Cowboy 'Appendix' Carry Suspender Holsters

[Captain Kangaroo]

Hello all, I've been trying to find this weird holster rig for SAA for a few years without any luck, was hoping someone on the forum might know what the name is or if anyone has a rig like this or makes holsters like it. I did at one point find a photo of a derringer setup with this aiwb suspender deal but have lost it. There's a 'sheriffs model' holster out there but it sits outside the pants like a chest or shoulder holster. If anyone has any information on these I'd greatly appreciate it, I'm out of ideas on how to find more information on it.



This rig can be seen in the Thunder Ranch Clint Smiths video Revolvers Part Three

 

[SterlingBullet]

I’ll be in “suspense” until you get information on these suspenders.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I'll hang around to see as well.

 

[Milt1]

I saw Marlon Brando in One Eyed Jacks yesterday on the tube. He appendix carried the whole movie and it seemed to me that would be extremely uncomfortable. I could never tell if his revolver was in an inside belt holster. Just another Hollywood example that's not true to life.

 

[Miguel Loco]

Those are interesting. I've wanted to make one since I saw a picture of one in the book "Packing Iron" some time ago. I have a feeling that it would work well while standing, but sitting with it on may be nearly impossible with the barrel length shown. Someday I may have the time to make one for my 3.5" birdshead just to try it out. It's close to an old style shoulder rig in some aspects. I've aways called them a "suspender button" rig.....but that's just me.

I doubt you'll find anyone making them commercially. If you have a holster maker in your area that specializes in old west style gun leather, I'm sure they could build you one.

 

[Mauser lover]

If you never sat down, it would probably not be uncomfortable.

 

[Miguel Loco]

The research I've done on these .... they appear to start showing up on the late 1880's, early 1890's. Small caliber pocket revolvers were quite popular then. With a small frame revolver like that, I'm sure it wouldn't be all that uncomfortable. But for a 5.5" 73.... I think it would just be too much.

 

[Captain Kangaroo]

Yeah I think they might be interesting seated, with the height suspender pants sit vs modern pants, I think they have an extra 3-4 inches. Carrying appendix is doable, sitting is not super comfortable for me. These holsters look like they would sit more in line with your thighs/legs at the 2 o'clock/10 o'clock and I've heard and seen people carry there. My colts are 5.5" guns and that might cause problem, but yet again people carry Glock 34s in the appendix position.

Thank you for your information Miguel, I'll have to see if I can find that book!

 

[Miguel Loco]

Yeah I think they might be interesting seated, with the height suspender pants sit vs modern pants, I think they have an extra 3-4 inches. Carrying appendix is doable, sitting is not super comfortable for me. These holsters look like they would sit more in line with your thighs/legs at the 2 o'clock/10 o'clock and I've heard and seen people carry there. My colts are 5.5" guns and that might cause problem, but yet again people carry Glock 34s in the appendix position.

Thank you for your information Miguel, I'll have to see if I can find that book!

Your welcome Captain. There's not much info on it in that book, just a picture and brief description. The book is not cheap, but indispensable for and old western holster maker like me.

My thought would be to make rear side ear of the holster slightly longer or at a slight slant from the front ear. But then it may bulge out the side of your pants.

Like I said, I'm going to try one for my 3.5" birds head......but I'd really like to find something closer to a 77 lightning size. The .38's just seem to have a better size for a holster like that. Another excuse to buy another gun.