S&W single actions and leather

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CraigC

Sixgun Nut
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Got my first Schofield .45Colt 9yrs ago, the same year I started doing leatherwork. From that first afternoon I spent with it, I was hooked! I couldn't run it as fast as a Colt SAA but it was such a fun sixgun to shoot. Put a set of Eagle UltraIvory grips on it as soon as I could.

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I also found it was a wonderful sixgun to make leather for. Something about the shape of a form fitted holster for a S&W single action is just the definition of elegant. The first was the Flames of Hell pattern from the 3:10 to Yuma remake.

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Which looks very different with a traditional border stamp instead of the decorative stitching.

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One of my favorite holsters in Packing Iron, is this variation of the Mexican loop from a maker named "Rice" in Kansas. Reproduced by Will Ghormley in pattern form as the "Dodge City".

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Last year I added four more of these guns to the collection. First I found that Cimarron had started importing the American and ordered an 8" .45Colt off Gunbroker. I always thought the Russian was the best looking of them all and in a twist of fate, found one used .44 CAS City. I was elated to find that while they're marked .44Russian, the chambers are .44Special. I have tons of Special and .44Colt brass but no Russian so this was wonderful!

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The American is an inch longer than the Schofield and has a taller front sight, so a new pattern was drawn up from scratch. This left handed version I made went all the way to London.

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Then my wife asked me what I wanted for our anniversary and this factory engraved (not laser) Schofield .45 from Taylor's was the answer.

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Then Taylor's finally started shipping the New Model as their "Frontier" in .44Spl and I got ahold of one.

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For the 7" Schofield, 6.5" Russian and Frontier guns, I ordered this floral carved holster from Skillet Creek on Etsy. The Frontier was carried all last hunting season. The belt and knife sheath are my work.

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I like the phrase "museum quality." If those holsters were paintings, they would be Rembrandt's and Da Vinci's
 
Your leatherwork is top-notch, the wifes revolver is truly a work of art...If I may, I suggest ditching those fake ivory grips.
IMO opinion they just don't look authentic compared to the rest of your kit.

Holly-wood (not The place, Hollywood, the wood) grips are a good substitute for real ivory. The wood itself is almost grain free as well as very light colored. It is real, not plastic.

I'll shut up now.
 
CraigC

Kudos on your incomparable leather work and for your taste in S&W single action revolvers!

I especially like the engraved Schofield that you got from your wife for your anniversary!
 
Very cool.
I've always loved the look of the Russian ever since I was a kid reading Louis Lamour books. He seemed to be fond of that particular model, as it appears in a lot of his books.
 
CraigC such a beautiful artwork, congratulations it take years to dominate an art and no doubt, You master it!.
 
In the years that the Army issued both the Colt SAA and the Schofield, it also issued a holster (right side, butt forward, half flap) that could be used -- initially -- with either gun. This holster was characterized by two holes in the flap, for the stud, one of which would be used according to the gun selected. But the body of the holster would mold itself to the gun with which it was being used. After a period of use, it would no longer work with the opposite gun. It would take a "set" either for the Colt or the Schofield. (Assuming that the holster would get wet or sweaty.)
 
In the years that the Army issued both the Colt SAA and the Schofield, it also issued a holster (right side, butt forward, half flap) that could be used -- initially -- with either gun. This holster was characterized by two holes in the flap, for the stud, one of which would be used according to the gun selected. But the body of the holster would mold itself to the gun with which it was being used. After a period of use, it would no longer work with the opposite gun. It would take a "set" either for the Colt or the Schofield. (Assuming that the holster would get wet or sweaty.)
That holster is kinda/sorta the basis for my half flap. Except it was strictly for the SAA.


I enlarged that bottom pic and had it framed.
Did you really? Skillet Creek does fantastic work and I can't compete with his prices.

PS, I'd really like to make next year's York shoot. I want to start doing some of the blackpowder gatherings in general.
 
That holster is kinda/sorta the basis for my half flap. Except it was strictly for the SAA.



Did you really? Skillet Creek does fantastic work and I can't compete with his prices.

PS, I'd really like to make next year's York shoot. I want to start doing some of the blackpowder gatherings in general.
No, I didn't really have it framed...but it is worthy. That is certainly artistic work.
Shoot me a pm if you're serious about attending the York shoot in Pall Mall. I don't know yet if I will make it there in '23 but I definitely can give you a heads up on necessary equipment and get you started practicing for a chunk gun match. It's different.
 
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