Holster Styles & Variations

[Marshal Will Wingam]

A question that has come up a few times recently is what the various types of holsters look like. Basically, without a skirt or strap to hold the holster to the belt loop, you have a California style or Slim Jim.

If the holster has a flap of leather behind the pouch and the pouch is held to it with a strap, it's a skirted holster. If the strap is cut out of the skirt rather than being sewn or riveted on, it's a Mexican Loop.

Pros and historians, feel free to correct me if my descriptions are incorrect. I'll be glad to change my post so the information is accurate if needed.

Let's post pics of the different styles we have made so others can understand the terminology and get ideas from them. Don't be shy about posting a style that has been already posted because it will help clarify things and provide more ideas.

I'll start off with a Slim Jim, ±1870-1875, followed by a Cheyenne style holster, ±1890-1900.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

This is a Dodge City style holster, similar to one made 1878-1880:

[Marshal Will Wingam]

A couple olive pattern Mexican Loops, loosely similar to one made 1880-1885.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Mexican Loop, approx 1885-1895

[Dr. Bob]

THanks Marshal Will,

That is some good edjumacation!   [I was a history teacher, NOT a spelling teacher. ]

[Ace Lungger]

Marshall Will, There isn't a whole lot more that can be said, except 
AWESOME,AWESOME,AWESOME,AWESOME,AWESOME

I am sad because I am 52 years old, and I won't live long enough to ever make that quialty of work! But because of you guys on this board I am getting better, And I have NEVER ENJOYED a hobby more that this one!!! It also has a lot to do with the Pards on here that are so helpfull.
There is nothing more frustrating when getting into a new hobby  and there is no one to help you with problems!
BUT NOT HERE!!!! You ask and you recieve!! All I think about day and night is building holsters!!!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ACE

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks, pards.

OK, I know some of you pros have great examples of types of holsters 'cause I've seen them on the forum and your websites. This isn't limited to pros, either, there are good representations made by many of you. There are a whole lot of styles I haven't any examples of. We need a lot more styles represented plus some more of the ones I've already put up here so start posting those pics. Flap holsters, half-skirts, early transitional Mexican loops, skeleton rigs, fringe holsters and some of those West Texas pieces not to mention the more modern ones like a Texas jockstrap or some of the more interesting Hollywood rigs. Lets make this a good reference thread.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I rummaged around in my junk box and found this example of a more modern holster with a partial skirt and a keeper. The seam is gusseted with 3 layers of 8-9oz leather.

[santee]

Here's a West Texas style that I've posted before.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks Santee. Keep 'em coming, pards.

[Irish Dave]

Will:

I know how to put pix in a post, but don't know how you're all getting the small thumbnail pix with enlarging link.
Can you help?

[santee]

Make sure you use the attach option and it does the rest for you (providing the size of it is 100kb)

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Dave, here's a thread that'll explain it completely:

Posting Photos

Looking forward to your pics.

[Irish Dave]

Thanks.

As they say, everything's easy once you know how the trick is done.

[HorsePen Henry]

Here ya are Marshall Wingham,
Here are a couple a southern plains holsters from Texas and Oklahoma around the late 1870's -80's. The top one is actually the second one I started and the bottom one is still a work in progress. I had to alter the pattern to fit my "51 Colt civilian. The first one is slightly bigger and fits my Remington. Now.....off to sew the toe plug and finish the Remmy holster.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

  Howdy Horse Pen Henry

        Will this calls for a WOW & a BEAUTIFUL, you are quit an artist Pard, your holsters are AWSOME, to say the least, I love the patterns you used, and the way they fit your guns , your stamping looks to be perfect, WELL DONE  PARD, 



                                                                       tEN wOLVES 

[HorsePen Henry]

Thanks Ten Wolves,

I am getting ready ta make a slim jim holster for the '51 Colt as well. Ya know these gals like ta try on a different dress now and again.  I am almost afraid ta make a saddle. If saddle making is as addictive as holster makin' then I'll be wantin' one a each a them too. Dern this leather workin' is a hoot!!!

X Horse Pen

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Those look really good, X-Pen. I really like the way you carried out the stamping. That's a good looking pattern, too. I like the abrupt recurve on them. Many thanks for the pics. It really helps show the style, not to mention your fine workmanship. Yeah, this stuff does get addictive. I'm designing my new holsters and there are so many ideas I want to use but they won't all fit in one rig. I guess I'll need two rigs, then.

[springfield]

Ya know it's not REALLY a Slim Jim unless it is at least 7" long!

[springfield]

And don't forget the ever popular Duke style.