shot tube from leftover leather

[Silex]

Making the converted knapsack I had some leather left over from the flap, so I decided to try my hand at my second shot tube. The first one a while ago is usable (not really nice though) - but the second one will be used for different shot size.

I used a piece of elderberry stem for the spout. The plug is a simple piece of cherry twig. The big tab I planned for attaching a thong but it doesn't look nice, maybe I'll cut it smaller/off. It would have been probably better to sew on two tabs: one at the spout and one at the bottom. Next time then - as Bill proposed in the knapsack thread I should have made one from fabric first and tried out before. Oh well ...






Thanks for looking,
Silex

 

[TinStar]

Looks good!!

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[BrownBear]

Works well for me. I really like it and the "spirit" behind it- making do with the materials you have at hand. Can't get more authentic than that!

On the practical side, I'll be interested in your reaction after using it a while. I use my flasks/tubes/etc with gloves a fair bit, and soft leather is kinda hard for me to track and manage, especially when they get lower than about half full. They get all floppy and I end up chasing the shot around while loading.

I've switched to hard leather for mine, but if you come up with a better way to use the soft leather version, I'll be all ears. The soft leather sure stows and carries better, since I keep mine inside my shooting bag rather than hanging.

 

[S.Kenton]

I like that.. simple and to the point!

 

[David Brockett]

I wouldn't be so critical, I think it came out fine plus you found a use for that old leather flap! I have been making leather covered copper tubes for my ball containers. They fit inside my smaller shooting bag and dispense the balls easily after I flare the top a little. I know they had copper tubes way back when but my guess is this may not pass muster as perfectly period correct.

 

[Jaeger]

Fits in with the pioneer spirit: don't waste anything! Instead, make something useful. If you use it and find out it doesn't work well, you can refine the design.

 

[Silex]

Thanks again for all the replies.
I will be trying it in the field and then tell you how it worked. One refinement from the previous one is the spout because I found out that soft leather without the spout doesn't dispense well or too much.

Thanks again,
Silex

 

[BrownBear]

One refinement from the previous one is the spout....

That reminds me of an impulse I haven't acted upon. My thinking is a guy could make a spout from saddle skirting or some other heavy leather in the 8oz-12oz range, then sew the thinner leather directly to that, rather than lashing. Ought to look pretty cool and be functional.

Thanks for reminding me. Now all I have to do is do it! :wink: