Home made holster for ROA

[Loosenock]

Been a snowy start to week here and I decided to made a holster for my Ruger Old Army. I know, I could have went out and bought one but I like making my own stuff.

After surfing the internet for historic holsters I decided on the Mexican double loop of the mid to late 1800's.

Here's a pic of the patern made from a taped up FedEx box and the leather cut out.



Here is a pic of the patern laying on the leather so I could transfer the hole spacing onto the leather.



Pic of the holster with temporary stitching after wet forming.



Pic of holster after dyeing.



Holster after final stitching a burnishing with canvas.



Now I'll search for an old belt buckle and make myself a proper belt.

I would like to read your suggestions and opinions if you care to comment about it.

Thanks

'Loose

 

[junkman_01]

That's just beautiful!

 

[Oyeboten]

Nice!


This is actually a good Tutorial on how to do it, too.

 

[ClemBert]

Nice job! It's a beauty!!!!

I'm pretty ignorant of western holsters but does that finger hole make it more likely that one would/could pull the trigger while its still in the holster? What technique is typically used to draw your weapon?

 

[Loosenock]

Clem I'm no expert on this either and in the latter part of the 1800's I don't know what the mind set was on revolver carry.

I dont think you would actually stick your finger into the slot and draw the gun by the trigger. It would allow you draw it pulling the grip using the 3 lower fingers with your trigger finger extended along side the trigger guard and trigger. Once the gun cleared leather and was being pointed or aimed, it would be very quick and easy to curl the trigger finger onto the trigger.

I made this holster for field carry while working on my property. No bushwackers to worry about, just the rare rattler that wants to be contankerous. So I would draw the gun buy gripping the handle and frame with 4 fingers. When it was drawn, aimed at what I was going to shoot and the hammer cocked, I would then place the pad of my trigger finger on the trigger.

Thanks for your question. Thanks to all for your comments.

'Loose

 

[AJumbo]

Looks hand-sewn; excellent work! I don't have a Tippmann, so I have to saddle stitch everything. On big projects I'll chuck an awl blade in my drill press and use it to make my stitching holes; no, the drill press is NOT RUNNING for this operation.

What did you use for a top finish? If I'm doing a natural finish, I'll use Sno-Seal or extra-virgin olive oil. I like Fiebing's Oil Dye if color is called for. It doesn't tend to dry the leather out the way some aniline or alcohol-based dyes do.

 

[ClemBert]

I suppose we are talking about single action revolvers anyways so its not like pulling the trigger could cock the hammer and fire the weapon. On a double action weapon it seems like something to consider but no problem here. Back in the old west they didn't have to worry about any double action issues when drawing their weapon.

How many holsters have you made before? You appear to be very experienced with what you are doing. Nice job!

 

[Loosenock]

AJumbo I saddle stitch everything I make. I use a #0 hole punch and punch every hole by hand. I use Barge cement to glue the seam together. I then take a single needle with a length of cord and pull that through every hole cleaning it out before the final stitching. I find that the holes fill up with cement and leather dust making stitching difficult and sloppy.

I make my own leather dyes from Trans Tint alcohol based wood stains. It is concentrated and while expensive it is cheaper than Tandy's. You can also blend it to exactly what you want.

As for finish I just burnish the finish work with a piece of 10 oz cotton duck canvas. I want my holsters and knife sheaths to be firm, strong and stiff. Continued oiling makes the leather soft and pliable. This is just my opinion, others vary.

Thanks for your question and comments.

'Loose

 

[Loosenock]

ClemBert over the years I have probably made about 6 holsters. Mostly for my own use. I made one at the request of a friend. I've been forging blades and making knives for 35 years as a hobby and made the sheaths for them. I have no idea how many I've made. Hundreds for sure. I think I've posted some pictures of my knives here on THR and they should still be active.

Thanks for comment and question.

'Loose

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Home Made Holster

Very nicely done.

Thanks for the pictures and the how of it all. Experience and talented skills. I have some professional made ones that didn't look that good.

 

[Armored farmer]

well done Loosenock.....
"Homemade" and black powder seem to go together. I make some of my own gear too. Usually from retired horse tack. Reins easily become slings for rifles.
Sure enjoy visiting your state...spent some time around Salida, and Durango.

 

[Loosenock]

Thanks KB and I'm glad you enjoyed our state. Where you visiting I spent one day a week this summer looking for this stuff. Were you prospecting too?



I spent three years back in the 50's in southern Illinois (Hamilton Co,) living with my grandfather.

'Loose

 

[BullRunBear]

Beautiful work! It makes me want to try making one for my ROA. (If I butcher the job, I can always get one from Big Bad Gun.) One of the things I hope to do in retirement is make more of my BP gear.

Questions: Where do you get appropriate leather and is there a specific designation for it?

Jeff

 

[scrat]

excellent work

 

[Loosenock]

BullRun I buy my leather from Tandys Leather Factory. This one is made from 9 oz. Live Oak Premium tooling sides. I think if you get too much heavier than that, folding the holster in half to slip down through the loops would be quite difficult. Thanks for the question.

'Loose

 

[BullRunBear]

Loosenock,

I appreciate the information. I'll practise with paper to get the dimensions right. I still have a leather sewing awl I bought long ago and have scrap leather pieces to learn to use it. Also, we have an old pedal type sewing machine my wife inherited and it can handle leather. Yes, it still works. (Family legend says it was used to make uniforms during the Spanish American War. Don't know if it's true but it sounds interesting and it is from the 1890s, so maybe.)

Thanks again.

Jeff