But for those who may want to have the satisfaction of making changes to or upgrading their gear, or maybe making their own gear from scratch, I think that's a side benefit of shooting muzzleloaders versus leverguns or modern rifles, etc. With some basic materials and hand tools, and a lot of ideas or desire and just a little skill, you can easily turn out functional and good-looking "period correct" accessories.
I didn't make these two items, but I did enjoy the task of modifying them for my own use. I'm pleased with how these changes came out, and I have a feeling I'll be doing more D-I-Y blackpowder/muzzleloading projects soon too.
First off, I had gotten a 72" long brown-striped wool blanket rifle case for a great price on Etsy and liked how the colors complemented the brown stripes of the straps for my powder horn and possibles bag. My twin brother had suggested that I add some leather patches so my long flintlock's muzzle or other metal parts wouldn't work their way through the blanket covering.
It was too tough to add them on the inside, since the case is so narrow, so I ended up adding them on the outside. And I did my first-ever blanket stitch too! I think this came out pretty well at the muzzle:
Then I also added some leather patches where the rear sight and lock are located, with the leather patch doubled in thickness at the very top for the lock:
And then, since for now I'm using a short starter on my rifle, I added this simple "holster" like ones I'd seen on some of the nicer bags on Track Of The Wolf and other sites. I have to thank my twin for passing me his old hand-me-down when he just upgraded to a nicer bag, and by sheer luck and/or serendipity, the bag's strap was an exact match for my powder horn. The little holster works well for the deer antler starter I bought from Maine gunmaker Roy Stroh at the recent "Ancient Ones Blackpowder Gun Show" in Maine --- it's a nicely made one, and I like it:
That's it. Tight groups to all!
Old No7
