Vintage leather shot bag

[Kansas Jake]

I picked this up at an antique store a couple of days ago. Do I try to restore it or use the spout to make a new one? The leather around the spout area is somewhat brittle and the stitching on the bag is shot. It was machine sewn. Suggestions?

It throws 1 and 1 1/4 ounces.

The maker is AM. Flask & Cap I believe. The F is stamped pretty light.

 

[Dutch7]

That is very cool, would look great just being displayed as is in my opinion.

 

[TDM]

That’s a pretty one for sure. You can try and rehydrate the leather with a little neatsfoot oil. But maybe best to just display it, be a shame to see it fall apart.

 

[Varga]

That would look great hanging off a wall rack.

 

[Hermit Tim]

If it were mine I would probably soak it in neatsfoot oil (from tractor supply) and see how the leather improves. If it softens up and the risk of cracking isn't too great I would probably stitch it up with some artificial sinew. Unless I had some real sinew. Or, like Dutch said, would make a great display piece.

 

[Powder Flask Collector]

Very interesting shot flask with an english type charger. Probably antique. Too bad the seam is open. A damage one can often see.

The big question for me is, how to repaire it? In my opinion a repair should be attempted, although such shot flasks do not have a very high market value.

For display you could try to glue the seam.

I'm rather curious to see what the experts suggest on how to sew the seam.

 

[Brazos John]

The spout looks cool, as does the leather, but you can't use it in its current condition.
Can you replicate the leather pouch, or make a new pouch, and reuse the spout?
If not, the leather looks pretty old, so I'm not sure if it can be reconditioned.
It's a neat piece, but not especially historic, unless it's tied to someone famous.
So, the question is:
Do you want to use it (or use the spout), or do you want to display it?
You can't lose either way...

 

[Brazos John]

If you just use the spout, maybe you can find a suitable tarnished spout to replace it for a pouch display, so that you can have your wall-hanger and use it, too.

 

[Gtrubicon]

I would preserve it for display. id try to make a project of duplicatping it to have one to use.

 

[Powder Flask Collector]

Henry Krank in England has a Pedersoli shot pouch top in his shop. Pedersoli English Shot Flask Top
I saw such a top also at Dixie Gun Works (english style shot pouch charger only) as well as an English Leather moulded shot pouch from Pedersoli.
New remakes of shot flasks are also availible from manufactures in India.

Your shot pouch is very similar to the No. 1458 in Rilings book "The Powder Flask Book "

If this pouch would be mine I would try to repaire it for display

 

[andy52]

I have two of them that are still in usable condition, the upper one in the photo is exactly the same make and model as yours.
I do leather work I'd be very hesitant to try and re-stitch one, the tread used is very small and would be difficult to do by hand.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Andy52, thanks for the photo of yours. I’m inclined to preserve it. You are correct on the stitching being very fine. It would be hard to do by hand. I initially bought it to see if I could use it as is but the stitches were too far gone. It was much cheaper than just buying a spout from TOW or Dixie. Oh the dilemma.

 

[Powder Flask Collector]

I also got 2 shot pouches. One is antique and one is a reproduction.



It´s not easy to distinguish between an antique pouch and a new reproduction.

In the case of the two shot flasks shown above, the distinction is relatively easy, because the right one, new bottle has embossed the motif of the Remington powder flask: A lying dog on leaves.
But what are the characteristics to recognize a reproduction?
In my opinion, the new screws are a first indicatior.



the stitches at the seam are different. Machine sewn are both, but the stitches are tighter.



The spout is also a little different (do not look at the spring. It has been replaced)

 

[Powder Flask Collector]

Meanwhile it might be easier to send goods to the USA than to import from the UK to Germany.

I used to buy tea or good scottish whisky in England but toll and taxes are too high

Maybe this shot pouch might be interesting? Leather Shot Flask

 

[gunnyr]

View attachment 241933View attachment 241934View attachment 241935View attachment 241936
I picked this up at an antique store a couple of days ago. Do I try to restore it or use the spout to make a new one? The leather around the spout area is somewhat brittle and the stitching on the bag is shot. It was machine sewn. Suggestions?

It throws 1 and 1 1/4 ounces.

The maker is AM. Flask & Cap I believe. The F is stamped pretty light.

I believe I would display it. It's like an older woman that has a beauty that comes from age. If that
makes any sense.
Gunny

 

[French Colonial]

Please do not use sinew to sew this, in fact the skill to sew this with linen thread will be beyond the casual craftsman. Put some glue on it and use it for display or take it to someone with at least a cobblers/shoe repair level of expertise or you just trashed an artifact.

 

[andy52]

Please do not use sinew to sew this, in fact the skill to sew this with linen thread will be beyond the casual craftsman. Put some glue on it and use it for display or take it to someone with at least a cobblers/shoe repair level of expertise or you just trashed an artifact.

I'm a bit more than a casual craftsman when it comes to leather work and I don't think I'd attempt a repair on one.

 

[andy52]

I've looked at mine many times even under a glass and I'm leaning to a silk thread on those flasks.

 

[Sooty Scot]

That's a very nice flask. I think it seems to be in good enough shape to revive for display.I recall seeing the brass mechanism advertised - somewhere but can;t say where. Sorry.

If you decide to soften/revive the leather(I would), and use neatsfoot oil, make sure it is "Prime (pure) Neatsfoot oil, not "Neatsfoot Compound". The latter seems to have additives which are not ideal for leather long-term. An alternate which I've had good luck with, bringing dry, stiff leather back, is "Howard Leather Conditioner".

 

[Sooty Scot]

Please do not use sinew to sew this, in fact the skill to sew this with linen thread will be beyond the casual craftsman. Put some glue on it and use it for display or take it to someone with at least a cobblers/shoe repair level of expertise or you just trashed an artifact.

I'd avoid glue, as well. That could adversely affect it's collectable value, too. Just clean it and add a bit of natural oil (Prime Neaysfoot or Lanolin).