Leather Covered Water Bottle

Last weekend I spent Saturday roaming the isle's of tables that filled the three rooms at the Kalamazoo Trade Show. At one such table I came across this nice leather covered water bottle with a great price on it. It was just the right size for a day in the woods or on the battle field. I had to have it. The leather work done to cover the bottle was very good and the leather strap was OK but, not what I would want. It had a large brass harness buckle held in place with rivets and on the other end of the strap a brass D-ring again held in place with brass looking rivets but, I know someone that can fix it.
I first removed the leather strap and then dyed the leather bottle a little darker then rubbed in some neets-foot oil and then worked in some bee's wax. I took the tails of the bottle where the buckle and D-ring were attached folded them over and stitch down each side giving it a little more durability. I then cut out a new strap folding and stitching up each end then dying it to match.
I attached the strap to the bottle by using a heavy waxed linen thread and passing it through the ends of the strap several time then tying it off. I think it looks pretty good and will be a nice addition to my kit.
The bottom of the bottle is formed flat so that it sits upright and not lying on it side.         

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Leather Shot Bag, for the 2016 CLA Auction #40

Image
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 M...
Read more

Spring Turkey Season, comes to an end

Image
The spring turkey season in Michigan is by permits only and opens in mid April and ends the last day of May. My permit was for May 5th until the end of the month, I could hunt state or private land in the upper half of the state and only private in the lower half of the state. I was able to hunt a friends place down in the lower part of the state. The first time I got out was a beautiful Thursday morning. I didn't make it out in to the woods until after the sun was up but, there was still some Toms gobbling off in the distance. I chose to hunt the edge of the woods along a newly planted corn field and my friend took to the woods. I sat just in side of the woods and made calls about every half hour or so. A few yelps just to let them know a lonely hen was around. I sat in that spot until eleven or so and only saw one bird. It was a single hen walking the field’s edge and she walked less than ten yards from me then turned and walked in to the woods again so close as if she was sayin...
Read more

What's in my Bag, part.2

Image
 In the above two photos you can see what I carry when in the field. I was turkey hunting when I took these photos. Starting with, my bed roll. It's made up with a wool blanket covered with a small piece of oil cloth and carried with a leather tump-line. When sitting and watching for game I use the bed roll as a seat. With in climate weather I can use the blanket as a matchcoat and sit on the oil cloth. I also carry a light ax and a small canteen. Here are the items that I carry in my shot bag. First my shot bag is 6" wide by 7" deep with a small inside pocket. Attached to the bag strap is a vent pick & brush. The powder measure is attached to the horn. In the bag I carry a wood tompin, a cloth bag with some tow for wadding and cleaning. Also cleaning wires, foraged bore scraper and tow worm. In the small leather pouch are some extra flints, a very small striker and old musket flint and a few wooden toothpicks to plug the touch hole with. Also seen is a small wooden t...
Read more