the bag. Is there a reason it's not done the way I'm questioning?
Also, I plan to use a deer hide. Is this to soft and pliable to make a well supported bag?

I hope you's can understand what I'm trying to ask on the building of the bag panels.

snagg

I had done a search on this forum earlier to find the post of a set plans for a bag but couldn't find it. But it showed all of the individual pieces layed out.

 

[Claude Mathis]

The back and flap of my bag is one piece. It works fine.

 

[Bob Gular]

There are several ways to make a bag. Using one piece of material for the front, back and flap was a commonly employed method. one has to be careful in the layout to be sure, that if using side panels, the front at the opening is narrower than the flap portion so the flap will cover. I urge all first time makers to make a pattern from a paper grocery bag before cutting any leather. Good luck.

 

[snagg]

Thanks for the reply, fella's. I guess I was just trying to think of an easier way, or a way that would employ less sewing.
Thanks, snagg

 

[bwhoffman]

Snagg,
I sent you an email.

Brett

 

[hobbles]

Mornin snagg, well this help?
[url] http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/hobbles/pattern.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/hobbles/hbg1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/hobbles/is-shootin-bag.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/hobbles/h-s-bags.jpg[/url]

 

[snagg]

Hobbles:

That is what I had in mind.
Did you use a leather punch or an awl for making the holes??
What did you use for the stitching? It almost appears like a leather lacing.
Are you happy with the size?

Thanks for your help, snagg

 

[hobbles]

Mornin snagg.
I have a set of leather punches that I use, I lace em up. I got some lacing needles from tandy, I have a smaller one for huntin then I use for shootin, I need less stuff, I used the 2" sides for the huntin bag, seems to work for me,, anything else I can help with, let me know,,,,,,

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Hear is pic of last one I built, using Hobbles design with leather lacing.

 

[hobbles]

afternoon TANSTAAFL
Nice,,,

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Afternoon to you also.

Thanks, but one has to have a plan before starting, and thanks for posting your pattern a few months back.

 

[CrackStock]

I use linen carpet thread which I wax. Cheap, strong and period correct.

I just use a piece of brown paper bag to make a pattern similar to what was shown above and then staple it together to test out the concept. I have been known the sew it up in cloth whcih can be used as a liner or haversack later.

I try to hide the stitching by sewing it and turning it inside out which puts the seam to the inside.

CS

 

[snagg]

Great looking job. I like your other items as well.
What is the item just below your knife. It appears to be a whitish colored ponch??

Thanks for posting the pics, snagg

 

[hobbles]

afternoon snagg.
Thought I would ad 2 more,,[url] http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/hobbles/deer-head.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/hobbles/head-bg.jpg[/url]

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Great looking job. I like your other items as well.
What is the item just below your knife. It appears to be a whitish colored ponch??

Thanks for posting the pics, snagg

It is a rawhide ball pouch. They are easily made, soak rawhide in water until soft, cut as planned, sew edges, fill with dry sand or lead shot, insert plug and allow to dry.

 

[crockett]

Well you can tell from the posts there is a lot of ways to make a bag. If you want to minimize the sewing use just one long piece, one end is the front panel, the middle is the back panel, and the other end is the flap. If you make the flap long enough its own weight will tend to hold it down without any button. The type of bag I am describing is a flat sack, it does not have side panels or a gussett but the gussett really helps with pouches made from heavy leather, on a soft bag you can sew the sides "in side out" and the front and back with tend to billow out after the bag is turned right side out.
If you like more rounded bottom corners, the sides can be slightly scalloped in this area to create that effect.
As far as inside compartments, again, they work better if the leather is slightly more stiff. On a soft bag you may want to consider just one large compartment. A lot of these decisions depend on how you plan to shoot. For example will you be carrying a bullet board around your neck or use loose balls from the bag? Will you blow down the barrel between shots or use a wet patch between shots to swab the bore? Do you carry a priming horn or leather capper on the bag's strap? If you only have to go to the bag for one or two items you can take all the "back up" stuff- tools, etc- and wrap them in some spare ticking and then sort of create a compartmentalized bag with what you need conveniently on top of the bundle. In any event you have to walk through exactly what you will do while shooting and where each item you will need is to be located- good luck and have fun.

 

[snagg]

Crackstock:
I'll have to look into the linen carpet thread, period correct isn't real important to me know, but I do like cheap and strong. Thanks for the input.
snagg

 

[snagg]

Hobbles:
The last two pics are great. You do some fine work.
I did my layout work today for my bag out of scrap and hope to start the real thing in a day or so. Thanks for your help.
snagg

 

[snagg]

Tanstaafl: I'll have to keep that ball bag in the back of my mind, perhaps something to add later. Right now I plan on taking only a few balls into the woods hunting. Hopefully that should be enough.
Not trying to be funny, but couldn't a person use a bucks sac??
Thanks, snagg

 

[snagg]

Crockett:
I saw a pic of the flat sack type bag in " The Mountain Men " by George Laycock. It looked nice and easy.
I decided to add side panels, a small side pocket for the ball starter and a small compartment on the inside for a couple items. The main compartment will remain mostly open.
I will be making a ball board but at this point am uncertain as where to put it. More than likely it will hang on the outside of bag.
I made a powder horn a bit ago. But for priming I will use the brass dispenser type, at least for this year.
What is a leather capper?
This is my first year hunting with a flintlock, so I'm going thru quite a learning curve. I'm certain that as time goes on and I build some experience I will more than likely change some of my equipment.
Thanks for all your help and suggestions, snagg