By Al Scanlan
Often ordinary objects of daily life are left behind. They may be discarded, forgotten or misplaced. Years, even centuries, can pass before they resurface to the great surprise and joy of future generations. The photo shown is of one such collective of items. Once they resurface we have the pleasure to discuss, study and learn from them. The bag was acquired by the current owner with all items inside.
There are generally three core questions on such finds. What is it? Where did it come from? How old is it?
It is a hunting bag and given the small size (about 7” X 6”) it would generally be referred to as a “day bag.” Day bags were used to carry related items needed during a day of hunting. The small size is indicative of a limited trip with only the necessities carried into the field or forest. Longer trips and trips intended to explore unknown territory would be larger.
Day bags such as this were common generic utilitarian items found throughout the early years of the nation. This bag shows no specific geographical connection. It may have found use and been made in Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio or Virginia but it could also have been from almost anywhere as they were commonly made by the user as a home spun necessity of the times. This specific bag is probably a product of a Virginia maker and made for their own use. The current owner indicates it was sold at an auction of a small museum located in “Valley of Virginia” and was reported to have been in their possession for many years, thus we’ll call in a “Virginia” Day Bag.
The best guess is that the bag was made during the middle of the 19th century and potentially still in use into the early 20th century. While similar bags were in use much earlier, older ones would probably not be found in such good condition. Some of the bag’s contents tell us more.
What’s in the bag?
A powder horn, attached to the strap, carried externally.
A “pick” (fastened to the strap near the bag on the left side). Most commonly used with a flintlock rifle to clean the flash hole between shots. But a pick could also be used to clear the path to the powder charge through the nipple of the cap lock. This pick and the smaller horn leave the question open as to the kind of rifle that may have been carried. Clearly, a cap lock but the pick and small horn suggest that the cap lock may have been a converted flintlock from earlier times.
A small silk tobacco bag in which there are a number of 32 caliber lead balls. A relatively small caliber rifle suited for small game. Tobacco “silks” were common premiums with tobacco products and making them into a draw-string bag was a cottage industry in tobacco country during the late 19th century and into the early 20th century.
A 32 caliber ball mold. There are two unusual features on the ball mold. One is the end which appears to have been shaped into a “turn screw” (screwdriver). The other is the “shear” which would be used to clip spurs off the balls after unmolding.
Lengths of mattress or pillow ticking used as patch material for shooting and a well worn patch “punch” or cutter.
A small tuff of tow. Tow was used as cleaning material for muzzle loading rifles or it could have been used as tinder to start a fire.
A tin container of caps for a black powder cap lock rifle with the small horn noted above. The small horn may have been used to carry caps or may have initially been a pan charger for a flint rifle. The brand of caps (Goldmark’s) was sold by Winchester from about 1879 until about 1909 which supports the notion that it was in use during this time but not necessarily made during this time. The possibility that the owner may have initially had a flint rifle suggests the bag may have been made and in use earlier than 1850.
Powder measurer. Powder from the horn would have been poured into the measurer, an antler tip, and then poured down the barrel of the rifle followed by the patched round ball.
The final item is the compass. The compass suggests that even though it is a “day bag” the hunter may have occasionally ventured into unknown territory, possible beyond “Timber Ridge” and needed the compass to find his way home.
As a rediscovered treasure one can now engage in a flight of fantasy on the life and times of the owner. Who was he? Where did he live and hunt? Was he young or old? What conditions did he face in his daily life? What happened on the day that he returned from the woods, hung the bag on a peg behind the door only to have it resurface 150 years later. Maybe that is where the story of greater interest begins.
