The bag Buck mentioned (the original of William Potts), I got to copy and have used for about 12 years now. I guess Buck was right in copying one that was used as a daily tool for the man's livelyhood. For years I carried a number of extra items, then it was suggested to make a list on a 10 day canoe trip of everything I used - anything that was not listed was left at home from then on, funny after a few years I traded much of that stuff off. In this hobby it seems we get into gathering gadgets, and neat items, then half of them just sit around.
When Buckhorn Rendezvous was still operating, they would have a garage sale once a year of new items, Buck said they where things that him and Ben thought where great, but turned out they where the only ones that thought so. They would have tables full of stuff from local buckskinners that decided they no longer needed items once carried in their haversacks or shooting bags. We all need to do as I was told, "make a list of what you use, and how often, then can one item be used for several jobs - if so leave the dupliate at home".
Turtle.
> On Wed, 04 August 1999, "larry pendleton" wrote:
> Guys,
> This discussion on shooting bags is great ! My gear inside the bag hasn't
> changed much in the last few years, but I seem to build a new bag every
> years or so. The bag I am currently using is made of braintan deeskin,
> which was not broken quite as well as it should have been. It is still
> quite soft but has more body to it than braintan that is done really well.
> The bag is a simple single pouch with no gusset, but it is sewn with a welt.
> It measures 8 1/2 X 9 inches. The flap is double thickness of the braintan
> with a button to hold it closed. It has a single small pocket which carries
> a cleaning jag, an extra flint, a few patches, and a small oak twig that is
> whittled to fit as a plug for the touch hole which is used when I wash the
> bore of my rifle. In the main part of the bag there is a small bag that
> holds about ten round balls. I carry a separate bullet pouch for the bulk
> of my amunition. It either hangs from a separate strap or from my belt. I
> find I can load faster with this arrangement. The rest of the gear includes
> : forged pliers, forged screwdriver-flint knapper, fire steel, flint, bag of
> tow, bag of extra gun flints, deerskin wallet that holds extra jags a tow
> worm and ball puller, folding knife, rolls of ticking strips used for
> patching, a can of grease used for lubing patches and the bore of my rifle,
> and a small brass tube that contains bear oil for oiling the lock. My
> powder measure hangs from the neck of my powder horn, and the vent pick is
> carried in the patchbox. My patch knife is attached to the back of the
> bag.
> I carry the bullet mold, ladle, and lead in my haversack. Where to carry
> these items has always been somewhat of a dilema. It seems the bullet mold
> was most often carried in the shooting bag, but it is of no use without the
> ladle and lead and that is more weight than I want to carry in the shooting
> bag. What to do ?
> This how I carry my stuff, and it works pretty well for me. How one uses
> a shooting bag and other accoutrements is a very individual thing. What
> works for one person may or may not work for the next.
> >> > (1) small wooden salt barrel 3/4 X 2 inches, and (1) 2 piece turkey
> wing
> >> bone call.
> >> >
> >> > This is very interesting that such a small pouch of the day - 1787 to
> >> > 1815 is so compact and only the needed items to perform his tasks are
> >> used, every item was needed in his daily survival and gathering of game.
> >> >
> >> > Note things like bullet molds, ladels, lead bar, pipes-tobacco, etc.
> are
> >> items cached or left at his residents in the settlements.
> >> >
> >> > Something we found interesting in his journal was the mention of not
> using
> >> tobacco, feeling that the odor from such activity would hamper his
> ability
> >> to get close to game.
> >> > -----------------------------------
> >> >
> >> > Later,
> >> > Buck Conner
> >-----------------------------------
> >John,
> >Your going to have me end up putting the whole article on here.
> >
> >His bag small by some folks standards, 8-1/2 X 9 inches made of
> >commerical cow hide, dark brown in color with a wide strap of 1-1/2
> >inches with a handforged buckle for adjustment of the length and made of
> >tightely woven linen in forest colors, now dull from useage and age. The
> >bag has a 2" gusset with a divider making two compartments (lined with
> >linen material), there are to small leather pockets attached to the back
> >of the bag - used to hold to small tin containers.
> >
> >All seams are welted, even the edge of the flap that is covered with
> >linen on the inside and having a narrow welted slit to make a storage
> >area for patching material. A clever idea that one should consider when
> >building his next pouch, making easy access to your shooting and
> >cleaning material, as well as adding weight to the flap to keep it in
> >place - flap has a tong used to sucure it to the pewter button attached
> >at the bottom of the bag. This will give you a pretty good idea of the
> >appearance and how this bag is set up.
> >-----------------------------------
> >Later,
> >Buck Conner
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1999 15:41:27 -0400
From: ad.miller@mindspring.com
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Shootin' Bags
If anyone wants to post a pix of their favorite shootin bag, email ( or
snail mail) it to me with a bit of data on it and I will create a special
web page on my site so you can show them off... :)) It can be a simple
picture, or you can have your possibles laid out with it, etc... Let me
know if anyone wants to...
It will be accessable only to members of this list.
Addison Miller
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1999 16:05:51 -0400
From: ad.miller@mindspring.com
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: shooting bag
Last year goin to tha Alafia, I committed a MORTAL SIN!!! Somehow my
"halfhimers" caught up with me, and I FORGOT my possibles bag!!! Everyting
else made it in tha big metal covered wagon I haul all this stuff with, but
my possibles bag got left on the wall.....
Bein the resourceful person that I am, I done got me a moccasin grade side
of elk and commenced to workin on it. In a couple of hours (I'm slow when I
want it done right) I hade a right passable possible bag. It's about 7" by
9", double pocket with 2 smaller pockets sewn inside, and a large over flap.
For weight to keep the flap shut, I sewed a pewter Ronnyvous medallion on
it. In it is my forged pliers, 50 - .50 cal ball, forged knapper and screw
driver, 4 pre-lubed rolls of patching, worm and etc..., flint wallet, a few
extra hide thongs, spring clamp, a plaion old rag, a small vial of gun oil,
plain dry patches fer swabbin, a small vial of bore cleaner, a patch knife,
and hangin on a thong are my pan primer and a vent pick/brush combo.
I'm gonna use your idea and sew some loops on the inside to hold the tools
instead of letting them just lay in the bottom of the bag...
Addison Miller
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1999 16:19:25 -0400
From: ad.miller@mindspring.com
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: shooting bag
They would have tables full of stuff from local buckskinners that decided
they no longer needed items once carried in their haversacks or shooting
bags. We all need to do as I was told, "make a list of what you use, and how
often, then can one item be used for several jobs - if so leave the dupliate
at home".
> Turtle.
>
That would be a heck of an idea for the list.... Put our "extra stuff" up
for sale, trade, whatever... Again, if anyone would like, I'll make a page
on my site, accessable by this list only, and you can put a pix and a
description with the price and your email address. No charge... just trying
to help everyone out...
Let me know what you think...
Addison Miller
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 1999 10:59:56 -0400
From: "Lewis Kevin Raper" <POSSUMHUNTER@prodigy.net>
Subject: MtMan-List: Kings Mountain Old Timer Days
How many on the list are coming up to the shoot at Kings Mountain State Park
in South Carolina? As always it will be on the third weekend of September.
Iffin ya come, go by The K Company and holler "Possum Hunter". I might even
come out of hiding! Although they are not period-correct, it is a good ideer
to bring some rubber boots in case some Texicans or New Zealanders show up!
Watch yer top knot - Possum Hunter
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1999 17:08:50 -0400
From: ad.miller@mindspring.com
Subject: MtMan-List: Re: extra items for sale
What I'll do is place any item on the page, a pictue, a description, price,
and email of seller. After that, everything is done through the buyer and
the seller. I don't want a commission or anything. I maintain my own site,
its a freebie on on geocities.
Rules will be simple... You deal direct with the seller, and anything will
be put up on the page so long as it is within our time period. It can be
for sale, trade, barter, whatever. I assume no liability for the
transaction or offer any warranty. I am doing this strictly as a service
for others and expect no commission, or renumeration of any kind. My intent
is to help others get rid of "extra stuff" ... *chuckles* probably so they
can buy more. Sounds kinda simple to me...
I'll work on the page tonite and post the address for all to see tomorrow...
Addison Miller
- -----Original Message-----
From: John Hunt <jhunt1@one.net>
To: ad.miller@mindspring.com <ad.miller@mindspring.com>
Date: Thursday, August 05, 1999 11:33 AM
Subject: extra items for sale
>
> Mr. Miller:
>
> I for one think it big hearted of you to offer to set up a sale page
>for others to use to sell unwanted items. After 20yrs many of us have many
>items to get rid of, early mistakes, incorrect items. Many things could
help
>other beginners to get started. If you set this up I would like to know
>rules and regulations you`ll use, number of items to post and anything
else.
>I`m interested. I would be willing to send you a percentage of what I sell.
>You have to pay to maintain your site, it`s only fair if we use we should
>share expenses.
>
> Thank you for your consideration.
>
>
>John (BIG JOHN) Hunt jhunt1@one.net
>Longhunter
>Mountainman
>southwest Ohio
>
------------------------------
Date: 5 Aug 1999 09:40:10 -0700
From: buck.conner@uswestmail.net
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Re: extra items for sale
> On Wed, 04 August 1999, ad.miller@mindspring.com wrote:
> What I'll do is place any item on the page, a pictue, a description, price,
> and email of seller. After that, everything is done through the buyer and
> the seller. I don't want a commission or anything. I maintain my own site,
> its a freebie on on geocities.
>
> Rules will be simple... You deal direct with the seller, and anything will
> be put up on the page so long as it is within our time period. It can be
> for sale, trade, barter, whatever. I assume no liability for the
> transaction or offer any warranty. I am doing this strictly as a service
> for others and expect no commission, or renumeration of any kind.
> My intent is to help others get rid of "extra stuff" ... *chuckles* probably
> so they can buy more. Sounds kinda simple to me...
>
> I'll work on the page tonite and post the address for all to see
> tomorrow...
>
> Addison Miller
>
>
> Date: Thursday, August 05, 1999 11:33 AM
> >You have to pay to maintain your site, it`s only fair if we use we should
> >share expenses.
> >
> > Thank you for your consideration.
> >John (BIG JOHN) Hunt jhunt1@one.net
________________________________
Hey "Ad",
I'm sure that most would agree a ?? % of the sale for your efforts like John has mentioned would be fair. If they take their sellable items to a dealer they would pay a 20% for items under $500 and 10% for items above - this seems to be standard anymore, of course your using their space and they have overhead. You said your overhead is nothing, but you still have time invested and should get something for your efforts, whatever is fair to you.
Even 5% not much when you think of the savings to the seller, when compared to going to a dealer, would help you buy a new toy, and that's the bottom line "we all need our toys".
I will look tonight and gather up some items, it's been about two years since doing this. Use to take the funds from our sale table when we still had the store, then donate it to "Children's Hospital" here in Denver. It would surprise you how much stuff you can move, many newcomers need everything and aren't into the reenactment stuff yet.
Thank you for the offer.
Later,
Buck Conner
dba / Clark & Sons Mercantile, Inc.
http://www.teleport.com/~walking/clark/
_____________________________________
NOW AVAILABLE a journal of the Fur Trade
and early history of the times. AMM journal
The Tomahawk & Long Rifle * 3483 Squires *
Conklin, MI 49403
ATTN: Jon Link
The subscription for T&LR is $20 for a year -
quarterly issues - Feb, May, Aug, Nov,.
_____________________________________
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 05 Aug 1999 17:20:25 GMT
From: "Ian Small" <ismall@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Books
Tony,
Thank you for the suggestions I shall look for those books. I have just
returned from the library, I took a list of books that I found on the
Mountain Man Web Site unfortunately my search came up unsuccessfully. I did
find one book which interested me though, it is called The Death of the
Bravos, by John Myers Myers. It seems to have some Mountain Man History in
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
------------------------------
Date: 5 Aug 1999 10:55:02 -0700
From: <turtle@uswestmail.net>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Re: extra items for sale
> > I am doing this strictly as a service for others and expect no commission,
> > or renumeration of any kind.
> >
> > Addison Miller
> >
- -----------------------
> > >You have to pay to maintain your site, it`s only fair if we use we should
> > >share expenses.
- -----------------------
> Even 5% not much when you think of the savings to the seller, when compared to going to a dealer, would help you buy a new toy, and that's the bottom line "we all need our toys".
- ----------------------
Hey Addison,
Like mentioned take a percentage and you go buy some new goodies, that's fair for your trouble. I'll see what I have laying around no longer used.
Turtle.
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 05 Aug 1999 12:51:01 -0500
From: bvannoy <bvannoy@mciworld.com>
Subject: MtMan-List: Books
Hello, list:
Since the subject of books has been brought up, I have a question as
well. Was going through Jas Townsend recently and looking at cookbooks.
Can anyone recommend any or give critiques? Specifically: "Cast Iron
Cooking" ; "Dutch Oven Cooking" ; "Buckskinner's Cookbook" ; "The
Backcountry Housewife".
Thanks much, Badger
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 1999 14:37:00 EDT
From: ThisOldFox@aol.com
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Books
> Was going through Jas Townsend recently and looking at cookbooks.
> Can anyone recommend any or give critiques? Specifically: "Cast Iron
> The only things those books really tell you is what to cook. They aren't
> really necessary for someone who knows how to cook. Anything you can make at
> home on your stove can be made in a Dutch oven.
>
> I taught Dutch oven cooking to Boy Scout leaders for a zillion years. All
> you need is a common sense approach. You can bake, broil, or stew in one.
> You can turn the lid upside down and use it as a griddle. Everything you
> cook in a Dutch oven tastes good. It is near impossible to ruin food. If
> it's cooking too fast., remove coals. If it's cooking to slow, add coals.
>
> The heavy lid makes it function like a pressure cooker. You can use the
> cheapest cuts of meat and they will come out tender. Other than common
> sense, there is really no big secret to Dutch oven cooking. Much to do is
> made about putting X number of coals on top, and X number of coals on the
> bottem to maintain X degrees of temperature. Hooey. Just cook your vittles
> and keep a wary eye on them once in a while. If you don't know what to put
> in the pot, then the books will give you some ideas. If you know what you
> like, save the money and buy a cast iron skillet with it. <G>
>
> Dave Kanger
Dave I have an article done by Brook Ellitt on "care of cast iron cookware", very well done - ran it in one of our cataolgs a few years ago. Can post it on this hist_list if interested.
Later,
Buck Conner
dba / Clark & Sons Mercantile, Inc.
http://www.teleport.com/~walking/clark/
_____________________________________
NOW AVAILABLE a journal of the Fur Trade
and early history of the times. AMM journal
The Tomahawk & Long Rifle * 3483 Squires *
Conklin, MI 49403
ATTN: Jon Link
The subscription for T&LR is $20 for a year -
quarterly issues - Feb, May, Aug, Nov,.
_____________________________________
Signup for your free USWEST.mail Email account http://www.uswestmail.net
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 05 Aug 1999 18:14:06 -0600
From: Allen Hall <allenhall@srv.net>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Shootin' Bags
Randy,
>As for my 'pack'... I
>have recently been carrying a set of saddle bags with detachable pommel
>bags. I coppied a set of bags that 'Short Step' has. I find that the 4
>seperate bags, 2 big- 2 small, are good for keeping my gear organized. I
>carry them over my shoulder. If any one should ask... those *%#@!~+!!!!
>Crows stole my horse, and left me afoot. My ladle, lead, spare stuff,
>bullet mold, etc... are stashed in the saddle bags, depending on what is
>expected. I appreciate your question. It has generated some good
>responses, which I find educational. YMHS, Hardtack
>
I have begun carrying my stuff in saddlebags as well. I'm mounted when
possible, but sometimes it's not. Saddlebags go over the shoulder fine and
carry gear well. It's sure worked for me.
Hey everyone, thanks again for the letters. Like Jon said, it's time to
reconsider a couple of things for improvement!
Allen
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 05 Aug 1999 18:14:08 -0600
From: Allen Hall <allenhall@srv.net>
Subject: MtMan-List: TVM Trade Gun?
Has anyone got or seen a TVM trade gun? I'm thinking real serious about
getting one. Based on their other stuff, I will, but I'd like the input.
Thanks ahead of time,
Allen Hall in Fort Hall country
Allen Hall #1729 from Fort Hall country
------------------------------
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