mwpslp
Member
Just looking for opinions and perhaps web addresses of who makes the best (not cheapest in price) leather holsters and gun belts for either cowboy action shooting or just plain authentic or Hollywood western holsters?
Who Makes The Best Cowboy Action Leather???
- Thread starter mwpslp
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One of the most respected and sought after is Mernickle Holsters. He does an excellent job in all respects. Cruise the forums at www.sassnet.com and you'll find a plethora of those who make the gear.
Here's a couple of pics of a shooting rig I made for the current FL State and Southeast Regional champion for her age group:
Here's a couple of pics of a shooting rig I made for the current FL State and Southeast Regional champion for her age group:
Very nice work, but it's a far cry from what was used during the latter half of the 19th century and early decades of the 20th. If one studies old photographs and surviving rigs the difference becomes obvious.
Put bluntly, many cowboy action shooters are more influenced by Hollywood then they are by historical examples. On the other hand I suspect that some of the oldtimers would have walked barefooted on hot coals to get the kind of leatherwork that's available now.
To see what the real stuff looked like, buy a copy of, Packing Iron - Gunleather of the Frontier West, by Richard C. Rattenbury. Also The Peacemakers - Arms and Adventure in the American West, by R.L. Wilson. Both offer interesting (and sometimes stunning) insights into the arms and leather that was realy used.
Put bluntly, many cowboy action shooters are more influenced by Hollywood then they are by historical examples. On the other hand I suspect that some of the oldtimers would have walked barefooted on hot coals to get the kind of leatherwork that's available now.
To see what the real stuff looked like, buy a copy of, Packing Iron - Gunleather of the Frontier West, by Richard C. Rattenbury. Also The Peacemakers - Arms and Adventure in the American West, by R.L. Wilson. Both offer interesting (and sometimes stunning) insights into the arms and leather that was realy used.
Sunray
Member
"...influenced by Hollywood..." Yep and those Hollywood rigs are horrendously expensive. However, Tandy's, if you want to make your own, sells how-to books, with patterns, for both authentic and movie holsters. I couldn't imagine paying $300 plus for something I can make.
Old Fuff: I agree - the majority of the rigs are made for "flash," rather than historically correct. The sport of cowboy action shooting has become highly competitive. It's not uncommon to find rigs that are metal-lined. There is one outfit (amongst others I'm sure) that follows closer to the original styles of the 1800's - that is Old West Reproductions.
epsaddlery
El Paso Saddlery has been in business of gun leather since 1889, can't get more authentic than an original maker.
Circle KB
Makers of some pretty slick rigs.
Lefty's Leather
good stuff, handmade authentic.
El Paso Saddlery has been in business of gun leather since 1889, can't get more authentic than an original maker.
Circle KB
Makers of some pretty slick rigs.
Lefty's Leather
good stuff, handmade authentic.
Eagle-101
Member
My favorite (and to be honest, any selection is 99% opinion and taste) is El Paso Saddlery. They really look out for their customers. A#1
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