How does one make a cow's knee,might come in handy on a rainy day.

I've been wondering the same. I'd like to attempt to make one this winter.

I have made several and they work great(and very simple to do). Got the pattern and instructions on "how to" from Mark Baker's books. Might give that a try!!!

Like most accoutrements they are easy to make and there may be as many different designs as there are those of us who make them ourselves.
I'll try the best I can to describe how I made mine.

I cut an oblong piece of light leather, about 5" x 10". I folded it length wise to make a square 5" on each side. Then I did a whip stitch starting at the folded edge and going down only about half way on one of the open sides. The other sides I left entirely open.
So, when looking at it from the side with a point up it is diamond shaped. The folded side and the half sewn side are the two upper sides. This goes over the frizzen on my flintlock with the frizzen fitting into the point between the folded side and the sewed side.
I punched a small hole through the opposite point, which is on the bottom, and tied a throng in the holes. When the cow's knee is on my flintlock I can then tie the throng around my gunstock to hold it in place.
I used plenty of linseed oil on the leather to waterproof it.
Depending on the size of your lock, you may want to make your's a little larger than mine. Mine is small and barely adaquate for the job, but it does work. Starting with a 6" x 12" piece of leather would cover the lock a little better.
I know some people who just take an 8" or 10" square of leather and fold the whole thing over the lock without any sewing, and tie it in place.
It shouldn't be too difficult to figure out what works best for you.

Thanks!

I also thank you, I will make one. Mark

Here you go.

Mine is just like that one but I made it out of cloth, then painted it with boiled linseed oil to turn it into oilcloth.

LD

Thanks Guys! I still have not made one I am easily confused

I'm pretty slow at this sewing stuff also.I just finished repairing my leather day pack after hemming and hawing for almost two years.Nothing complicated,just almost beyond my abilities.A saddle stitch is my one and only reliable stitch.
Thanks for posting this,I need one of these critters also......Maybe eventually.....

That looks like a easy to to project. I will have to try to make one.

quote:

Originally posted by Loyalist Dave:
Mine is just like that one but I made it out of cloth, then painted it with boiled linseed oil to turn it into oilcloth.

LD

I made a few from the pattern I posted above. For my small caliber squirrel rifles I just made them a little smaller. I've only made them out of leather and have used mink oil to waterproof them. On the back of the lock cover I leave a long thong so I can attach it to my trigger guard so it doesn't fall off and I lose it in the woods. And a strap and a stud on the front makes it faster to remove when game is seen. It should look like this when finished.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kopfjaeger,

Thanks for posting the photo, and the finishing touches. They make it easier for a person with my limited talents.

LeeRoy

Ya,what he said....

Here's a picture of what it will look like on a flintlock rifle.

Another strap option if you don't have or want a stud to secure the strap.