Employing period catalog info to make 1870s pouch

[brass]

Fellows,

For those interested in making a pouch based on a period catalog illustration I’ve posted some info that should prove helpful. Indeed, as you will surmise, there is a lot of historic conjecture that went into this project as the illustration is not a lot to go on. However, though you're not suppplied with perfect information (dimensions &c), this leatherworking project is definitely something worth pursuing if you’re keen to give it a try.

Source info in support of the accompanying illustration below: “James Bown & Son Enterprise Gun Works Headquarters for Sporting Goods and Ammunition of all Kinds, Catalogue for 1876”, Pittsburgh, page 63. Note: This pouch was available in two sizes, the smaller of the two was to be worn on a belt. The “J.H. Johnston Great Western Gun Works catalog of 1871” also carried such an item with the same illustration on page 19 and states the pouch is ‘made of the best bridle leather, with apartments for bullets, powder flask, caps and implements’, though does not offer a smaller belt-carried type. Additionally this item with illustration was carried in “The J.H. Johnston Great Western Gun Works” catalog of 1882 stating on page 29 that ‘these are also suitable for carrying cartridges for breech-loading rifles.’

The photograph below shows my interpretation of both the shoulder slung and belt mounted pouch versions based on the period catalog info & corresponding catalog illustration.



Brass

p.s. the belt in the above photo is not based on a period catalog illustration but is based on a concealed buckle type belt as shown in "Packing Iron: Gunleather of the Frontier West", page 62

[buckskin billy]

very great subject here. this is something i have always been interested in. especially the carrying of the necissary items for a cap and ball revolver.
i have a couple of questions about the construction of your bags, as i'm always tinkering with leather projects.
are either bags gusseted and what are the dimensions of both bags?

[brass]

BB,

I've detailed size info on the larger pouch and you can easily surmise the size of the smaller one from there. There is no wrong answer on the sizes for either pouch as each is ultimately a best-guess 'guesstimate' as far as size goes. Construction details are the same for both, though the smaller one I made doesn't have any divisions or compartments inside.

The body of the larger pouch is just over 9” tall, and almost 12” wide (at widest point), these measurements are of the completed, sewn item. The long leather strip I used to connect the front and back pouch pieces is wider at the center (about 2 ½” at widest point before sewing) and gradually narrows toward the ends (to about 1 ¾” wide before sewing). This makes for a fullness of width at the bottom of the pouch and a narrower top. It is not completely sewn inside-out and turned, only the front pouch piece has an inside seam. I put a leather strip inside to divide the pouch into two simple internal compartments, though I am sure this pouch could be configured in various ways as the period catalog description implies there are various internal pockets & such.

As you can see this is not easy to describe. My intent was to replicate the general shape of the illustration and used a few tricks to accomplish it. I didn’t quite capture the roundness of the shape as the pouch as my interpretation has a somewhat longer body than I intended though this has proved to actually be more practical for me in using the competed item. Still, this wasn’t intentional, it was my misjudging when I cut the leather pieces and I only caught my error when the pouch was almost put together. However, I’m as pleased as I can be considering the illustration is decent visual guidance but provides absolutely no construction hints. Therefore, every pouch made from the illustration will vary greatly though hopefully have the same lines and general appearance. Such is the fun of recreating stuff from a period illustration.

Hopefully the info above helps though if you’re confused by my attempt to explain the basics of this project I can’t blame you, it isn’t easy for me to describe. Of course, were you were to see the pouch in person you’d have it figured out in a jiffy and I’m quite sure would knock out an even better version.

Brass

[buckskin billy]

clear as mud ;D
thanks for the description. i now have a measurement to go by.
i have made belt bags before for carrying my cap and ball revolver loading supplies but don't hardly use them as they don't look good to me.
the little belt beg you made has the look i like.

so many leather projects so little leather