Black powder double shot snake need help

[DoubleKCustomLeathercraft]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I think I've figured out what I'm going to do now. A plastic sheeting will probably work best. I can make it the right shape without having to make any adjustments to the pattern. For now though, the order has been postponed. I can't blame him. Those shot chargers are 110 bucks a piece now. When I made his first one in the picture they were only 70 bucks a piece so he got a little sticker shocked. I did too lol

He's getting a holster for his colt woodsman first. This will be the final of 5 identical holsters. His dad and brothers all have the same model colts.

[DoubleKCustomLeathercraft]

On 9/8/2025 at 6:02 AM, Mulesaw said:

@dikman Ah, yes, that is a mistake from my side 🙂

In my head it was for powder, not the lead shots. 

I have never seen one of those before, so I thought it was for simultaneously filling powder in a double barrel muzzle loaded shotgun. 
But is the idea that you carry 2 sizes of shots? Or is it for a double barrel shotgun ?

Brgds Jonas

You're not wrong. One side holds powder and the other holds shot. He's an upland hunter and this works well for the shotgun I guess. I know little about black powder. When I made the first one, I did a lot of research along with digging through my stacks of patterns. I dunno where I got it, but i found a single shot snake pattern in my collection and went from there. He really loves it. Now he wants to get one made for his son, when the funds come in. I started above about the sticker shock we both got haha 

[DoubleKCustomLeathercraft]

On 9/7/2025 at 4:51 PM, dikman said:

Bit of confusion there Jonas, he's talking about the lead shot not Black Powder. Brass would deform and crush if dropped/sat on whatever. Some sort of polyethylene funnel cut off and stitched inside? Or sheet polyethylene (milk bottle?) rolled into shape and stitched inside? Or as Chuck suggested, veg tan made to shape and stiffened (hot water?).

It's designed for both shot and powder. I think I'll end up using a plastic sheet similar to the thickness of a milk jug. I can manipulate that into the right shape funnel which means no pattern adjustments. It's already a difficult build, so I'm gonna try and keep any modifications easy. I'm lost when it comes to black powder and the accessories, but it works and he loves it enough that he wants to get one made for his son (eventually). The prices of materials have jumped significantly more than either of us expected. He's gotta get funds together. In the meantime I'll be making the final of five identical holsters. The whole family is full of collectors and his dad gifted them all colt woodsman 22 pistols. 

[fredk]

I'm just remembering that Tandy used to sell a plastic sort-of sheet that could be formed with the heat of a hair dryer. Some ppl used to make holster shapes out of it and use it as a stiffener in the holster

I got conned into buying a sheet of it in 2017. I wonder where its at?

Somebody more intelligent than me might remember what its called

 

edit; Kydex? or something, maybe

Edited 21 hours ago by fredk

[DoubleKCustomLeathercraft]

5 hours ago, fredk said:

I'm just remembering that Tandy used to sell a plastic sort-of sheet that could be formed with the heat of a hair dryer. 

I'm sure I know what you're talking about, but cannot think of what is called offhand. I'm thinking if using this white plastic sheeting I forgot I had leftover from a doing a shower upgrade for my (half) sister's mother. It'll take her to get it into a funnel like shape that tight. If not, then a poly pattern sheet that I have. I need it to be thin and light at the same time as form fitting, while also being able to stitch it all together. That's why I decided to go with a thinner sheet plastic that what I original thought. 

[dikman]

Powder AND shot - I did wonder why you would make a double shot holder but not having any experience with that side of BP shooting I took it at face value. I would have thought carrying a separate powder horn/flask would make more sense.

[DoubleKCustomLeathercraft]

8 minutes ago, dikman said:

Powder AND shot - I did wonder why you would make a double shot holder but not having any experience with that side of BP shooting I took it at face value. I would have thought carrying a separate powder horn/flask would make more sense.

I really don't know myself. It's a completely foreign sport for me. I was behind the gun counter for 15 years, sold all the modern supplies for BP. I don't think I once had a costumer that was shooting bp shotguns. I know nothing about any of it though. If someone came in, they needed to know what they were looking for or I would get a coworker that knew a little more than nothing. 

This client here is really into the traditional black powder shooting and hunting. I believe he also does reenactments. I recently did a holster for his handgun that he was fairly specific on. Match the period specific. 

[dikman]

As they say, the customer is always right. I guess he knows what he's doing, regardless you did an excellent job on the snake.

[chuck123wapati]

Just my two cents, but here's how I see it. I've shot a lot of bp and been around bp folks. They are particular about their sport, they do it for a reason. 

You say this fellow is a collector and real bp buff. Well then i would scratch a big no about fixing this with plastic of any kind. I can tell you now he probably wouldnt like it. His double barrel is probably worth about  3 grand or so and he hunts and uses it specifically because it is a reminder of the past, he can buy cheap crap on the net, but he chooses not to for a reason. My advice is still thicker veg tan around the nozzle. I think it will actually be easier than plastic in the long run and will retain its shape if you seal it well. Taking the easy way out may shoot you in the foot on this one. Collectors are picky folk. Bp folk and their accouterments are in an era that didn't include plastic lol.

Either way small shot and black powder will build up between the funnel and the leather if you don't glue it or get a really good tight fit and good luck on your project!!!