John Shorb’s Personal Pouch and Horn

“In 2001, I was getting read to go on a buffalo hunt and I decided I needed a good hunting bag that would compliment my English Sporting Rifle.  So, one afternoon, I sat down and started thinking about what features I wanted it to have.  I didn’t want it to be too big, but I didn’t want it to not be able to carry what I wanted, either.  It had to have a tie down flap and a belt loop as well so it wouldn’t be flopping around on my side.  I wanted it to carry a few speed loaders and some basic stuff, as well.  And it had to have a pocket on the strap that would carry a powder measure and a capper and a loop to carry a short starter as well.

So, I designed it with an accordion fold in the gusset so it could expand or contract according to the amount of stuff I was carrying.  It is built with a generous belt loop on the back and the strap is easily removable so it can even be carried as a belt bag.  The double pocket on the strap carries a Treso 40-200 grain adjustable measure and a Tedd Cash Musket Capper.  Inside the pouch are three loops to carry speed loaders in the main area and a back pocket to keep cleaning patches and a little tin of grease in.  A loop is sewn on the face of the bag to carry a musket size nipple wrench.  It is covered by the flap, which is secured with a lace that ties around a pewter button.  While hunting, I carry the speed loaders, an 800 grain round brass flask, a 2 OZ bottle of cleaning solvent, 3 extra round ball, 3 extra patches and 3 extra cushion wads so I can reload the speed loaders if needed.  I also carry a Leatherman’s tool and a Hawken Shop Flinter’s tool as well as a ball puller in the caliber I am shooting and a brass “T” handle for the ramrod.

In carrying on with the English motif, I discovered that Track of the Wolf sells an English style powder valve, similar to the old Dixon type.  I got one of those and affixed it to a horn.  I turned a maple base plug for it and installed a brass finial.  I feel the horn style is ideal for use with an English Sporting Rifle or a shotgun.”