I am always on the lookout for better and cheaper possibles bags for use with my muzzleloaders. Really nice leather possibles bags seem to be getting harder to find and are getting more expensive. On Memorial Day, I went with my beloved to visit local thrift shop. The shop is open on Holidays and gives discounts on certain items and also to senior citizens. I found a very nice leather ladies purse with shoulder strap that closely resembles a possibles bag that I bought from Cabela's. The great news is that the bag was tagged at $3.98 and after several discounts cost me $2.00. What a deal (the bag from Cabela's was over $40.00 plus shipping). When I got home I put black powder, roundballs, patches and other accessories in the bag and it worked out very well. All the best...
Gil

I always thought a rabbit skin made a great possibles bag. The fur on or off but with the fur on it is quieter. When my brother wore out his rabbit he used deer suede to make one. Its easy to get when you tan the hides yourself. I am not looking forward to him going back up into the mountains this month. I'll be back to doing all the outside work and won't have as much time at the range.

I've got into the habit of making bags etc from leather rather than buy them ready made. With the cost of leather, I t isn't always cheaper, but I have the satisfaction of knowing I made it myself.

To give you an idea, I haven't bought a belt in years...I have made myself about four (each one bigger than the last ) and I've made my shooting buddy a couple as well. Knife sheaths are another thing I've made...they are pretty easy and a good use for smaller pieces of scrap leather. The latest thing I've made is a Scottish sporran using a deer hide I harvested and tanned...it came out a treat. I suppose in some respects a sporran is a Scottish version of a possibles bag because it was the pouch a scotsman carried with all his bits and bobs inside.

Vince,
You do great work! I am impressed with what you have done. All the best...
Gil

Thanks Gil. I've found that leather work just needs a little imagination and a vision of what you want the finished product to look like. Things seem to flow after that.

I haven't bought a rifle sling for years...I've made five slings that are padded and lined with pig skin, all hand sewn...they are very robust.

"... a sporran is a Scottish version of a possibles bag because it was the pouch a scotsman carried with all his bits and bobs inside."

I thought he kept his bits and bobs under his kilt?

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

"... a sporran is a Scottish version of a possibles bag because it was the pouch a scotsman carried with all his bits and bobs inside." I thought he kept his bits and bobs under his kilt?

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

"... a sporran is a Scottish version of a possibles bag because it was the pouch a scotsman carried with all his bits and bobs inside." I thought he kept his bits and bobs under his kilt?

No, that's the 'dangle' Punkin, as in "The angle of the dangle is relevant to the tilt of the kilt."

Vince, thanks for clearing that up!

Vince wrote:

I've got into the habit of making bags etc from leather rather than buy them ready made. With the cost of leather, I t isn't always cheaper, but I have the satisfaction of knowing I made it myself. To give you an idea, I haven't bought a belt in years...I have made myself about four (each one bigger than the last ) and I've made my shooting buddy a couple as well. Knife sheaths are another thing I've made...they are pretty easy and a good use for smaller pieces of scrap leather. The latest thing I've made is a Scottish sporran using a deer hide I harvested and tanned...it came out a treat. I suppose in some respects a sporran is a Scottish version of a possibles bag because it was the pouch a scotsman carried with all his bits and bobs inside.

Good loard that's Crazy Nice!!!

Waiting for the local crafts fair to start up again. I need one for the bow's bits-n-bobs (wax, points, strings nocks, etc.). Using a nylon drawstring bag now...somehow that don't seem very "traditional".

Thanks Stovey...took a lot of work, and the learning curve was a tad steep, but I really enjoyed the effort.

I'm stealing Gil's thread here I like his idea of recycling a ladies purse/bag into a possibles bag. Something like that might be just the thing for you Stovey. A leather ladies bag usually has a couple of sections and also smaller zip up sections inside or small bits and pieces. It wouldn't be overly difficult to put a belt on a smaller bag to wear on your hip, or use a shoulder strap.

Another option is to make your own. I have a couple of pics in my head as to what may be suitable...I'll see if I can find some pics online that show what I'm thinking.

Gil, and Stovey...I am always keeping my eye open for something a bit different and useful. When I saw this one today I immediately thought of you guys and remembered your thread on looking for a possibles bag.

This one isn't all that big, but it is very purty and would look great on anybody's hip.

Vince,
That bag is a work of art. What is the story? Did you buy it or make it? All the best...
Gil

Gil Martin wrote:

Vince, That bag is a work of art. What is the story? Did you buy it or make it? All the best... Gil

Gidday Gil, no, not one I made mate...one I saw on Facebook made by a lady at Birdsall Leather... Birdsall Leather Products. There is plenty to see on their website mate.

I do like the look of this bag and I’m seriously considering making one although all of the hand engraving is beyond my expertise.

and whats wrong with an animals scrotum as was used back in the day????
bags not being the donating animal....