Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

A Time of Reflection

Another year has passed by and I am another year older. October 22nd is my birthday so I took to the woods for a little turkey hunting and some time to reflect back on the past 61 years. WOW!
It was a good fall day, cool temps, some clouds but more sunshine then clouds and a little breeze made it the perfect day to be out in the woods. I found myself walking a while then finding a place to sit and making a few calls. As I sat I would drift back to different hunts some successful and some not, but no mater they were all a good time with family and friends.

After a while I would move on and repeat the same thing. Later in the afternoon I met up with my hunting partner and the two of us sat against a large maple watching several squirrels working about looking for food. We talked about life in general, and the deer season to come the signs we seen while in the woods and the deer that we came across as we made our way through the woods.
After sitting for awhile we both went different ways to make our ways back to camp.

I worked my way back slowly along the ridge hoping to spot a flock working it's way back to there roost, but no luck. So I guess I will just have to make it back out and try again. What a GOOD DAY!

Evening Scout

A evening scout with Tony Baker, Mike Judson, Steven Caudill and myself. My wife Gail also went along with us.  I have seen Tony and Steven at events in the past but never spent time with them until this evening. Mike and I have know each other and have been good friends for a long time.  We were only out for a few hours but, it was a good time and I met two new friends.

Knife & Sheath

I picked up this knife this past weekend at a small gun & antique show. Today I put together this sheath to go along with it.

Belt Pouch

Friends

                                                     Place: Fort Detroit,  Year: 1762
                       A British Ranger & French inhabitants along the banks of the river.


Captain Joseph Hopkins arrived in New York in May of 1762 to raise a unit of Rangers,(Queen’s Royal American Rangers). The unit would have 2 lieutenants, 1 ensign, and 100 rangers. The company was formed to be used in Detroit. They arrived in Detroit in the fall of 1762 only to be sent back because Gladwin didn’t have the space nor the supplies to support them through the winter. Hopkins along with 22 of his men stayed while the rest went back to Fort Niagara.

In the spring of 1763 Lt. Cuyler, returned to Detroit only to be ambushed by Pontiac. 19 Rangers were killed 2 wounded and 21 taken prisoner, the rest making to Detroit.

Hopkins rangers were involved in many small fights throughout the summer and also in the battle of Bloody Run. When the fall of 63 approached and Pontiac’s siege fell apart, no longer needed the company was disbanded.    

Woven Horn Strap

A friend gave me his new horn along with a wool woven strap and asked if I could attach it to the horn and make it so he could adjust it to wear it over his winter clothing. He asked that the woven strap be visible from the front. This is what I came up with.

Sun Bag #42

This bag is made the same as all of my bags are. The bag size is 6" wide by 7 3/4" deep, 1 3/8" gusset tapering up the side of the bag with welted seams.
The strap is 1" wide fitted with a forged iron buckle. Tooling done on the flap and strap of the bag. Small inside pocket.

Looking Forward

Summer is almost over and Fall is just around the corner. I can't wait to get out in the woods again to enjoy what Mother Nature will have to offer.

Finished Belt Pouch

Finished size is 6" wide by 5" deep. The bag flairs out to 7" and has a tapered 1" gusset. Made with 3/4oz veg. tanned leather, hand sewn, dyed a dark brown and treated with neats-foot & bee's wax. Inside is a small 4" wide by 2 1/2" deep pocket.

Belt Pouch & Fire Starting Kit

Here are a few photos of a small belt pouch and fire starting kit that I put together and will donated to the Schoenbrunn Village Trade Fair, held in October. It is complete with a flint & steel, the steel fits in a leather case, burning glass also in a leather case. The small tin holds char and tinder and flint also in the pouch is a small amount of tow. Everything to start a fire. "The steel was made and donated by Ben Hoffman of Hoffman Reproduction"

Finished Order Shot Bag & Accouterments #41

Leather Shot Bag, for the 2016 CLA Auction #40

This excellent early 18th century style shot bag is donated by Darrel Lang.  This bag is of a style that would come from a professional leather worker, perhaps a shoemaker or harness maker raising a little extra cash.  It is totally hand sewn, each and every piece, using veg. tanned leather, waxed linen thread, and hand dying.  The precise hand stitching is itself a decorative element.  Darrel finishes each bag with neat’s-foot oil and bee’s wax, giving that rich warm finish.  Hand forged iron hardware completes this fine bag.  

(Written by: Heinz Ahlers)

Eighteenth century artisans, while experts in their respective trades, were nonetheless known to regularly broaden the scope of their business operations.  It’s a practice that’s quite familiar to their 21^st century counterparts.  One fine addition to the 2016 CLA fundraising auction bears mute testament to the age-old custom of artistic diversification: a straightforward shot bag by Michigan craftsman Darrel Lang.

          “When I make a shot bag,” explains Lang, “I try and produce something that a harness maker or cobbler of the colonies might have made on the side to make a little extra money.”  Lang’s creations consequently reflect the crisp artistry of early America’s professional leather workers.  This handsome shot bag is appropriate for today’s reenactor, but is likewise ready for the demanding conditions of the hunt.  “I keep my bags simple in design,” says the artist, “but make sure that construction of the bag will hold up under use in the field and in the woods.”

          Lang’s exacting craftsmanship ensures that the fortunate owner of this bag can confidently go afield with a fine piece of art.  Deftly crafted from vegetable tanned cow hide, the bag is entirely hand sewn, hand dyed, and then carefully protected with neatsfoot oil and beeswax.  The rig is closed with simple brass button, and the bag’s strap is fully adjustable by means of a hand forged iron buckle.        

          All in all, this shot bag is a well built reflection of Darrel Lang’s no-nonsense creative ethos.  “I want people to use them,” he says, “as they would have been used in the 18^th century, not just to hang on the wall.”  

(Written by: Joshua Shepherd)