Post
by dhaverstick » Mon Jul 20, 2015 7:13 pm
Mike,
The long gun is a smoothbore 12 gauge and the pistol is a smoothbore 20 gauge. I also have .50 cal longrifle flinter. All were made by my good friend, John Pruitt, in Spring City, TN.
Yes, all the leather goods were hand stitched by me. When I got into traditional muzzleloader hunting about 10 years ago, I started buying some leather accouterments to go along with the guns. I found that I was needing some alterations to some of the things and asked a friend of mine if he could do it for me. He gladly did and then told me that I could have easily done it myself with a little direction. That push was all I needed. Fortunately, I work in Springfield, MO, which is the home of the Springfield Leather Company. They were very helpful in getting me started and a bazillion dollars and many hours later I became adequate at the craft. I really love doing everything by hand even though it takes me ten times long than someone with a machine. I sell a piece from time to time but the price only covers the leather and a fraction of my time. I don't care. It's something I love to do. If you would like to see some of the other stuff I've made, I can post some links to photo galleries of my work.
Darren