Simple barktan pouch

This is a simple, lightweight pouch made from a single piece of bark-tanned deer hide. The strap is cowhide with an aged steel buckle.  A leather cord with a small section of antler tine serves as closure. It measures 8" tall by 7" wide and has a small pocket on the inside back.

Large decorated pigskin pouch

Large bag made from pig skin.  It has rolled bindings and a large gusset with fringed welts.  The flap is decorated with a hunter's star and the body is decorated with compass flowers and vines.  The strap is cowhide with an iron buckle. Inside, there is a hanging inside pocket. The flap is lined with ticking and the inside body is lined with artists' canvas.  It is about 9" x 9" and is very roomy.

 

 

Squirrel gun pouch

This pouch was made for gunmaker Jack Hansberry for use with a squirrel rifle.  The body is made of pigskin and the strap is cowhide.  The bag has a fringed welt, rolled bindings, ticking-lined flap and an interior pocket on the back wall. The flowers and vines design, burned into the leather, were inspired by paintings on the stock of a well-known trade gun from the 1760's made by John Bumford of London.  This bag was featured on the Contemporary Makers Blog (http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2013/06/hunting-pouch-by-eric-ewing-for.html).

 

 

Simple beavertail flap bag

Jim Webb's book provided the inspiration for these.  Here are a few different bags in this style I have made.  They differ slightly with respects to their body shape, pocket construction, and the finishes used on them.

 

This particular bag was featured in the Contemporary Makers Blog (http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2013/05/hunting-pouch-by-eric-ewing.html).  False repairs were added after applying a finish.

 

 

This is the same bag more or less, a little bit more refined, with no aging, and a slightly more rounded body.

 

 

 

Large decorated pouch

Shot pouch with rolled bindings

This bag was featured on the Contemporary Makers blog (http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2013/04/hunting-pouch-by-eric-ewing.html).  It has an inside pocket and all of the edges are rolled.  It is aged and dyed a rich brown color.  The flap is lined with ticking.

Here is a larger version of this bag.  This one has a gusset for more capacity and a bridge connecting the flap to the body.

Heart-shaped pouch

This is my version of the classic heart-shaped pouch. A combination welt/gusset goes up the sides and attaches to the carry strap, which has an oval iron buckle.  Inside there is a small pocket made of pillow ticking.

Small decorated pouch

 This simple pouch is constructed from 2 pieces of leather, the main body folded three times with a full welt divider.  It uses a smaller antler tine button for closure, and the flap is decorated with the image of a running deer.  Inside, a small section of leather is sewn over the button attachment to prevent snags.

 

 

My second bag

This bag measures about 8" wide by 8" deep and is made from 3/4 oz cowhide.  It has rolled bindings and a wide gusset that goes about halfway up each side, and straps for attaching a powder horn. Inside it has a convenient hanging pocket for balls, patches, etc.  I was very happy with the staining process, which included a mix of vinegar/iron stain followed by Fiebings dye.  The flap is lined with pillow ticking.

First bag I made

This is the first bag I made, an interpretation of a well-known early pouch from Virginia in the collection of Wallace Gusler.  It was made from 3/4 oz veg tan cowhide and has a series of pewter buttons for adjustment of the shoulder strap and horn straps.  It was enjoyable for a first effort to learn the basics and it is quite serviceable as well.  It was my first experience using the homemade stain known as ferric acetate.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I make shot pouches and other accoutrements for use with black powder firearms. I look at original bags for inspiration and use traditional materials and techniques.  I started when I discovered I needed a shot pouch for my first flintlock rifle, and was unsatisfied with inexpensive offerings nor was I able to purchase a quality bag. Being pleased with my first pouch, and enjoying the process, I started making them for fun, for friends and for sale.  I hope to learn more and keep making bags and other items.  Your comments and suggestions are welcome, thanks again for looking.