For my donation to this year’s Gunmaker’s Hall Giveaway, I wanted to create a hunting pouch that could have been indicative of a piece found in the early expansion west around the last quarter of the 18 th century, with just enough asymmetry and “character” to make it believable.

Inspiration for the piece was derived from the bag on the cover of Madison Grant’s book, The Kentucky Rifle Hunting Pouch. While it was never intended to be a copy of that piece, the idea for the overall shape and style started there.

The bag is constructed of 3oz veg tan cowhide, which I dyed using walnut hull dye I make. I intentionally used the leg portion of the hide as I received it for the pillow ticking lined front flap, leaving the imperfections found on it naturally. The interior of the bag has a single pocket, as well as three flint
pockets attached to the back panel. The inner pocket, top fringe, and front flap are all bound in 2oz goat
hide. The bag is also welted, using the same goat hide. The adjustable woven cotton strap is the work of
Teresa Rawle, with a forged buckle and ring by John Rader. The strap ends are made of 5oz veg tan
cowhide, also dyed with walnut hull dye. Everything is hand-stitched in linen thread. As with all of my
work, this ole hunting pouch was built to be used for generations to come, something to be handed
down by the recipient perhaps. I thoroughly enjoyed making this one…

Jeff Luke

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