New Colt SAA leather

[CraigC]

Three new holsters for the Colt SAA, one for every standard barrel length. A Threepersons for the 4¾", a California Slim Jim for the 5½" and a Mexican loop for the 7½".

I've posted an update on the website. I'll post a link below. In short, I decided to open an Etsy store to sell my leather goods on. Rather than accepting new customer orders, I'm going to make what I'm inspired to make and offer it for sale. This way I'll have full artistic freedom but also have an outlet to share my craft with others. I have all sorts of ideas for stuff to make but I can't keep it all and I find that having a purpose for something helps motivate me to make it. Check it out, I've posted these three new holsters for sale. I may even list some of my existing stuff.

http://www.sixgunleather.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/GraveyardJackLeather

 

[NorthBorder]

Beautiful. I'm just beginning to learn leather craft. Have made one holster with all the requisite boo boos.

 

[CraigC]

Beautiful. I'm just beginning to learn leather craft. Have made one holster with all the requisite boo boos.

It's amazing how much you learn just doing the first few. My first one was terrible but still functions. I went from this:



To my fourth, which was the first that went to a paying customer.

 

[Dave T]

Nice work Craig. And I don't even object to your first one. (smiley face goes here)

Dave

 

[1KPerDay]

Great stuff. Trying to wrap my head around how that mexican loop is even made....

 

[CraigC]

Great stuff. Trying to wrap my head around how that mexican loop is even made....

It's just one big continuous piece of leather, folded over with slots cut in it. It's the only thing I haven't tackled drawing up an original pattern for. Those I've done have been based on Will Ghormley's patterns. You think that's a mind bender, you should watch me do a beaded knife sheath. I've pondered for weeks how I was gonna put one together before I figured it out. Still had to write it down.

 

[1KPerDay]

It's just one big continuous piece of leather, folded over with slots cut in it.

yeah I could figure that much out but I was wondering how you got the holster portion tucked into the slots, and of course I assume that you finish and sew it all “untucked” but it appeared to me that the holster portion would be too long to fit back through the slots, or I wondered if it were too stiff to bend enough to tuck it through, etc.

obviously it’s simpler than I’m making it out to be in my head. Really cool stuff though.

 

[DocRock]

That Mexican Loop is hawt.

I’m on the lookout for a flap holster, either 1885 cavalry or a full flap for a 5” RBH.

 

[mdrisc85]

Very cool- great work!

 

[CraigC]

yeah I could figure that much out but I was wondering how you got the holster portion tucked into the slots, and of course I assume that you finish and sew it all “untucked” but it appeared to me that the holster portion would be too long to fit back through the slots, or I wondered if it were too stiff to bend enough to tuck it through, etc.

obviously it’s simpler than I’m making it out to be in my head. Really cool stuff though.

You have to do things to it that don't seem like they're a good idea. You also have to make sure all the finish work and oiling is done first. If the leather is still dry, it'll crack around the loops. Still not quite as scary as what I have to do to age one.

 

[Pat Riot]

You have some very nice looking holsters there CraigC.
That is one art that I do not have the talent for.

 

[Armored farmer]

Very nice, as always @CraigC .

It's been my understanding that the Mexican loop holster evolved from flap holsters of civil war era.

The Etsy store is a good idea, especially if you give your thr friends a heads-up.....*hint*

 

[dredd]

Very Nice!!!

 

[Barbaroja]

Very nice work!

 

[StrawHat]

Still wanting you to tackle the Sunday holster as marketed by Brill.

Kevin

 

[MacAR]

I love that Threeperson's! All I can say is, come on stimulus check!

Mac

 

[BobWright]

Who has an original Brill holster? I'm curious as to whether they were intended for wear on the trousers belt, or on a wider gun belt?

Bob Wright

 

[BobWright]

And..............I have noticed the lack of hammer thongs or little flaps that flip down over the hammer spur, or straps with heavy duty snaps.

I prefer no such loops or other methods to tie the gun in my holster. Also the trigger guard exposed. I've been somewhat chastised in print for my choices.

But for my everyday carry, I keep my rig somewhat concealed. Tennessee laws permit open carry, but I find it more prudent to cover the gun, even it a bit of holster is exposed. There is always a bit of doubt unless the gun is seen.

But when I might find it necessary to reach for my gun, I want no straps or thongs getting in my way!

Bob Wright

 

[CraigC]

Agree all the way around Bob. The two shorter holsters have holes punched for a thong, which I'll install before I ship them out but the Mexican loop does not. I may do that from now on. They really don't need it and it doesn't help the looks either. The Mexican loop fits so perfectly, I'm really glad I did not punch the holes in it.

I always assume the rhetoric about exposed triggerguards is from people who don't know any better.

 

[StrawHat]

Who has an original Brill holster? I'm curious as to whether they were intended for wear on the trousers belt, or on a wider gun belt?

Bob Wright

Bob,

I don’t own an original but I have studied them. When the Texas Rangers moved of the ranges and i to the cities, it was made clear to the leaders that gunbelts were not to be worn on a daily basis. Same with cartridge belts. The Rangers could certainly be armed but not visibly. Captain Hughes spread the word to his men and various methods were devised to carry. Hughes came up with a lightweight holster to be worn on the then new trouser’s belt. The welt is constructed in such a way that it holds the handgun securely without need for straps and such. Because of that they must be made for specific handguns not categories. For example. The black basket weave one I show was ordered for a S&W Model 22-4. The leathersmith did not have one of those but did have a Model 28-2 or similar. And that is what he used. When I do the inversion test, a Mountain Gun will stay in the holster until my arm get tired. My Model 22-4 drops out immediately. The difference is the Model 22-4 has fixed sights therefore different dimensions.

The cuff is not decoration but determines the size of the belt and angle of carry.

There is a lot of other nuances that help make it the ideal holster for those who can handle a firearm.
You mentioned the uncovered trigger and guard. Most holsters were made that way pre-Glock. You were expected to not apply pressure to the trigger until you were ready to shoot.

I will post a photo of a revolver in a Brill and also an self loader in one. There are subtle differences but each is true to the form.



If you have any questions, ask away.

Kevin

 

[0ne3]

There all vert nice. Where do you get the leather.

 

[X62503]

Outstanding, CraigC! What do you recommend for a hammer thong? I need to replace one.

 

[CraigC]

Very nice, as always @CraigC .

It's been my understanding that the Mexican loop holster evolved from flap holsters of civil war era.

The Etsy store is a good idea, especially if you give your thr friends a heads-up.....*hint*

I hear that too. That they would just cut a slit and flip the flap. Might be worth a try with that cheap Oklahoma flap holster I've got.

I'll post pics of all my new stuff as long as people want to see them. I may even do a THR coupon. I did drop my prices considerably.

There all vert nice. Where do you get the leather.

My last batch of hides came from Wickett & Craig.

Outstanding, CraigC! What do you recommend for a hammer thong? I need to replace one.

I use latigo lace. It often needs to be dyed, oiled or both. The dark brown lace I have is really dry and has to be oiled to be useful.

 

[Rodfac]

Great work, Craig...love the even stain and your stamp work is outstanding. Rod

 

[CraigC]

Thank you! Since I started dip dyeing, it's a lot easier to get a consistent color throughout.