Tim's Muzzleloading Page

Accoutrements

These are a few of the items I have made or bought for my muzzleloading endeavors. I'm sure there are those who can make these things better,but one of the enjoyable things about this game is being able to make items yourself if you are so inclined.While not giving you complete details on the construction of each item,I will strive to give you enough information to make it possible for you to replicate it using your raw materials and tools you may have.Besides,it's better if your project has a personal touch only you can give it.

My pack frame and pack with bedroll (left) and my haversack (right).Pack frame is made from wood slats and doweling with the pack tied onto it,and bedroll slung underneath. Haversack is used primarily to carry clothes and extra items on longer stays.Notice the camp axe tied to the side of the pack frame.Both items are made from 10 oz Army Duck

My rifle bag and contents(left) Clockwise: Patch knife,speed-loader,starter,primer horn,knapping hammer,vent pick,patches,balls,container for flints,tin of grease.(Right) Canteen and sheep shear knife.Canteen is made from a fruit cake tin.Epoxy lid to tin,cut hole for spout and epoxy a piece of tubing in the hole.Cut a plug,and cover the whole thing with canvas.I painted mine with rustic red acrylic paint.To be sure,you can pour a small amount of melted parrafin into the canteen and slosh it around to seal any leaks.More on Sheep knives later.

Trade Gun bag and contents (left) Clockwise: Primer horn,powder measure,ball starter,folding knife,bag of wads,knapping hammer,small pair vise grips,balls and patches,small shot bag,pouch of jags and flints. (Right) Fire making: Pouch,tinder,sisal twine for tinder,lucifer sticks,cotton for char,tin for cooking char,flint and steel,candle stubs.

Cooking gear:Clockwise:Boiler,folding skillet,salt horn,pepper container,horn spoon,silver spoon,bag of tea and maple cake,candle stubs,fishing kit,tin cup.I made my skillet from a pan I bought at a yard sale for a dime,cut the rim and plastic handle off,and added a folding handle to which I can attach a stick.

Knives and axe.To the left is my Riflemans Knife,which I made from an old file.(Lots of grinding!) Center: Go to a yard sale or flea market and look for an old roofer's hatchet.Mig weld the puller groove shut,cut and re-contour the blade,as well as the poll,and you have a dandy camp axe.Rasp the handle to make it more flat than round.Picture does not do it justice,this is one neat looking axe! Right: Neck knife w/deer leg bone handle.Go down to the slaughter house during deer season and get the leg bones.Wonderful handle material.The joint makes a very decorative handle and the other end makes a common handle.

Ah,yes,sheeep shear knives.Lizard first made me aware of such things.Very proper,period wise.Referred to in Draper's Manuscripts.Most were surely common knives,like the two taller ones in the picture,but man being man,I'm sure some pretty ones were made too.I have been able to buy old shears so far from the fleas for under $5,most were $2 or even$1.But the vendor at the flea market mentioned he thought someone was making knives with them.? Imagine that.Don't go into the construction of sheep knives with pre-concieved ideas about how you want it to look.The knife itself will usually tell you how it wants to look.Small knife at the right end is made by flattening the half round shank of the shears and making a standard slab type handle.Always sharpen shear knives on the one side only!Same as the shear itself was sharpened.

Here's what it's all about.You and your gear out for the weekend with friends.Squirrels to be hunted in the morning,jawing with friends and maybe napping during the day,more squirrels in the late afternoon,and sitting around a fire in the evening.Does it get any better than this?

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