The Armour Archive

Here is a pouch I've made, patterened off of some I have seen at reenactments. I made the belt loop and tab out of antler, versus the more common metal tabs I've seen.

I am looking to see if anyone knows any documentation for this type of pouch or the right direction for me to look in.

Cheers,

Uric

What culture and period are you aiming for here? It would help in answering your question.

A direction to look in: http://www.larsdatter.com/pouches.htm

Yours doesn't closely resemble any of the medieval examples I've collected, unfortunately.

I think that is a version of a Birka pouch Blackoak made.

Okay, it's something like this Birka pouchthat Beathan of Armor and Castings offers. And here's another example that I believe is by those groovy European Viking Trader folk that show up to merchant at Estrella and Pennsic.

I have seen (photos of) the artifacts before and IIRC there's not much of the original purse leather extant, just the metal fittings as they were found grouped and positioned in the grave. Therefore I wonder if any construction of the leather pieces has to be speculation.

Here's some more info and examples:

http://www.geocities.com/normanjfin/bel ... aplts.html

http://www.urweg.com/list/bags.html



Tim

More images of the Birka reconstructions:
http://www.missouri.edu/~winsloww/archi ... ses/Birka/
http://www.missouri.edu/~winsloww/archi ... d_Taschen/

And here's the Birka 'Lyre Purse" I made a year or so ago:





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I can't believe I gave it away!!! I need to make another one...

Cheers,
Tim

Thanks for the sites/cites!---I have to make a pouch and retailor my garb as I am now on an insulin pump and need to hide it in a way to not detract from my kit...

Wearing it underneath clothing is not suggested as I have to access it on a semi regular basis and the insulin should be stored at a lower than body temp---and you though glasses were bad!

Thomas

Thanks for the replies and sites. I have seen several viking reenactors with similar pouches and was not sure of the time period, although I believed it was a variation of a Birka pouch.

This was a proto-type I made, and was looking for a similar pouch style that I could document. These sites will help me a lot.

Now I need to get some nice bling to put on it.

Thanks again,

Uric

Raymonds Quiet Press has belt findings that might work. I believe he has some enamelled pieces as well. You can always paint it as well.

Cris

Bottom of page here: http://www.jelldragon.com/pouches.htm

Blackoak wrote:I have seen several viking reenactors with similar pouches and was not sure of the time period, although I believed it was a variation of a Birka pouch.

Yer walking into a trap there. Check for primary sources, don't trust the stuff that people wear on the field! Especially pouches, as they are usually designed more out of modern convenience than from a historical viewpoint...

Johan Schubert Moen

Uric

If you would like suggestions I have a couple. 1) Use veggie tanned or oak tanned leather (like Tim used), these processes are closer to the leather medieval people used. Looks like you used chrome tanned leather which is totally modern; silicon is used in the process. 2) Use waxed linen thread or sinew instead of artificial sinew it makes a big difference in the over all look of your item.

Good luck with the next one.

I think the antler fittings are spiffy, and bring a new look to the overused cast pieces. Bone, antler and horn were the plastic of the ancient and medieval worlds.

I agree with Paul. I really enjoy seeing antler/horn/bone adornments and I like the way you handled these details on your pouch.

Tim

Thanks guys. I was really pleased with the way the antler came out as well. I will be doing more with it in the future.

Johan, I understand that trap well. Just because you see it alot doesn't mean anything. That's the main reason I was trying to find accurate sources for my next one.

I agree with you James, about the type of leather. I am going to do a few things with this leather to get some pattern straight before I do the final stuff.

Thanks for the input guys, I appreciate it.

Uric