Does anyone have any experience with cartridge belts and holsters from Old Trading Post?  I see they have some that are obviously incorrect (Buscaderos), but others that look like they might be but their website doesn't really go in to much detail or provide good photos.  However their price seems unbeatable.

Do you have any experience with them?  Are they correct?  How many cartridge loops do they have?  Are they good quality?

This is the one I am looking at:
https://www.oldtradingpost.com/southwestern-gun-belt-holster-sets-c-1_508_28/western-high-ride-cartridge-belt-with-double-holsters-p-3054.html

The pictures show snaps on the loops of the strong side holsters, so the holsters at least aren't period correct.

Quote from: Hair Trigger Jim on October 25, 2024, 09:48:37 AMThe pictures show snaps on the loops of the strong side holsters, so the holsters at least aren't period correct.

I completely missed that (fuzzy photo), damn

I've never understood that particular style, not only is it incorrect, in most that I have seen it doesn't even seem to serve a purpose.  It's just stupid.

It's a SASS style - it doesn't have to be authentic, it has to be competition-ready.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Quote from: St. George on October 25, 2024, 04:01:16 PMIt's a SASS style - it doesn't have to be authentic, it has to be competition-ready.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

The OP was recently posting about being more interested in NCOWS than SASS, and this thread was posted in the NCOWS forum, so in this case it probably does matter whether it's authentic.

That rig is pretty low quality crap.  With leather you get what you pay for.  And the crossdraw shown is not SASS-legal due to the angle.  I don't know that NCOWS has the same "30-degree as worn" limit, but you don't want that quality of rig for NCOWS either.

My Good 9245

the holsters you indicated are not particularly historical,
better ones would be these



unfortunately I think their prices are too high.

I myself have gotten quality belts (mostly used name brands) with cartrigde loops off ebay at
good value, and I have gotten reasonable holsters at a fair price from 2 specific vendors on
ebay also.
(photos later)

One does need to understand that such holsters will not be of "bianchi quality" but are well made
of a good single thickness leather, and will need some work such as treating with Extra Virgin Olive Oil , then a quality wax.

But then, i am well known to be cheap frugal ....

yhs
prof marvel

Quote from: Professor Marvel on October 25, 2024, 07:02:33 PMMy Good 9245

the holsters you indicated are not particularly historical,
better ones would be these



unfortunately I think their prices are too high.

I myself have gotten quality belts (mostly used name brands) with cartrigde loops off ebay at
good value, and I have gotten reasonable holsters at a fair price from 2 specific vendors on
ebay also.
(photos later)

One does need to understand that such holsters will not be of "bianchi quality" but are well made
of a good single thickness leather, and will need some work such as treating with Extra Virgin Olive Oil , then a quality wax.

But then, i am well known to be cheap frugal ....

yhs
prof marvel

Then where would you suggest I look that would be historically correct and cheaper?

If one is on a budget....

I have gotten several holsters from "tonyu" on ebay typically under $40 and I am happy with all of them

I might recommend

This "mild angle" crossdraw double loop
https://www.ebay.com/itm/375714076406

This single loop strongside

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375726160510



These floral "slim jim" ish for strongside
https://www.ebay.com/itm/126732167982

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375626182227

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126732167982


You can check out his store, he does a lot of modernisch stuff that i dont care for.
Avoid snaps, straps, buckles, etc.

If you can view a copy of the book "packing iron" that will gove you ideas of historical, proper holster.

Add a plain belt or something like these used belts

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176645552118

https://www.ebay.com/itm/286120353881

Also, if one is at all handy or has a leatherworker guy, one can easily shorten a too large belt by moving the billet. I have done this to more than one quality belt like size 50 which I got "cheap"

I avoid belts with drop slots or unknown brands, especially mexican or foriegn or asian.
Also, there are correct canvas belts that can often be had more cheaply...


I will post photos of mine a bit later

Hope this helps
Prof Marvel

**Like Button** to the perfesser.  Those from TonyU look pretty authentic. Hard to go wrong with Mexican Loops or Slim Jims.

Historic holsters tend to ride higher and put the pistol "deeper in the pocket" than modern concealed carry, fbi, etc types. Use of a hammer thong means one doesnt need a thumb snap..


Tony puts out some decent holsters. He does do some stuff I dont care for, but variety makes 5e world go around.

Every holster Ihave gotten from him starts out "stiff and creaking"

First thing I do is "form fit" the holster to my pistol using saran wrap around the pistol and soaking the holster in alcohol. If more tweaking is needed, I use leather "boning tools" and or small wood blocks with rounded edges and spring clamps. Also this is the time to fit it to the belt, if required.

Once dry, I give it a good coat of Extar virgin olive oile and let soak in. If it still seems dry or creaks, repeat the oil. Wipe off excess and let sit a day or two.

Last step is a good coat of wax... beeswax, carnuba, whatever, just no petroleum wax.

This is where patience will pay.
It was mentioned in your other post on the NCOWS Forum that our annual show and Congress meeting is coming up in March in Iowa. There will be lots of vendors approved by NCOWS selling their "field-tested, slightly used" gear, plus new made items, too.

A very good opportunity to see a variety of clothing, reference books and accessories, and chat up the membership. I know you've stressed authenticity over pizzazz, and this is where approaching your research according to what persona or "Old West" occupation appeals to you will dictate your choices.

Dixie Gun Works has some suitable items that are about as reasonable to the pocketbook as can be.

 

Quote from: River City John on October 26, 2024, 07:55:39 AMThis is where patience will pay.
It was mentioned in your other post on the NCOWS Forum that our annual show and Congress meeting is coming up in March in Iowa. There will be lots of vendors approved by NCOWS selling their "field-tested, slightly used" gear, plus new made items, too.

A very good opportunity to see a variety of clothing, reference books and accessories, and chat up the membership. I know you've stressed authenticity over pizzazz, and this is where approaching your research according to what persona or "Old West" occupation appeals to you will dictate your choices.

Dixie Gun Works has some suitable items that are about as reasonable to the pocketbook as can be.

 

I will check them out, thanks.

My character was born in Kansas near the Arkansas border in 1844, got involved in Bloody Kansas after Unionist neighbors torched his family farm, joined the Arkansas State Militia first cavalry regiment in May of 1861 at 16 after lying about his age. He was a part of the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861.  He mustered out of the guard in September of 1861 after his unit dissolved then joined Quantrills Raiders and befriended Jesse and Frank James and started riding with them and picked up the habit of carrying two Remington New Army revolvers from George Maddox.  He was a part of the first train robbery along with his new friends in Northbend Ohio on May 5th 1865 then continued to ride with the James brothers for a short time after the war before branching out on his own.

That's as far as I have developed the character so far.  But the idea is that he is an outlaw who occasionally rides both sides of the line.  He has his own code and sense of right or wrong, not bad, not good, he's gray.  He justifies his criminal actions as continuing a personal war against the Federal government after the confederacy lost the war.  I pick up in 1884.