Leather from the Past

Leather Shot Bags & Accouterments for the French & Indian War.

Welcome to my Blog! My name is Darrel Lang and I specialize in the Replication of Leather shot bags & Accouterments made in the colonies by the harness and saddle maker of the18th century. All items are hand sewn using waxed linen thread, dyed, then treated with neatsfoot oil & bee’s wax. The leather used is of veg. tanned cow hide 2-3 or 4-5 oz. weight. Other materials used are pig skin, period correct linens for the 18th century and iron or brass buckles. Please take a look at what I have to offer. Thank you!

August 8, 2026

A new bag and horn for my new 16ga. Kibler fowler. Waiting on some round balls to arrive.

I have two different sizes to test out at the range. Will be working on bare ball loads.

Looking forward to carrying it to the woods this coming fall!

December 30, 2025

Tompion or Barrel plug

I have read a few post this season on the question, is it better to unload your flintlock or fire it off when finished for the day or to leave it loaded to hunt the next day or week. Some say yes some say no.

I have never had an issue leaving one loaded whether bring it in the cabin or outside in camp. I do three things to insure it will go off. One: I use a Wooden tompion to plug the barrel, Two: brush out the pan of any prim, Three: plugging the touch hole with a round toothpick or a quill of a feather. Doing both will prevent moisture from dampening the powder charge.

I all so use the tompion as a warning that my fowler is loaded and not to be handled by anyone. I carry one in my shot bag at all time. Both the wooden plug and a piece of wool wrapped a round a undersized ball work great.