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Hello everyone, Thought I'd show off some restorations/conversions that I have recently done. While not as impressive as making my own stuff, this was my first foray into larger leather items outside of watch straps which I started making about 6 months ago for myself. While looking for material for watch straps I came across some beat up old swiss saddlebags in a box under a table of an old military surplus store. This first set was from 1939 and were in pretty rough shape. The bags were so nice that I decided I wouldn't reuse the leather for straps and instead put them away and began a slow process of softening up the stiff leather. Fast forward a few months and I bought another set, these dated 1941 and 1942. These were slightly different from my previous set and in much better condition. It was with these that I decided to try my hand at converting them into something different. For this first bag I did the following: Removed all threads and rivets Cleaned and flattened the leather pieces Conditioned the leather Put it all together again by hand using Tiger thread that was a good match for the original thread and custom made aluminum rivets I also added some additional pieces: Handle (used the original connecting strap between the bags) A back pouch for papers (this used one of the original saddlebags that wasn't restorable) a lower luggage strap (used a 1942 K31 swiss rifle sling) An upper luggage strap (this used the pieces/hardware from a 1946 Swiss canteen) Shoulder pad (used more leather from the 1939 nonrestorable saddlebag) Should strap (2 K31 rifle slings from 1945 and 1952). A Swiss Army dog tag A center strap using swiss army accessory straps Modified single ammo pouch from 1944 (also torn apart, cleaned and restored) A large ammo pouch from 1962 (same as the rest) The 2nd bag is one of the originals from 1939. Unlike the 1942 bag that had 2 straps on the interior for horseshoes, this one only had a single pocket for one horseshoe. In the process of restoring this bag I again took it apart, cleaned it up and restored it. At some point in it's past a connecting bar had been poorly riveted to the back that I had to remove. It also had its original D-Rings for attaching to the horse saddle removed so I had to add new square rings to accomodate the shoulder strap. When I put it back together I decided to add an additional pouch to this one and installed it between the front piece and the gusset and the welt. I also added a pencil pouch from a Swiss Army Officer's Bag from 1970. I also installed one of the straps from the unrestorable bag and moved the interior pocket to the side. I also decided to make a sleeve for my Macbook Pro just for a bit of added protection and used the same leather that was used for the handle wraps of both bags. Modifications done to this one: Removed all threads and rivets Cleaned and flattened the leather pieces Conditioned the leather Put it all together again by hand using Tiger thread that was a good match for the original thread and chicago screws I also added some additional pieces: Handle (used the original connecting strap between the bags) A pencil pouch (from a 1970 Officer's bag) Shoulder pad (used more leather from the 1939 nonrestorable saddlebag) Should strap (2 K31 rifle slings from 1943and 1944). A front center strap using swiss army accessory straps A large ammo pouch from 1962 (same as the rest) Thanks for looking.

Looking for this hardware, its on a German WWII bag I have, the hardware is all aluminum I believe, sort of like sam brown buttons but with a much larger shoulder...they are riveted on with a washer. Thanks!

Custom set for Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S with matching military star design - swingarmbag, forkbag, and fender bib. Same as all our projects 100% handstitched. No machine work, except for the edge burnishing. See more work at www.tauruscustoms.com

So I was prowling the bowels of reddit (they have a leathercraft section as well), and I stumbled across a possible deal for current or prior service US Military. Apparently, starting November 1st 2016, If you are or were US Military, you will be eligible for their Elite membership or Elite prices. The employee said that the criteria for your eligibility will be coming in the November sales flyer. I have posted the link to the original below. I may have to call tandy on monday to either confirm or deny this. https://www.reddit.com/r/Leathercraft/comments/57m1rb/just_a_heads_up_from_a_tandy_employee_for_any/#bottom-comments

I've been sentenced to a wheelchair, at least for now, so while I go about wheeled I want to make sure I go about heeled. I can't use the holster I used to carry my Beretta Cougar in because the arm rests interfere with my draw from 4:00, and I'm afraid of appendix carry. Anyone can win the lottery, and I don't want to shoot my nuts off. I'm pretty disciplined with my firearms, but I've proven to be unlucky and my physical acuity is waning. (Spinal injuries are miserable. Avoid them if you can.) So I decided I wanted to go back to carrying in a shoulder rig, but I grew to dislike my old Galco, which carried the pistol horizontally, because I was constantly lasering the folks behind me. It was also an awkward draw. Back before I became disabled I had been a power lifter (saved my life in the big crash) so I have enough muscle around me that it's not easy to reach around and draw. I considered a cross draw, but it doesn't address the issue of what to do with the piece when I visit the head. I need a shoulder rig. So the point I'm getting at, in case my tags didn't give me away, is that I'd like to make myself a custom tanker holster. It'll let me carry more towards the front of my torso, and pointed at an angle toward the deck instead of at random innocents. Plus, it's a cool design. But I can't just take one off the shelf because my wife bought me a Colt rail Gun for our anniversary - and she is a keeper, that one (the wife, although the pistol is, too) - and I slapped a laser/light show on the rail, so nothing out there fits it. But I earned Leatherworking Merit Badge back in the late twentieth century, so I think I can make one of my own. But here's my question: can anyone tell me anything helpful about adapting existing designs to accommodate various dust cover-mounted gizmos? I was thinking about wrapping the pistol and laser/light in plastic wrap, and then wet-molding the whole assembly with a sheet of leather big enough to leave a substantial border, then laying it down on a tanker-styled shape and carving off what I don't need. (I'd add a large oval strap in front of it all with the old "US" logo, just as a respectful shout out to tradition.) Am I kidding myself, or am I onto something here? I'd be grateful for any suggestions, insights, advice, or dirty limericks. Thanks in advance. All the best, George

Looking for an accurate pattern to make this if anyone has this pattern, please... http://www.victoryge...rimaryCatID=58 Here is a reproduction of the same case... http://onlinemilitar...p?id=3580&bc=no Thanks for any leads...

Hey guys, finished up another color combo of my military inspired weekender duffle bag. Inspired by the Navy sea bag and an army duffle this weekender carry on is anything but the ordinary luggage. Selvage canvas from the esteemed White Oak factory of Cone Mills in North Carolina. Leather is veggy tanned Hermann Oak #1. The color combo came out really nice. Canvas is a warm grey, sort of in the "dogwood" range. Leather was undercoated in tan, then top coated in dark brown for a very deep brown with a hint of reddish tone to it. Does anyone else use 2 different colors when dying leather? Solid brass hardware, and hand saddle stitched with havana brown tiger thread 0.8 mm. Canvas is finished with an outer layer of otter wax. Top closure is an envelope style folded closure that has some range to fill it all the way up or not so much. Inside large pocket and "hanging" dopp YKK zip bag for personal items. Would love your input on the leather work, but overall style comments are welcomed too.

Hey everyone Im having "artist block" if that's a thing haha. I am in the U.S. Navy and I'm leaving for basic training in January. Before I go I want to tool a journal to take with me to my A-school. I'm thinking of doing a small 3 ring binder set up with the hardware attached to the spine. I chose this set up so that it can be multipurpose (journal, workout log, day planner...) I know I would like to incorporate the anchor but I'm not sure where to go from there. I thought about a Sheridan style but I think I want this a little more origional, but at the same time I want the "D@MN" factor! Any ideas would be much appreciated! Thank you and HOOYAH!

Hey everyone Im having "artist block" if that's a thing haha. I am in the U.S. Navy and I'm leaving for basic training in January. Before I go I want to tool a journal to take with me to my A-school. I'm thinking of doing a small 3 ring binder set up with the hardware attached to the spine. I chose this set up so that it can be multipurpose (journal, workout log, day planner...) I know I would like to incorporate the anchor but I'm not sure where to go from there. I thought about a Sheridan style but I think I want this a little more origional, but at the same time I want the "D@MN" factor! Any ideas would be much appreciated! Thank you and HOOYAH!