Some new tricks

Status
Not open for further replies.
CraigC

CraigC

Sixgun Nut
Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
23,849
Location
West Tennessee
I haven't posted much leatherwork as of late. I've been quietly shipping Threepersons orders without much fanfare.

Nearly a year ago I decided to do a frontier style full flap holster but didn't necessarily want to copy anything in particular. This is the design I came up with and while it draws inspiration from several historical patterns, it's a direct copy of none. I finally got around to finishing it last week, along with the one below. It's fitted for either the 8" Cimarron 1860 Richards Type II and the 7½" 1871-1872 Open Top cartridge model but will also work with 1851/1861/1860 percussion guns.

IMG_3342b.jpg

IMG_3375b.jpg

IMG_3407b.jpg


For something completely different, a customer contacted me about doing a replica of Indiana Jones' holster from Raiders of the Lost Ark. It took a bit of time to come up with a proper pattern but it turned out so well that I decided to make it a standard offering, except with a foldover belt loop and with the stitched toe plug as an extra cost option.

IMG_3287b.jpg

IMG_3296b.jpg

IMG_3315b.jpg
 
oh man thats gorgeous! your color is phenomenal
the toe plug is really cool, how the heck do you do that?
Great looking pieces as always
Gene
 
Thanks guys!

Believe it or not, one of the tricks to the deep, rich color is extra virgin olive oil. ;)

Ivan, if you've heard anything about sewn toe plugs being a pain in the rear, believe it. For me, Chuck Burrows' DVD was a huge help. First do a tracing of the toe and decide if you want it to be round or oval. I did this one more round like the old military holster it's based on. Then I did some math and using a circular stencil, drew up a pattern for the plug. I was supposed to be a mechanical drafter in this life so this part was easy. It's almost impossible to cut a perfect circle with a knife so I cut two oversized pieces, marked the center and glued them together flesh side to flesh side. When dry, I sanded them down to the pattern and cut a stitch groove around the bottom side. Then I very carefully glued the plug in place. The trickiest part for me was punching the holes. I don't have a small awl blade so I had to use my regular awl to punch a full size hole in the holster but just penetrate the plug with the tip. This is because the holes in the plug, around the curve, are closer together than they are on the holster. Stitching is the easy part. I only charge $20 extra for the toe plug but in all honesty, it's a lot more work than that.
 
i briefly considered a toe plug on a holster i did recently but i honestly didnt know where to start with it LOL, thanks for the explanation it does sound like quite a bit of work though, ill file it mentally maybe try one down the road
your work has been an inspiration to me, ive got a long way to go but im moving on it
thanks
Gene
 
Beautiful work. I would like to know about the retaining hardware on those holsters. What are they called, how do they attach and where are they available?
 
I think the only one or two plugs I did years ago?

I formed them wet inside out over & in a male & female handmade wood form.

Then glued & sewed them in after they had dried to shape.

Been a lot of years ago though.
They ain't much fun to do though.

Very Nice work the way you did it though!

rc
 
Thanks again for the kind words!


I formed them wet inside out over & in a male & female handmade wood form.
Click to expand...
Isn't that how EPS does theirs? Either way, it's a job!


I would like to know about the retaining hardware on those holsters. What are they called, how do they attach and where are they available?
Click to expand...
They're called a Sam Browne button and they attach like a rivet.
 
on the sam browne button, how do you keep the back of it from contacting metal, or is it a concern? Might be more of a concern with a knife sheath than a gun though?
Thanks
Gene
 
On the SA holster, I place it low enough that it's in the void between the triggerguard and barrel. Do the same for a retention strap snap. On the DA holster, it's on the flap and on the back side it only contacts the throat of the holster.
 
Craig, I know I've said this before but it bears repeating. I really like your design sense for the decorating. It's classy without being all "flowery" like some makers. I know this is a personal taste thing but I do like your artistic choices that combine simple stamping and lines with less than gaudy conches and studding.

Oh, and yeah, if you need another stroke of the ego the workmanship is clearly superior as well.... :D

One thing I'm wondering about. With the belt loop on the Indiana Jones holster being so far forward does the holster with gun in it not tend to wing out from the belt? And is it intended to be worn in a cross draw position? I guess I should go and re-watch the movies... :D
 
Yes, I'm curious about the Indy holster as well.

The belt loop appears to be quite low. Cross draw or not, it looks like the gun/holster might ride a bit too high.

A pic of the holster on the belt would likely clear up these concerns.

Fine looking holsters both.
 
The belt loop is as the customer requested. He wanted it to ride higher, on the left side appendix position with a muzzle forward cant. He also wanted to keep the flat stitched loop. The standard offering of this design will have a foldover belt loop and will ride at the usual height, with a little more cant for use as a crossdraw or an FBI cant for strongside use.


Craig, I know I've said this before but it bears repeating. I really like your design sense for the decorating. It's classy without being all "flowery" like some makers. I know this is a personal taste thing but I do like your artistic choices that combine simple stamping and lines with less than gaudy conches and studding.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I try not to overdo it. I love the spots and conchos but it's real easy to do too much.


Oh, and yeah, if you need another stroke of the ego the workmanship is clearly superior as well....
Click to expand...
No ego stroking needed but it's always nice to hear that folks appreciate my work.
 
EEVO??

Believe it or not, one of the tricks to the deep, rich color is extra virgin olive oil.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate on the EEVO? Where in the process was it applied? What do you use to get the final luster?

I'm just getting into making my own and can tell you it ain't easy. Really terrific work indeed, congrats!
 
You keep that up & I'm gonna have to work you in somewhere. :)
Denis
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

CraigC
State of the Colt cartridge conversion collection
Replies
24
Views
989
halfmoonclip
H
CraigC
  • Locked
Some new project guns
Replies
4
Views
372
CraigC
CraigC
CraigC
A few new holsters
Replies
24
Views
764
gobsauce
gobsauce
CraigC
  • Locked
New take on an old favorite
Replies
8
Views
2K
200Apples
200Apples
CraigC
  • Locked
Colt replicas
Replies
12
Views
2K
Armored farmer
Armored farmer
Back
Top