madPete

Here's one that I made a few years ago, but have never used or sold. It's collecting dust. I will condition it when I do my other one and maybe bring it to Ft Gaines for trade: [Edit: its 19-1/2L x 9W x 8H]

This was my first attempt at a portmanteau after I made a couple map cases. I started with a really heavy leather hide maybe 20oz, its been 10 years so I dont remember exactly. The flap was a slightly lighter weight. You can make them with thinner hide as I've found they hold up pretty well. I've also made 1 or 2 in one continuous piece with the flap. What I do remember is stitching that heavy leather by hand took a real toll on my hands. I'd work on it a couple hours and have to wait a week to continue. Even punching that thick leather prior to stitching was arduous, I think the cow got even with me! I did not make a pattern. I decided how big I wanted it and cut out the ends first. Then I cut one side of the circle which ends up at the bottom so it sits flat. Many you see are round, and attached behind a saddle. But very few surviving examples, most I found are 1800 and later. I cut the main section to the width I wanted, stitched it together, then cut the flap so it was about 3/4-1 inch overlap on each side, and stitched that on the back side. The side handles are two pieces and make it really comfortable (and sturdy) to hold. The handles are an inner strap that attaches to the end and a lighter weight leather wrapped around the strap and baseball stitched. The stitching is on the inside of the strap so you dont see it. If I was to do it again, I would add a handle on the top like I did for Iron Jon's. I used solid brass buckles from Tandy, but when I replace the straps (they aren't really worn, but they tend to curl) I will source original style buckles from "Buckle Castings" aka RIchard Lanni

I found this list of tall ships sailing at the Australia Wooden Boat Festival. I will research them and update: Julie Burgess - The Julie Burgess is a wooden auxiliary gaff rigged ketch used for cray fishing in Tasmania for over 50 years from the 1930's. Home Port: East Devonport, Australia https://www.julieburgess.org/ James Craig - The three masted Barque was launched in 1874. After being beached and scuttled in the far south of Tasmania early in the 20th Century, she was rescued and underwent a 40 year restoration and is one of only 4 of her era still sailing. Home Port: Sydney, Australia https://www.sea.museum/whats-on/our-fleet/tall-ship-james-craig Duyfken - Joining us from the Australian National Maritime in Sydney, the Duyfken is a full scale reproduction of the original ship in 1606. One of the rarest ships in the world, with deep historical links between Australia, Indonesia and the Netherlands. Home Port: Sydney, Australia https://www.sea.museum/whats-on/our-fleet/duyfken Enterprize - The Topsail Schooner is a close replica of the Tall Ship that brought the first European settlers from Tasmania to found the City of Melbourne in 1835. Home Port: Melbourne, Australia https://www1.enterprize.org.au/ Rhona H - The 52 foot fishing vessel was built in 1942 in Launceston and is one of the last functioning traditional rigs of it's type. Home Port: Hobart, Australia https://www.facebook.com/SVRhonaH/ Kerrawyn - A true Tassie gem. Beltz designed and Wilson built. The 53 foot ex fishing ketch now sails the Huon and is a notable example of continuing tradition. Home Port: Huon, Australia https://sailkerrawyn.com/ Soren Larsen - Built in 1949 in Denmark, the 106 foot ship was Flagship of the First Fleet Re-enactment Voyage. Sailing to Hobart from Sydney. Bought in 1978 by the present owner, converted to a late 19th century-style brigantine. Home Port: Sydney, Australia http://www.tallship-fan.de/cgi-bin/tallship_e.pl?ACTION=DISPLAY&SCHIFFSID=805 Lady Nelson - The original Lady Nelson moved over 5,000 people during 1800-1825. The replica of the original Lady Nelson was launched from Ray Kemp's ramp at Margate Tasmania in 1988. She began her voyages soon afterwards, first as a sail training ship in the Derwent, and soon afterwards sailing her first long voyage to Westernport in Victoria. Home Port: Hobart, Australia https://www.ladynelson.org.au/history/lady-nelson-replica One And All - The 141 foot Brigantine was built based on a traditional Carvel construction and a Topsail Schooner Rig and will be sailing from South Australia. Home Port: Port Adelaide Australia https://oneandallship.com.au/ Mistral II (Windeward Bound) - The 110 foot Brigantine has crossed Bass Strait more than 40 times, circumnavigated Australia and sailed to New Zealand and back. Built in Hobart, she has carried more than 6,000 young Australians on her award winning Youth Development programs. Currently being restored Home Port: Hobart Australia https://www.windewardbound.com.au/ Young Endeavor - A two-masted, square-rigged sailing ship that was purpose built for sail training. Since 1988 Young Endeavour has welcomed over 14,000 youth on board to take part in an immersive youth development experience at sea. Home Port: Port Adelaide https://youngendeavour.gov.au/

Its now 10 years old and has aged nicely. It does need a coat of leather conditioner now tho...

Here is the thread on the pub https://pyracy.com/topic/19274-classic-leather-portmanteau/#comment-419413 I attached a photo of it after it has aged nicely ...

Nice Job! and good tutorial. Thats very similar to how I was thinking I would make one. I punted cause I still have my snapsack and a portmanteau.

Welcome back Iron Jon!

The pierced ones dont give off a lot of light, maybe the micah window helps. Its just enough ambient light to find your way in the dark. But my eyes eyes are old too.

The 15 length went from side to side so the tent is 10W by 9L and 5 1/2 ft tall (after washing it an shrinking a bit). I used the smaller piece for doors and the extra layers around the grommets. a piece on each side of main fabric.

The biggest I could find was 12X15 at the time. I used that plus a 7X9 I think for the wedge. The Oar tent was cut to 12x12 square.

I suspected something like that, just couldnt find it. Thank you!

Awesome - Thanks! I too have been disappointed in the mixes lately

People had a lot more time during Covid to research, since we couldnt do much else... From what I saw in England you couldnt even ride/hike outside on the trails during Covid...

Patricks original link is broken, not sure if this is the same set... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2730922/Journey-British-wars-Images-reveal-soldiers-kit-changed-Hastings-1066-Battle-Waterloo-1814.html

There - I feel better...

Yup, I was privileged to borrow one at St Augustine a few years back