I had come across this before but never thought about it to much. Look at the red text. The rest is just bonus
"His dress and appearance are equally singular. His skin, from constant exposure,
assumes a hue almost as dark as that of the Aborigine, and his features and
physical structure attain a rough and hardy cast. His hair, through inattention,
becomes long, coarse and bushy, and loosely dangles upon his shoulders. His
head is surmounted by a low crowned wool-hat, or a rude substitute of his own
manufacture. His clothes are of buckskin, gaily fringed at the seams with strings
of the same material, cut and made in a fashion peculiar to himself and
associates. The deer and buffalo furnish him the required covering for
his feet, which he fabricates at the impulse of want. His waist is
encircled with a belt of leather, holding encased his butcher- knife and
pistols- while from his neck is suspended a bullet pouch securely fastened
to the belt in front, and beneath the right arm hangs a powder horn transversely
from his shoulder...The mountaineer is his own manufacturer, tailor. shoemaker
and butcher; and fully accoutred and supplied with ammunition in a good game
country, he can always feed and clothe himself, and enjoy all the comfort the
situation affords. No wonder, then, his proud spirit, expanding with the intuitive
knowledge of noble independence, becomes devotedly attached to those
regions and habits that permit him to stalk forth, a sovereign amid nature?s
loveliest works." "
Rocky Mountain Life" Rufus Sage, Pages 38 and 39.
After thinking about this, I wonder if it wasn't a mistake or maybe not seen correctly. Why would something be around the neck AND securely attached to the front of the belt. It seems as it would restrict movement when leaning back by tugging on either or both ends, and when leaning forward the loop would dangle and maybe become an obstacle for the hands of the individual.
Though my knowledge of PC attire is limited at best and I have not ever seen this in any picture. I have some knowledge of horse riding, although that was SOME years ago, I did not like anything suspended in front me, especially if I was using my hands do do things associated with riding a horse.
I am curious if anybody has more information or can explain this.
This is not unlike a shoulder holster that is fastened around the shoulders and also to the belt or a belt holster with leg ties. This would keep the pouch from dangling in your way when bending over tending traps and also from swinging in any direction when moving. Seems logical to me.
coould ot be a lanyard for a pistol tucked in the belt but not easily seen
Lots of old timers wraped their belt "over" the straps of their shooting bags to keep them from flopping around if they had to move at a trot or run.
Very picturesque writing to say the least. Would make sense to me to keep something as important as bullet bag secure and yet readily available. Think it also suggests that each one was in their own an individual. Good article how ever you read it. Thanks
i wear my bullet bag over my neck and tucked into my pants. there is a little room to snake out a round. i hunt in the swamps of Florida