RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 23, 2022 17:49:49 GMT -7
Time to make a way to carry things. If anyone has period images, experience, quotes… I’d love the input. This will be of heavy linen canvas and likely painted.
Maybe. You know how it goes. I’ve collected a few images, but need to dig them out.
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Post by hawkeyes on Jun 24, 2022 2:58:04 GMT -7
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Snapsack
Jun 24, 2022 3:35:18 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by paranger on Jun 24, 2022 3:35:18 GMT -7
When I made mine, I used a goat hide that measured about 35" × 25" once I squared it up, and that seemed to work out to about the right dimensions, given the best I could judge from the proportions in the Penny and Morier paintings. It also has proven to be a practical size for me over several years' use.
So, I would say somewhere in the 3ft×2ft neighborhood is a good starting point.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 24, 2022 5:47:05 GMT -7
Great start. Hawkeyes, that’s fantastic work, and paranger’s goat bag I’ve seen elsewhere does certainly inspire. The snowshoeman image might be as close as I’ve seen to civilian use of this type of carry. The snapsack’s use seems to be accepted among living history folks, but I’ve had little luck coming up with documentation. Here’s another image that shows a snapsack in use… complete with fowl attached. The nearer fella seems to be wearing some sort of two-strap knapsack or an early ‘lumbar pack’. I remember once seeing period paintings of vast cityscapes in Europe where the very small people in the image seemed to be wearing bags of this sort. I’ll likely paint this sack as well. That’s another thing that’s been tough for me to confirm. Time to get started…
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Post by lenapej on Jun 25, 2022 12:18:54 GMT -7
I have a snapsack made from duck cloth and like it, I found you have to plan when stuffing it or you end up having to empty the whole thing to get at an item in the bottom, lol I was surprised how much stuff you can get into them. In this photo the strap is too long and I have since shortened it to ride higher (more like the above image) so its not flopping around.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 25, 2022 13:50:43 GMT -7
That’s a good looking bag! I’ve gotten efficient at packing traditional packs over the years, but it can still be a ‘period correct’ hassle to dig something out. Still easier than the blanket roll over the shoulder I did for ACW.
Y’a know… I have come across an earlier version of a sausage bag that… get this!… opens at both ends! Whatcha think? PC??
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Post by artificer on Jun 25, 2022 18:40:43 GMT -7
I have no idea whether a sausage bag that opens from both ends might be PC. Is it something you can document to your Swiss German heritage from the period? If so, that would be a very interesting and unique additional item for your persona.
Gus
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Post by lenapej on Jun 25, 2022 18:59:11 GMT -7
That’s a good looking bag! I’ve gotten efficient at packing traditional packs over the years, but it can still be a ‘period correct’ hassle to dig something out. Still easier than the blanket roll over the shoulder I did for ACW. Y’a know… I have come across an earlier version of a sausage bag that… get this!… opens at both ends! Whatcha think? PC?? Thanks, it seems I have seen a bag that was open at both ends but I can't remember where or what...so I dunno if its PC or not...I am working at getting my scattered documentation a little more organized,...something I'm not good at
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 28, 2022 15:59:18 GMT -7
I’m trying to organize as well. Somewhere I have documentation of one open at both ends with the strap just loose through the tube. I think it was late 17th early 18th century.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 28, 2022 16:00:49 GMT -7
Snap, don’t clap… Snapsack!Well… it’s cut out, anyway. 😎
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 30, 2022 12:27:54 GMT -7
I decided to make this just a bit smaller than a lot of ready-made examples. I’m also making a tumpline, so between the two pieces of kit, I would be in fine shape aloft in the woods. This is about 13”x20” to where it’ll be tied off. I also wanted to challenge myself with a curved seam, so I rounded the bottom corner as seen on some period examples. I also like this design as it will keep weight there distributed across a nice radius rather than a hard corner. The curve is fair when there’s stuff in the sack. Small stitches and flat felled seams throughout.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 30, 2022 12:30:01 GMT -7
I’ll be using a leather strap to sling the sack. I added reinforcements where the leather will attach to the canvas. This is heavy, 10oz linen canvas, BTW. Note that I placed the ‘rear’ or ‘bottom’ attachment point on the vertical seam. This will place the direction of strain in-line with the leather strap and avoid undue stress on fabric, leather and stitches.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 30, 2022 12:39:53 GMT -7
So I’m at a stopping point for a number of reasons…
My buckle hasn’t arrived and I don’t want to cut leather without it in hand.
I haven’t decided on what to use to tie it closed. I decided against a drawstring because I feel they don’t really close a sack up tight, and since the opening is skyward, that’s an are for rain to ingress. This will have an attached piece of something - hemp cordage, leather wang, woven tape - and a simple twist of the sack neck and tie-off closure.
Ah! But! Even if I had me buckle and a piece of twine, I wouldna attach ‘em yet. Because… I’m not sure if I want to paint this. My options are to paint for waterproofing, give it a light walnut dye bath, or let it alone.
Thoughts and opinions?? I’m not sure how common a painted sack would be among civilians in 1750.
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Post by spence on Jun 30, 2022 13:02:49 GMT -7
Thoughts and opinions?? I’m not sure how common a painted sack would be among civilians in 1750. Don't know about painted sacks, but waxed wallets were there. The Pennsylvania Gazette December 11, 1766 RUN away from the subscriber, living on Barrenhill, in Whitemarsh township, Philadelphia county, on the 2d inst. December, a bound servant man, named George May, a smith by trade, 22 or 23 years old, upwards of 5 feet high, dark complexion, brown eyes, thick lips, broad nose, his knees bent, is a German, but lately come to this province; had on, and took with him, when he went away, a light blue coat, turned, with mohair buttons, a blue torn jacket, with brass hollow buttons, old leather jacket, without sleeves, a Callimancoe ditto, with flowered buttons, a coarse hat, with two buttons, one on the crown, the other on the side, two pair of leather breeches, old light grey stockings, a black crape neckcloth, old shoes, a pair of pumps, with square buckles, four shirts, a waxed linen wallet, and several smith’s tools to shoe horses. Whoever takes up the said servant, and brings him to his master, or secures him, so that his master may have him again, shall have Three Pounds reward, and reasonable charges, paid by BERNARD RAPP. Depending on how you decide to close it, it might be better to leave it plain. Painted, waxed or any such waterproofing might make it too stiff for tying easily. I used beeswax on my haversack 30 years ago and could not be more pleased, but a little stiffness is no problem there. Spence
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Snapsack
Jun 30, 2022 15:09:26 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by brokennock on Jun 30, 2022 15:09:26 GMT -7
I'd wax it if anything. You could put an inner flap that goes over your stuff but under the drawstring opening. But I feel this is overdoing what should be a simple item. My plan, if I ever get to it. Is a simple drawstring. But, I plan to carry mine horizontally across my back with the strap across my upper chest, around the upperdeltoid, the way I do my blanket on a hopus strap. This should hopefully be enough to keep most weather out. My matchcoat should cover the sack anyway.
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