What The Heck Is This Bag ?

[saddlebum]

I'm looking at this shooting bag online and have some questions about it. I know the flap is Beaver. What I don't know is what the eight rings hanging from the leather straps are for. I'm guessing they are for hanging small game or birds from, but I don't really know. I don't know what the woven/braided stuff under the flap is all about. That stuff makes me think it's really old. The guy who has it calls it hemp but he thinks it's a saddlebag so I don't think he knows much about it. Said he found it hanging in a barn. I thought it was a muzzleloader bag untill I saw what looks like cartridge loops inside. I have never seen a bag quite like this one. Have you? Curiosity is killing me. Anybody know about this bag and the stuff on it?

[Spirithawk]

I'm guessing that it's a hunting bag of some kind. May be one of a kind that someone made for a special purpose to suite themselves. Hard to tell but the loops look of rifle cartridge size, if shotgun size I'd say for huntings birds.

Just had an idea. With the flap being Beaver, having cartridge loops inside, and the thongs hanging down with rings on the ends, I'm wondering if it belonged to a trapper. Those rings would be handy to hang small traps from. Just a thought.

[Swampman]

Looks like a game bag for a muzzleloader to me.

[Sourdough]

I'd venture to say, someone took a possiables bag from Muzzleloading days.  Then modified it for use with a .410 for bird hunting.

Just a guess.

[Swampman]

The net held game during the hunt.  They were fairly common and some folks reproduce them still.

The leather thong pull through the metal ring and goes around the leg of small game animals that have been killed during the hunt.

[saddlebum]

I'd venture to say, someone took a possiables bag from Muzzleloading days.  Then modified it for use with a .410 for bird hunting.

Just a guess.

Good guess. The .410 conversion sounds likely.

The netting still has me a little puzzled. Why netting? Maybe to help cool the critter, maybe fish. Doesn't look like you can get much in there. I'm agreeing with the game/bird hangers for the rings. I have seen similar attachments on eastern and English hunting rigs for upland game birds. It is a neat bag. I think it would make a neat wall hanger.

[Swampman]

The netting allowed birds and small game to cool out.  I believe some of the netting is missing.

[saddlebum]

Swampman,
Have you seen rigs like this? Are they or were they common some place like the east or south. I don't know where it came from. Or do you think it is home made custom or a commercial store bought bag?

[Dee]

I think Swampy is gettin real close to the rig and it's  accouterments purpose. The straps and rings hit me that way right away. The netting also for skinned animals such as squirrel, or like someone said fish. The cartridge loops cannot me limited to 410 shot shells, as we know nothing about the owner, and his preferences of armament. His bag however, I believe we are getting close.

[Dee]

The stitching was done on a machine, custom or production? Good question

[Swampman]

Swampman,
Have you seen rigs like this? Are they or were they common some place like the east or south. I don't know where it came from. Or do you think it is home made custom or a commercial store bought bag?

I believe they were more common in Europe.  I'm wondering if they used premeasured tubes of powder/shot in those loops.

[billy_56081]

Good eye on the stitching Dan. Tells us that it is porbably a little more modern.

[saddlebum]

Good eye on the stitching Dan. Tells us that it is porbably a little more modern.

I didn't think about the stitching. That sure takes away from the mountain man look of the Beaver flap. Looks like Beaver to me anyway. After I remembered seeing those ring hangers on English bird hunting rigs, I knew it wasn't as old as I first thought.
Don't remember seeing the netting like that before though.
Thanks for the help guys. Now I can go to sleep tonight.

[Dee]

saddlemum, the stiching doesn't mean it isn't old, and as far as the straps and rings, I can't think of many birds that their feet would slip thru the loops made by those straps. I would be more apt to think they would hold a squirrel by the neck without losin the squirrel than any bird.

[subdjoe]

That is a fowling bag.  You pull the strap through the ring to form a loop, you don't try to force the feet or head through the rings.  I can't tell how big the net is, but it may actually be a bird net for catching the critters.  And, yes, bags like that used to be common both here and in Europe. 

[saddlebum]

saddlemum, the stiching doesn't mean it isn't old, and as far as the straps and rings, I can't think of many birds that their feet would slip thru the loops made by those straps. I would be more apt to think they would hold a squirrel by the neck without losin the squirrel than any bird.

I have never done it myself but I have seen guys on TV that sling their birds,(upland game), by the neck. I have always used a vest with a pocket in the back. You are right though. It should work real good on squirrels and other critters too.
It's an interesting bag, but I don't think I'll run right out and buy one.

[blind ear]

The net might let the ticks and fleas escape as the carcas cools. The bugs leave as that happens. Might have to use coal oil or bug spray to keep them off of you. eddiegjr

[Dee]

The net might let the ticks and fleas escape as the carcas cools. The bugs leave as that happens. Might have to use coal oil or bug spray to keep them off of you. eddiegjr

It could have also carried the bearers lunch.