In love with full flap holsters. Guess I'm odd.

[Tallbald]

I enjoy cutting up with my forum friends here occasionally, and I've learned so very much in the several years I've participated in productive discussions on all sorts of topics here on THR. Much of what I know about black powder shooting has been through the kindness of folks here too. I just wanted to come clean here to my friends as part of my personal mission to accept who I am.
I started crafting holsters about three years ago. I bought leather from a local importer, made my own patterns and made many mistakes and ugly holsters that ended up cut into pieces at the band saw with the parts stuffed deep into the waste can in my little shop because I didn't want them seen.
Fast forward to today, when I have flat out acknowledged to my self that I love and cannot get enough of those traditional, protective and practical belt worn full flap holsters that I grew up with. Daddy had them for his Walther PPK, his Astra 600 (it came as a set from Kmart for $32 and was an NRA Excellent gun with matching holster and an extra magazine), his Smith 6 inch model 10's, his Belgian HiPower, and his garden variety Remington Rand 1943 contract 1911A1 he bought at a show for $90. I suppose it was his Air Policeman career during the Korean War that made him a full flap man...a trait which I must have inherited.
Full flap holsters, whether military issue or civilian manufacture with their plain, practical, utilitarian appearance just seemed right to me as a kid. It's a belief that has carried over into my adulthood, and one that I most enjoy making and using. Military holsters that I've seen have rarely if ever been lined with soft, caressing leather, and that's what I want to change in the holsters I make. Call me a radical, an iconoclast or an out of step bald guy. But as my skills improve and techniques evolve, I plan to make custom full flap holsters for each of my handguns, as well as those of my wife's and children's too. I have changed to using only the best vegetable tanned Hermann Oak and Wicket and Craig leathers, and to sew them on my new Cowboy CB3500 leather sewing machine. For my finish, I will use a home created mixture taught to me by another craftsperson that simmers neatsfoot oil and pure virgin beeswax together and is rubbed lovingly into the leather.
I'll be posting pictures of the holsters I make and the guns they were made for as I go along. Wish me luck folks, and as always, thanks for all the support down through the years. Don

 

[rayban]

I look forward to checking out your designs.
What do you plan to use for lining? I think using two layers of 4/5oz, glued flesh to flesh make for great looking holsters that you speak of.

 

[rcmodel]

I like them too!

Made this one 10 years ago for my 1936 Colt Woodsman Sport.

* Lined with orthopedic elk.
(easy on bluing because it doesn't load with grit & dust like smooth face leather.)

* Rear sight shield sewn in.
* Lining covers the snap base inside the holster so it doesn't touch the gun.
* Brown Fiebing's Edge Coat buffed in with Bee's Wax on a hard sewn cotton buffing wheel.
* Finished with Pure Vegetable Oil and Fiebing's Leather Sheen acrylic finish coat.

It's almost impervious to dirt & totally protects the gun when closed.







rc

 

[Dr.Rob]

I like full flap holsters though I haven't tried making one yet, it's on my list of projects now that I've started making knife sheaths.

My 1863 pattern crossdraw is one of my favorites, keeps my 7.5 inch Vaquero out of the way, and out of the weather. I got mine from Trailrider Products.

It reminded me of the Ruger branded flap holsters Bianchi used to sell, but with a more practical closure. Those things are hard to find these days.

I have a couple old military holsters and repros, for the 1911, The Makarov, the Luger and the 1917 revolver While they were all very well made, none are particularly suited to a 'fast presentation.' There was a 1981 Gun Digest article about a SW 1917 conversion to 45 Colt that featured a snazzy half -flap holster with a thumb break on the out side that looks like it will make a dandy 'first holster' attempt for me. I only have one poor source photo but it's a start.

If anyone recognizes the style please let me know!

 

[Greg528iT]

no fair teasing us about what you are going to make. Post some pictures man.

I'm liking the idea of a flap holster. My 1st holster was a tanker style with full flap. As I was planning it out, where to put the retention strap so it did not depress the 1911 grip safety, I went ahead and put on a full flap similar to the belt carry cavalry holster.

 

[rayban]

"Military holsters that I've seen have rarely if ever been lined with soft, caressing leather,"

Tall.....I know for a fact, because I've been there, carrying in a military/combat situation, lining in a holster was a waste of time and expense.
A snap, dust, dirt, rubbing against bluing (if the gun had any left) was the least of a pistol carrying person's worry.
And the gun could still function properly even if it had scratches and (God forbid) dust build up rubbing against it.

 

[Tallbald]

Hey it's great to see I'm not alone in my FFL (Full Flap Love)! Rayban I hope to be able to emulate the high quality of the items you yourself make. I admire your wonderful skills each time I thread the beautiful belt I had you create for me. I'm slowly learning the use of my CB3500 and enjoying each minute.
For my full flap holsters I'm actually of the opinion that two layers of Hermann Oak or Wicket and Craig 4/5 ounce veg tanned, glued flesh to flesh would be best. I prefer the thicker lining, and don't want to use an splits that would collect dirt, dust or other stuff that would become abrasive. There's just so much beautiful potential in design, features and application that this style holster will give me.
Yes folks as I make them I will share photos of my holsters and the gun they cradle.
My best to each of you this evening! Don

 

[WestKentucky]

My most common combo is a toss up between vertical shoulder rig or hip mounted full flap. Either way they house a 6" 44 mag that will certainly do the trick on any critter it needs deployed on. I am partial the the flap holster mainly because it is so secure. No way anything can really get in it, or any way it can get out without your intentional action to remove the weapon. This makes the gun secure in climbing, hiking, even doing cartwheels should one choose to do so with mounted iron. Although I don't recommend the cartwheels I do recommend a nice leather flap for open carry.

 

[WestKentucky]

This may be a bit extreme... Old pic. 357 buntline 15" scoped in a paratroopers m1 carbine pack sack.

No I don't carry it like this, I do however have a leather strap seen on now and wear the rig across my back coming up to my right shoulder.

 

[heycods]

you do nice work, would love to have one for sons 1860 army, yes you are wierd but thats a concealed carry guy talking

 

[rcmodel]

Westkentucky

You do realize the M1 Carbine jump case is worth more now then the gun you put in it don't you?

rc

 

[rayban]

Tall-Don....there's a bit of a trick when using two layers of veg tan in making a fold-over type holster.
You can't just take two layers and glue them while still flat. You'll get an ugly pucker-upper on the inside of the fold. You have to pre-form the outer shell somewhat at the fold, then carefully glue in the inner layer.
Give me a yell if we need to discuss.......I'm not much good at explaining things this early.

 

[Greg528iT]

You can't just take two layers and glue them while still flat.

This is what I was told by the manager of the local Tandy shop. He had multiple holsters on display that were beautiful inside and out. The lined holster I made, I rolled and glued the leather as I went.

A leather forum Tall and I seem to both be on, is giving advice to the contrary. I have some more studying to do. Hmmmmmm

 

[aarondhgraham]

One way to avoid or lessen that pucker,,,

I bought a tapered table leg and the mounting hardware at Lowes,,,
I mounted the leg horizontally from my workbench,,,
I lightly dampen just the inside leather layer,,,
Then bend it over that tapered leg.

That eliminates most of the pucker you usually get.

Aarond

.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I think flap holsters offer great protection against the elements. However, I prefer shoulder rigs. When you drop your drawers to do your business, your piece is in the same place.

BTW, I didn't know those M-1 Carbine scabbards are collectible. I have a demilled one (leg strap cut off) that I bought years ago.

 

[BSA1]

I'm a half flap man myself.

 

[Old Fuff]

Dr Rob: Post #4

If anyone recognizes the style please let me know!

During the 1930's that style of holster was popular with police officers (especially highway patrolmen) that carried long 5 and 6 in barreled revolvers, cross draw.

One of the more famous makers was the Geo. Lawrence Co. in Portland OR.: Style No. 100. It combined protection for the revolver with a relatively fast draw.

You'll also find it illustrated in Ed. McGivern's book, Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting. If you don't have this book, you should. But be sure to buy a reprint as early and 1st. editions can go for $100 and more.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Thanks Fuff! Found a great example of one over on Colt Forum.

And a magazine ad... lower right

Think I'll make it more like the Hunter 1100 with the belt loop/strap around the holster combo and with a slightly larger flap.

 

[Tallbald]

Everybody this is great! I sure do appreciate all the responses, and will add the information to my memory banks (as I've aged, my "banks" have become neigh on to insolvent though). Rayban I may indeed be calling you. I do get some conflicting information on a leather forum I participate in, and your advise has always been, like your products, top notch. In my mind, I see full flap holsters being as classic a the Smith 38/44 Heavy Duty's that were likely carried in them as outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen traversed the mountains of the near west.
Rayban I did not know you were a Veteran. I'm late in it but I want to tell you that Penny and I appreciate the danger you placed yourself in to defend our freedom to self-determination. I'm openly speaking now because of the sacrifices you and your military comrades made in the name of liberty. Were I at your side I'd shake your hand, look you in the eye and say "thank you" again. Don

 

[aarondhgraham]

Hello BSA1,,,

Your half-flap holster is right out of the pages of "Packing Iron".

The book didn't have patterns,,,
But a lot of us made our own from the pictures.

Here is almost the identical holster,,,
I made this one from water buffalo hide.



Aarond

.

 

[rayban]

Tall...I've never needed to be told "thanks" I did what I believe everyone should do, serve his country.....but thanks
That aside, I'm sure you know by now, that if you line up 12 leather workers and ask them the same " how do you do this....." type of question, you're very likely to get 12 different answers.
Burnishing, for instance.....I don't think I've ever known two people that do it exactly the same.
Best you can do if take it in....try things for yourself, utilizing the tools you have at your disposal, and figure out what satisfies you.
It's a journey.......just remember to stop to smell the pro oil dye.

 

[Old Fuff]

J&G Sales in Prescott, AZ if having a big blow-out sale of various military accessory surplus. Among many other things are a bunch of European full-flap holsters for various pistols. Some could be easly modified to work with other unrelated pistols or revovers. Also consider cutting out the stitching and making a blank from which a smaller rig could be made. Most prices (but not all) are for bulk buys, but don't let that scare you away.

Those that happen to own an AK-47 should also darken their doorway.


www.jgsales.com

 

[boykinlp]

Here is mine from the late teens. A Heiser Model 175:

 

[Chubbo]

Can you identify the maker?

Can anyone identify the maker of this flap holster? i'v had it for some time, and so far no one has been able to ID it. It fits S&W K mod. 6" revolvers. It was made by a very skilled leather worker. You can see the individual hairs on the wild boar's head. Here are some pictures. Thanks.
Chubbo