recreating the "Death or Liberty" shot bag of St. George's Virginian ^ a Rifleman

 While getting myself ready for black powder deer season I noticed my old shot bag (similar to the one shown in this more detailed how to post here) was getting pretty roughed up, and the strap is splitting quite a bit, so I decided to make a new one. Given that the 250th of 1777 is next year, something akin to the  "Death or Liberty" shot bag of St. George's Virginian rifleman drawing seemed like a good place to start. 

 

 

Detail from "A ^ Virginian Rifleman", ca. 1777 by Richard St George Mansergh St George,  Harlan Crow Library, Dallas, Texas via Encyclopedia Virginia 

 Although the image is certainly not photorealistic, it shows what appears to be a small blackened shot bag, slightly taller than wide, with a rounded flap and rounded bottom. Most period shot bags or pouches hover around 7 inches or so (roughly a human hand deep and wide). I roughed out my shape on some scrap paper, and played with the proportions until I was happy with the shape. I used some scrap vegetable tanned light leather, 3 ounce or so, and some heavier stuff for the 3/4 inch strap. I ended up with a 2 piece pattern vs. the fold over shown below as I wanted the bottom to be stitched for the rounded look and I couldn't fit the panel as shown below on the leather scrap I decided to use.

St. George depicted the motto on the flap with what appears to be his handwriting, but the extant artifacts that have similar embellishments (cartridge pouches, embossed wallets and etc.) appear to be more formal in lettering, and may have been done with a carved wooden block. I used the "Liberty or Death" motto from the William Waller horn as my inspiration, and sketched it out until I was happy with scale and placement.

 

 "Liberty or Death" from William Waller's horn. MOAR.

 

"Liberty" embossed cartridge pouch flap, ca. 1775. Image from Don Troiani's Campaign to Saratoga.

 I initially used a 3/4 inch dull chisel to block in my ascenders, but it is very easy to score too deeply in the leather, so I moved on to a screwdriver blade.

 

 

Once my basic layout was in, I used an antler tip to burnish my lettering and round things out a bit. 

 

Followed up by dying. Historically, the leather would have more likely have been all dyed prior to cutting out, but I was unsure if I was going to end up with something I was happy with in this trial. 

  

Once dyed, I used a roller to mark my stitching holes and punched them with an awl. First sewing my strap on the back of the bag panel with waxed linen thread, then stitched the front of the bag to the back (dyed sides facing). I then wet the bag and turned it right side out and let dry overnight. Not perfect, but a reasonable facsimile and ready for the field. 

 

 The finished bag drying in the sun.