Hunting Pouch by Chris Barker

When I went to the Prairie State Longrifle Show at Princeton, Illinois last summer Jerry Noble gave me a hunting pouch I had made for him in 1978. After I brought it home I posted a photo of it on the Contemporary Makers site.  While later looking through my collection of muzzle loading accessories I found enough to make a complete hunting outfit from 1978.  Rifle builder George Potter delivered a fine iron mounted Western Virginia rifle to me that year.  Images of that George Potter rifle No. 15 are posted on the Thursday, September 15, 2010 Blog.  He had made a powder horn that I admired sometime in the early 1970s.  I traded him out of the horn for something that I can't now remember.  Horner Barry Anderson scrimshawed the horn.  I have used it for three and a half decades.  And now it is part of the 1978 pouch and horn set.  Barry also made the beautiful antler powder measure that is attached to the horn.  Working together Barry and I made the first of what we considered to be a "primitive" pick and brush set, and we made our first knife casting the tang of a blade into an antler handle with our version of casting pewter.  It's Lyman No. 2 alloy by the way.  That again was in 1978.  We made many other pick and brush sets and bag knives after that.  Sometime around 1978 Jerry Noble obtained a beautiful small hatchet or bag ax.  I worked on him trying to get it for a very long time and finally talked him out of it about ten years ago.  Last fall I made a scabbard for that little ax, and stitched it to the back of the bag.  I filed a rattle snake tail into the handle of that first knife Barry and I made together nearly a decade later.

Now that all of these things are together I am going to give them to Jerry Noble...  Partly a Christmas present and partly a thank you for the hospitality he has shown me in his lovely antique filled home over many years.

Photos and copy supplied by Chris Barker.

Hunting Pouches by Jerry Fisher and Chris Barker

One of the things that inspired me to start making hunting pouches was a lovely bag made by Jerry Fisher in the early 1970s. George Potter bought this bag from Lew Sanchez at Friendship in the early

1970s.  That bag inspired me to make the one I made for Jerry Noble in 1978. George delivered my wonderful iron mounted longrifle on November 10, 1978 (the Marine Corps birthday I might add).  I managed to talk him out of his powder horn but not the Jerry Fisher bag.  I'm still trying...

Copy and photos supplied by Chris Barker.

2014 CLA Live Auction: Chris Barker Hunting Pouch Set

Chris Barker has donated a complete hunting pouch rig.  Chris designed the bag and constructed the rig, doing all of the leather work. 

The material for the bag was donated by Joel Ketonen of the Dallas Muzzle Loading Gun Club,  The accouterments were purchased from noted artisans.  The Southern banded horn and powder measure were made by Mark Ewing, the hand forged buckles and vent pick are from Wilde Weavery, the lining material is from Burnley and Trowbridge.  Jeff White made the knife and Chris notes “The knife is really sharp.  I like to play with anything that shoots, but am scared of the possibility of cutting myself.”

The pan brush is a recycled from a 38 special and a shoe brush.  This bag is roomy.  Sewn with 5 cord unbleached linen thread, it is completely appropriate to the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Everything on the bag is readily detachable so you can customize it as you wish.  I believe it is good to run the river with as it it is.

Although this could make a great display piece I believe it is meant to be used and will give long years of service to the successful bidder.

Chris Barker can be contacted at csbarkeriii@att.net

Copy by Heinz Ahlers with photo by Ric Lambert.

Thought on Hunting Pouches and Horns by Chris Barker

During the last thirty five years I have heard much discussion about the correct way to carry one's shot pouch and powder horn.  Some say the horn should always be carried on a strap separate from the pouch.  Others say the horn must be carried on short straps attached to the shot bag's shoulder strap.  Since these details are not often mentioned in period literature, I began to look at examples in art.  It seems that a horn on a strap separate from the bag was observed with greater frequency in Eighteenth Century examples, and that horns on straps attached to the shoulder straps of the pouch were more likely in the Nineteenth Century.  When the horn was carried on its own strap it could be carried either on the same side as the shot bag or on the opposite side.  I believe that there is no hard and fast rule here.  Powder horns were carried on both their own straps or attached to the bag strap throughout America's entire muzzle loading era.

Presently we see shot pouches more often than not carried on the right side.  The reality is that the shot pouch could be carried on whichever side deemed to be the most comfortable by the user.  In the Appalachians traditionally a left side pouch was the most common, but in photographs of the Soddy shoots during the early Twentieth Century a bag on the right was common.  If the horn was attached to the pouch strap, no matter which side, the horn was pointed to the front.  A modern artist made a serious mistake about this in a text book we use in Texas public schools.  An old pouch and horn set was acquired as a prop for a painting.  It was a right side carry setup.  The horn straps were attached to the pouch strap.  The model put it on his left side.  Thus the horn was backwards!  Now, some folks might have worn a powder horn with the spout to the rear, but that would have presented great difficulties in measuring out powder.  The painting showing the backwards bag and horn setup is well known here, and it has made a number of modern people think that spout to the rear powder horn carry was common.  I truly believe that the painter failed to do his homework before picking up his brush.

I have seen folks carrying shot pouches and powder horns low down on their hips.  This may be due to a famous Frederick Remington painting of a mountain man carrying his shot bag thus.  This portrait, really a caricature, was partially created from Remington's imagination.  It is said that he had never really seen a mountain man, but that he possessed a large collection of Fur Trade and Old West artifacts.  Unknowingly some shooters tried to copy Remington's art.  In the old days folks tended to carry their shot pouches at least at waist level, maybe a bit higher.  This can be clearly seen in examples of period art.  When a person was moving through dense brush or forest it was important to be able to pull the pouch in close with the elbow.  The whole kit was designed to be hung close to the body without projections which could be caught on a branch or bush.

In the examples provided here, the kit on the left has the powder horn on its own strap.  Mike Small made the horn, and I made the bag.  On the right, the horn is suspended on short straps attached to the shot pouch's shoulder strap.  Ed Wilde made the pouch, and Mark Ewing Made the powder horn and measure.

Copy and photos by Chris Barker.

2012 CLA Live Auction: "Joseph Stewart" Horn and Pouch Set by Chris Barker, Mark Ewing, Bill Carter and Eric Van Alstine

Team work and cooperation have become hallmark of the CLA and its members. The "Joseph Stewart" horn and pouch set made especially for the upcoming CLA live auction in Lexington this August, and the four CLA members that worked together to create it, embody what that attitude can accomplish even by proxy working together separately across the country.

The coordinator of this project was Chris Barker, and he describes how the team members pulled it all together best:     

"During the Autumn of 2011 CLA official Tim Albert contacted me regarding a project for the CLA's 2012 Live Auction in Lexington.  The theme was to be the War of 1812.  The Contemporary Longrifle Association wanted a reproduction of a pouch and horn set of that time. I agreed to make a shot pouch.  Mark Ewing of Lincolnton, North Carolina volunteered to make the powder horn, and Eric Van Alstine of Mexico, Missouri offered to make a bag knife. 

Tim found photos and specifications for a powder horn with provenance to the War of 1812.  The powder horn was the property of Joseph Stewart, a veteran of that war.  Tim sent this information to Honourable Company of Horners and CLA craftsman Mark Ewing.  Mark produced a fine documentary copy of the Stewart horn.  Mark forwarded the horn on to Bill Carter who reproduced the scrimshawed inscription original to the old horn.  Bill is also a CLA and HCH craftsman.  Their combined work created an exacting copy.  


Meanwhile I tried to find photos of a shot pouch that had been used in the War of 1812.  My search being totally unsuccessful I simply created a pattern for a double D shaped pouch typical of the first quarter of the 19th Century.  I acquired a small deer skin and applied a darkened patina using various leather dyes.  I am careful not to use oven cleaner or any other caustic substances on leather. 


While this was in progress Eric Van Alstine made a nice knife from an old file, carved a curly maple handle, and fitted it with a cast pewter ferrule.  Eric antiqued the finished knife with great results. 
I obtained a reproduction old time adjustable brass powder measure from Jim Chambers, an iron vent pick from Ed Wilde, and a couple of antique iron Buckles from Jerry Noble.  A patina was applied to the measure.  The bag was lined with a reproduction striped linen from Burnley and Trowbridge.  The shoulder straps are leather.  I made the pick and brush set using Wilde's pick, a brush handle from a modified .38 Special cartridge case, and bristles from an old shoe brush. 


It was a great delight that everything went together so well.  Eric, Mark, Bill, and I all worked on the project without a clear idea of what the other three were turning out.  In the end the powder horn and knife were sent to me, and all the parts of the whole kit went fit beautifully and the proportions ended up being very pleasing to the eye. 


When Mark Ewing sent me the powder horn he included the provenance which Tim Albert had provided.  That information is in the shot pouch, and will be available for inspection at the auction." 

Copy and photos supplied by Chris Barker.

For more information about the auction or CLA membership please visit: Longrifle 

Chris Barkers' Rig

CLA artisans create works in many different disciplines. I have had the good fortune to have examples by a number of them fall into my hands. I selected a rifle from my small collection and photographed it with pieces by CLA artisans who are experts in their given fields.

The rifle was made by Dick Breitenstein. It was made from dark photographs of the Robert Hughes rifle in John Bivins' book on North Carolina longrifles. The full stock is American Black Walnut. The iron furniture is all hand forged. The toe of the butt plate and the toe plate are pinned. Dick put the lock together from various components, and he hand swamped the .36 cal. 44" octagonal barrel. Dick felt that the off-the-shelf swamped barrels available at the time (mid '90s) had too much taper. At the time the order was placed there were numerous Southern mountain style rifles being turned out. Too much "artistic license" was built into many of them. Some looked like they had been turned out by big city gun smiths, and mountain simplicity was lost. Dick wanted to make a Southern Mountain Rifle that looked like the real thing. I could not have been more pleased with the results.

The shot pouch was made by Jim Webb. The body is brain tanned and walnut dyed buckskin. The flap retains the hair, and there is a fylfot in the center of the flap. Inside there is a large pocket with a flap closed by an antler button. The shoulder strap was woven by C. J. Wilde. I made and attached the fringed buckskin finials. Jim had left tabs for strap attachment projecting a couple of inches from the sides of the bag. This made lacing on the shoulder strap an easy job. The powder horn and turned measure were made by HCH horner Mark Ewing. Mark lathe turned the walnut base plug, horn bands, spout, stopper, and measure. The bands were heat shrunk in place and attached with tiny iron pins. I made the powder horn strap, and attached the measure. I put together the pick and brush set from a vent pick from Ed Wilde, a .357 magnum cartridge case, and bristles from an old shoe brush. You can't see it in the picture, but there is an iron buckle obtained from Ed. Wilde on the horn strap. The knife and scabbard were made by Tommy Stanford. Tommy made the blade from an antique cross cut saw blade. The flattened priming horn was made by Barry Anderson. The reproduction 18th Century compass, and the flint knapping hammer came from Track of the Wolf. The silver oil bottles were purchased from Dixie Gun Works nearly forty years ago. I made the bullet bag. The neck and stopper, as well as the bullet board, were made by Bill Jones of the long closed Alpine Dulcimer company. The pig skin cleaning tool and flint bag was made by Joe Erwin, manufacturer of the elegant leather covered Doc's Shooters Box.

The contents of my two photographs just barely scratches the surface of that wonderful group of artisans. I am indeed fortunate to know and to have worked with a number of them. When I pick up a rifle or reach into my pouch I have the pleasure of deeply experiencing the Longrifle Culture. Lifetimes of research, effort, and craftsmanship went into my kit, and I appreciate it more and more every day.

Copy and photos supplied by Chris Barker.

George Potter Rifle No. 15 with a Chris Barker Bag and Horn by Barry Anderson

I had the good fortune of living in the same community with rifle maker George Potter and horner Barry Anderson for five years. George made two rifles for me, Barry made several horns for me, and I made shot pouches for them.

The rifle was made in 1978 as a surprise for me. As you can see from the photographs I was mighty pleased. I paid George for that deal with a Ruger 10/.22 Carbine, a very fine WW I era S&W .38 Spl. Military and Police with a 6 3/8" barrel and a wad of cash. Considering the years of enjoyment I've gotten from this rifle, the investment was small. The return was huge. The stock is curly maple with consistent curl from one end to the other. Fred Riley provided George with the stock finishing information. The result is beautiful. The lock is made from original Bud Siler castings which were finished out, hardened, and assembled by George. The barrel is a Bob Paris narrow swamp .45 caliber full octagon barrel. All of the iron hardware was hand forged by George Potter. I am particularly enamored with the butt plate which curls under the toe, the patch box with triangular finial held in place with hand made nails. Not shown is the patchbox lock and spring all of which was hand made by George. I have fired this rifle hundreds of times, won matches, won sides of bacon, and I have maintained it to near perfection. The bore is as bright and shiny as anything you've ever seen. I have been offered 6K for it, but quite frankly I'd rather be buried with it like Lewis Wetzel was with his Old Deathwind.

The bag is of recent manufacture. It is my second buckskin bag. Horner Mark Ewing has the other. It is a double pouch, lined with reproduction 18th Century striped linen, and the front and flap are embroidered with linen thread. The bindings are kidskin. The powder horn was made by Barry Anderson in 1978. David Lutz made the vent pick. I made the pan brush with a .357 magnum case and hairs from an old shoe brush. Mike Hawkins made the turned cow horn powder measure. Tommy Stanford made the knife from an old crosscut saw blade and deer antler. Irene Rodgers made the Cherokee War Pattern fingerwoven strap. I backed it with linen and buckskin for reinforcement. Ed Wilde provided the buckles for powder horn strap attachment. As you can see it took a lot of hands to create this project. The lucky new owner of this bag is Mark Romanchock of Houston, Texas. He will be receiving it with a more elaborate horn and an Irene Rodgers horn strap which closely matches the one on the bag.

Copy and photos supplied by Chris Barker.

Chris Barker Bag and Horn Set for Dennis Glazner

I made this pouch and horn set for North Carolina longrifle authority Dennis Glazner. Dennis is a descendant of the North Carolina Gillespie family of rifle makers, and he has written a book about them. The pouch is vegetable tanned leather dyed with aniline dyes and shoe polish. The button closure is pewter. The horn is an antique. The knife is a Prairie State Longrifle Show purchase. I made the pan brush out of a .357 Magnum case and some shoe brush hairs. Ed Wilde supplied the vent pick. C.B.

Photos supplied by Chris Barker.

Chris Barker

Double pouch with pieced together front and Frankenstein stitching.
Antique horn.

Photo supplied by Chris Baker.