Mark Elliott Early Virginia Shot Pouch

Most of the hunting pouches made these days are relatively complicated affairs using designs from the early to middle 19th century. If you want a bag that is proper for the 18th century, take a close look at this bag.

There are very few examples of hunting pouches from the 18th century.  So, I was fortunate to be able to study an original early Virginia pouch that matches the size and construction of another published (Clash of Empires exhibition catalog, p. 30) pouch known to date to the period of the French and Indian War.  This original Virginia bag was documented by Wallace Gusler in the December 2009 Muzzle Blasts(pp. 4-8).

The original one piece pouch is square at the bottom (although the corners look rounded due to use) and stitched up the sides with a very fine stitch very close to the edge. A divider that is open at the bottom serves as a welt between the front and the back of the bag. A pewter flap button is anchored to a stag horn button on the inside of the pouch. The stag horn button was covered by a round piece of leather that served to prevent the user's hand from catching on the button. The flap extends approximately halfway down the front of the bag and has a slight beaver tail shape with a welted edge.

The original bag did not have a strap attached and was missing part of the leather at one attachment point. However, there was evidence of a strap stitched to one side and a button hole on the other side. Wallace Gusler indicated in his article that he believed two linked buttons (as in a cufflink) connected the strap to the bag using the button hole.

I have made a number of hunting pouches based on this original. I have generally maintained the size and shape but varied the construction (i.e. external vs. internal stitching), the type of strap (i.e. leather vs. woven) and the type of attachment (i.e. location and number of buttons) for the strap. The original pouch actually appears to have rounded corners due to wear, and I made several copies that way before I realized that it was an optical illusion. Even in this very close copy, I still rounded the corners slightly in order to give the bag a finished look.

Not having Russia leather which was most likely used to create the original, I created my copy of the original using  3-4 oz. vegetable tanned cowhide which I stained using vinegar and iron.  This particular bag is just about the same size as the original at approximately 7.25" wide X 7" high. Just like the original, this pouch has a center divider as the welt and is stitched up the sides. I rolled and hemmed the edge of the flap instead of using a welted edge because of the thicker leather that I use. I maintained the same flap button attachment as the original with a stag horn button used as an anchor for a pewter flap button with a leather cover sewed over the internal stag horn button.

As for the strap, I attached it in a manner as close to the original as I could ascertain. One end of the strap is stitched to the right side (as worn on the right side), and the other end is attached to the bag using a single small pewter button anchored to another small pewter button on the inside of the pouch. The strap may then be seasonally adjusted using buttonholes in the end of the strap. I have punched four buttonholes for about 4" of adjustment.

The original pouch was decorated with stamped stars. Consequently, I made a matching stamp and decorated my pouch in a similar manner, only adding diagonal lines reminisent of English checkering patterns.

I attched to the bag a Virginia banded screw-tip horn that might have been available in the Valley of Virginia as early as the French and Indian War. The horn is approximately 15" around the outsite curve with a 2 3/4" base plug. The base plug and stopper are turned walnut with the base plug attached with wooden pegs. The screw-tip and band are horn. The screw-tip is dyed to match the walnut. Hand forged staples are installed in the the base plug and throat for the attachment of the hangers. The hangers are attached to the bag strap with buttons just as the strap is attached to the bag. The horn is dyed yellow with aquafortis and appropriatedly aged.

As with all my recreated pouches and horns, I try to made them look used. That means adding wrinkles, puckers, a few cracks, some stains and blemishes, and a bit of dirt and oil. I try not to overdue it so that the function of the bag is compromised.

You might think that this bag is too small at about 7" square.  I can assure you that it is not.   Period documentation indicates that most longhunters carried hunting pouches of this size.  They would just carry what they needed to shoot the gun. This generally meant a bullet mould, some bullets, patches, tow, and a wiper. A powder horn and powder measure with a vent pick and brush were generally hung from the strap. 

In my bag, I keep some tow, a strip of pre-lubricated pillow ticking, five balls, two flints wrapped in leather, and a turn screw of some sort. This bag is plenty big for that. I hang a pan brush, vent pick, and powder measure from the pouch strap. I carry a power horn on a separate strap, and I hang a small knife around my neck in a neck sheath. This is certainly all you need for a day of hunting and more than you need to carry to the line when shooting at the range.

Copy and photos supplied by Mark Elliott.