Shot Bag #6

Frontiersmen of the 18th-century lived and died by their ability to reload their weapons. Whether it served to take life or provide for it, the shot pouch played a critical role in every round fired throughout the period. No frontiersman would willingly be found without one.

This bag is made from vegetable-tanned cowhide leather. The pattern is inspired by confirmed originals. This particular bag is shaped after the user’s hand; the user can touch all the contents as soon as they stick their hand in the bag. I hand sew using beeswaxed linen thread as is found in surviving original bags. Stitch counts were a mark of quality during the period. Tight, clean, straight stitching represents a serious investment of time in each piece, but one must be careful not to perforate the leather so much as to lessen its integrity. I walk that line at a consistent 8-9 stitches per inch. A welt throughout the central seam ensures that any sharp contents of the bag will not degrade the stitching.

My bags are dyed with an alcohol-based dye and finished using (1) a liquid that permeates deeply into the leather to keep it supple, and (2) a paste that brings a low shine and water resistance to the outer layer. This combination keeps the leather from drying out too much over time and extreme use. The strap features a forged buckle and several holes for adjustment. It fits me (5’10, 160lb male) in its middle position.

This bag is soon to debut in a spring 2024 NMLRA shoot video. It functioned perfectly through about 20 shots on the NMLRA woods walk.

Please contact emailfrontiertradingco@gmail.com with any comments or questions.