Found a Reach speed bag...need help researching it

[Tcool13]

Trying to learn more about vintage speed bag restoration. I recently found a fairly large Reach bag. The bottom does not have a needle hole to inflate a bladder it has a sewed on Reach label instead. It seems like there is a smaller speed bag with a bladder stuffed inside the larger bag. I’m trying to figure out what I have...how were bags filled before they had a needle insert on the bottom?
Apologies if this is a basic question...I’m a boxing fan that stumbled onto this and I’m hooked on learning more.

[Tcool13]

Also, any tips on restoring the leather. I used a cleaner and one pass with a leather conditioner so far.

[Tcool13]

[dad]

Also, any tips on restoring the leather. I used a cleaner and one pass with a leather conditioner so far.

Find a Tack shop

[Dutchman]

Your bag is similar to the Reach bag that I have. It's a # 3 1/2. The bladder it originally had an inflation tube that was accessed by unlacing the top of the bag to inflate it. This used to be the norm for striking bag bladders up into the 1930's. I use a large Title butyl double end bag bladder, it fills the bag out nicely. I estimate that the bag that I have dates from the mid to late 1930's. They appear to have been just about the last firm to use this type of bladder. By this time most of the other makers had switched to either bladders that the valve was in the neck of the bag, or in the base (where we are used to seeing them).

[Tcool13]

Thank you for the info!