Couple of Native American Questions

Gun Butcher · February 10, 2009, 07:50:50 PM

All the ones I ever saw were just a single pocket. They tended to keep things pretty simple. But it would be out of sight, so you could put one in. I don't see that it would hurt anything.

ChuckBurrows · February 10, 2009, 07:56:51 PM

Fine by me........

Gun Butcher · February 10, 2009, 08:03:12 PM

oops, I hope I didn't wander into the wrong pasture. Can't help but put my 2 cents worth in ever once in a while.

RollingThunder · February 10, 2009, 10:42:13 PM

Thanks Chuck. Posted!

Ottawa Creek Bill · February 16, 2009, 05:53:39 PM

MO....here ya Go!!.....

These are southwestern (Apache) saddle bags that I made a couple of years ago and sold last year for $800.00, the fella wanted them real bad. I have a certificate, so everything I make and sell is sold as Native American made.

The bags are really large and measure over five feet in length (not counting the fringe) and almost a foot and a half wide. You can see the slit in the middle of the bag used to insert your items. I've got another set almost finished that I am going to keep for myself.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

Bill

Apache Saddle Bags.

Marshal Will Wingam · February 16, 2009, 09:48:05 PM

Those are beautiful, Bill. Post a pic for us when you finish the ones you are going to keep. Thanks for sharing.

Mogorilla · February 17, 2009, 07:06:53 AM

Thanks for the Pic OCB! Those look great. Considering the length and width, it may be a while before I tackle those. I have one full hide of deer and another half a hide, but already have some Bota patterns made. Considering I also have a coyote skin, half a wildebeast, and a big piece of elk (these are all hair on), it will be a bit before I feel safe to go buy some more leather. Wife might try her hand with the cast iron skillet

Ottawa Creek Bill · February 17, 2009, 10:03:39 AM

The new bags will be almost identical to these. You can see this style of saddle bags on a lot of old Apache tin types...I'm not sure, but I don't think the plains Indians did the piercings except maybe the Kiowa who had a lot of contact with the Apache.

The holes are all cut one at t time except for the small round holes...those I punched out with a regular leather punch. The red clothe behind the pierced plackets (the pieces with the holes are added separately) is heavy red wool. You can see a set of these some what similar in the film "The Missing" with Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones.

Bill

Mogorilla · February 17, 2009, 12:23:32 PM

The Missing would probably be in my top 10, I am a big Tommy Lee Jones fan, especially the older he gets. To me, short of Lonesome Dove he was really over the top in his early roles and if you want over the Top Powers Booth does it better. Tommy Lee Jones as he aged has mellowed and seems to be a part of the west when he plays these rolls. I will have to watch it again and look at his gear. I am currently reading Craft Manual of North American Indian Footware by George M. White, ISBN 1-884693-00-8, if anyone else is interested. I have always like high top mocs and while I will probably make botas with my deer hide, some Apache shaped sole or Apache Pointed toe are in my future for sure. It seems Apache were the ones who usually wore the high mocs, at least the males anyway. Most of the other surviving high mocs I have seen were women's. i have been called a lot of things in my day, but I think I will avoid the "cross dressing native american wannabee" name calling.

So Apache it is.
On a side funny note, I was working on a sheath for the bowie I made and was folling Chuck Burrows idea of the veg tan core with the rawhide outer. Unfortunately I still have a cold and am attributing last nights mistake to cold meds. I measured the bowie, cut out the veg tan and was sewing it. When I looked at it, I noticed the bowie is wider at the point than at the grip, so I thought, Oops, might not fit. So, I stop and decide to give it a try, slid right in, CUTTING EVERY STITCH!!! My wife looked at me and said "At least you know the knife is sharp" BAck to the drawing board.

Ottawa Creek Bill · February 17, 2009, 02:13:18 PM

Here are the Chiricahua Apache Moccasins that I make. At present I am doing an article for the Shootists magazine (the NCOWS publication) that will have instructions on how to make a pair of correct Apache Moccasins, complete with toe tabs. So, if you guys want to learn to make these the Indian way........you'll have to join NCOWS to get the instructions.

By the way...the soles on these are almost a half inch thick and very comfortable.

Bill

Chiricahua Apache Moccasins.

Another View...............

Ottawa Creek Bill · February 17, 2009, 08:15:31 PM

Some more Apache saddle bags......enjoy.

Bill

Marshal Will Wingam · February 17, 2009, 11:25:15 PM

Those are really something, Bill. Thanks.

Dr. Bob · February 18, 2009, 01:44:59 AM

Howdy OCB,

On the last pair pictured, it looks like the red wool is sewn into the bag and the decorative leather is sewn onto the wool. Am I seeing this right. Those are all way cool!!

Thanks!!

Ottawa Creek Bill · February 18, 2009, 03:41:05 PM

Doc........
That is correct....the wool is stitched in place on the main bag and then the addition of the plackets with the cut outs are laced in place. I'm gonna bring my set of bags and a early half seat 1870's saddle I built to the National shoot to be part of my primitive camp, you can check them out if you want.

Bill

Dr. Bob · February 18, 2009, 06:36:57 PM

OCB,

Great! I most certainly will want to see them!!

GunClick Rick · February 20, 2009, 02:24:12 PM

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/gunclickrick/Yiyiyo012-1.jpg

Ottawa Creek Bill · February 20, 2009, 02:45:14 PM

Quote from: GunClick Rick on February 20, 2009, 02:24:12 PM
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/gunclickrick/Yiyiyo012-1.jpg

Rick....I hope you don't take this the wrong way...but I've never seen a Indian outfit quite like yours...and I've been around Indians all my life. What tribe are you representing and can you give us a run down on your clothing items..

Bill

Daniel Nighteyes · February 20, 2009, 04:01:01 PM

Quote from: Ottawa Creek Bill on February 20, 2009, 02:45:14 PM
Rick....I hope you don't take this the wrong way...but I've never seen a Indian outfit quite like yours...and I've been around Indians all my life. What tribe are you representing and can you give us a run down on your clothing items..

Bill

His shirt does -- kinda/sorta -- look Cherokee. As for the rest, and knowing Rick the way I think I do, I believe I'm experiencing the scratchy sensation of wool being pulled over my eyes.