Quote from: August on December 13, 2024, 02:48:38 PM"The more beaver, the better." 

Well, I can't argue with that !

I want to have a knife sheath made for my gunbelt.  I use it when trail riding on my horse so I want a retention strap.  I am right handed and wear my holster on the right (not crossdraw).  Can't decide if would I want the sheath made a left hand style or a right hand style worn on the left. 

I would imagine that back in the day, there was only right hand and they just put them wherever they wanted on the belt.

As of today.... note the Navy stamp replicated.

The pouches are being trained after water shaping, they are still very slightly damp and will dry in place for 24 hours or so.

The leather is dyed and artificially age with an alcohol rubbing. 

A hat is a piece of equipment, more important than any other.  Keeps you cool, keeps you warm, keeps the sun off.  Buy the best hat you can afford.  The more beaver, the better.  An all beaver hat is a lifetime investment.  It can be rebuilt and reshaped ad infinitum.  D bar J often has full (100%) beaver seconds for a fraction of the cost of first line hats.  These are built on the same beaver blanks that go into first cabin hats.  One of those will be your best friend over time.

In your photos those whitish marks are what I believed was tinning 'as shown heavier and brighter on the ebay pics'.  IF you are now stating that cleaning the molds are now removing those whitish marks because they are just 'old lube', then keep cleaning and you will have 'perfect molds and perfect bullets'.

As a tip, I use Acetone to clean oils and organics off my molds.

The only one I saw was a wall/bulkhead mounted cabinet.
I seem to remember it was on a destroyer.

That older example is mighty nice, too. Were the original locker boxes a trunk or a standing cabinet?

REALLY BIG AND HUGE "LIKE" BUTTON

That copy of the Navy Pistol board for 1911s is just the BIZZ!!!

Hey Slim!! 

How the heck are ya and how have ya been???  Haven't actually heard from ya in a while.  Nice to see your stuff again you betcha!!

Speaking of hats, just prior to leaving Denver Colorado when I retired the second time, I "New" western hat store opened in Denver's Cherry Creek Mall.  That's where we went to watch the Rich and Famous Shop.  Anyway, the cheapest Western Style/Cowboy/Rodeo hat they offered, was well priced at $350.00 bucks.  I almost needed CPR.  I do admit though, I did spring for a really nice custom fit hat for a hundred bucks.  From a much more reasonably priced Western Store.  I have a bunch of much more reasonable hats for the odd monthly match though.  Expecel my swell SteamPunk Hat.  Too KOOL for SKULE!!

I realize my eloquent dissertation has no useful information for the OP or anyone else, but it Friday morning and Mouse Safari is at an end and return home is imminent.  I'm bored as well so here it is.  Some swell Friday morning unless Trivia for those also looking for some easy reading.  If in fact, you're reading this missive, it's too late.  You're here already and can't go back.  No real earthshaking information so "Suck it up Buttercup" and I'll see if I can come up with something worthwhile sooner.  Burma Shame 

Buying a Hat is an arguably singular personal decision.
I mean by that, how "You" in vision yourself looking...

Part Fad, part fashion, part utility but in the end does it look good on you.
I have friend that can look the part no matter what hat he try's on... 

He's of Polish descent; I mention that because He once put on a WW II Japanese
Officer field cap, and even with his European features, danged if he didn't look Japanese. 

In my case, a round face of Welsh/Scot ancestry finding a hat I liked but also like me so to speak.
I found the FLAT Cap suits, and they are of the time period.
However, they don't necessarily appear old west.

As an old movie quote stated " it just doesn't sing "

I would suggest you search the period photo's (like the ones River City John posted)
  Then maybe, peruse, Goodwill online shopping or EBay.

One the other hand, if you are a clothes horse, and something expensive is your style
this is of little help.
You need to go to a Hatter, and have them style a blank to suit, they have that knowledge.
It will be both an experience and a wallet hit.

I wear a flat cap, AKA Baker Boy, the style can be traced back to the 16th century in Northern England.