1930 austin holster

[buckskin billy]

howdy yall,
  need some help again. i have been ask to make a 1930 austin holster for a wild bunch shooter. a little out of my comfort zone here as i usually try and make more period old west holsters. but the guys a good friend and i need the money so i figure this would make a good learning experence.
i've attached a picture from el paso and my problems lies on how the loop is on the holster. is it done like a mexican loop and cut in the skirt behind the holster's body, or is it a seperate piece riveted in place.
  i made my pattern and have been trying to cut the loop into the skirt. that ain't working too good for me.

this is what my friend has in mind



thanks,
billy

[Dalton Masterson]

I am gonna say its riveted on there as a separate piece of leather. There isnt much meat in the skirt on that one to cut a loop in it. It also seemed to be the style then as well.

BTW, I have found that Will Ghormleys patterns with riveted on loops work pretty well as a pattern for these style WB holsters, with very minor trimming. The pattern part for the loop that is....
DM

PS, I dont think I have said a welcome to you yet, BB. Welcome to CasCity!!
DM

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That's a nice looking rig. It's much like a Frazier holster. Those have the loop a separate piece riveted to the skirt behind the holster where it wraps around the front. Here's a Frazier shown in Packing Iron.

I'd make a separate piece and rivet it to the skirt then assemble it like a Mexican Loop. If your customer is open, you could make one like the Frazier with a slightly smaller skirt. It would be easier to assemble. You could leave off all the spots and conchos, too. I used this design for my own WB rig and left the keeper strap off. Attached also is a pic of mine which is close to a Frazier No. 9. I didn't realize it at the time but when I took the photo, the pistol wasn't seated fully in the holster. This basic design makes a very fast WB holster.

[Dalton Masterson]

Boy Will. That is pretty close to that pattern.
Everytime I see that one in PI, I get to chomping at the bit to make it. The last one I did was gonna be "the one", but its still on my list. I need to find those conchos...
DM

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I'm with you, Dalton. I'll have to make one like that with all the spots and conchos, too, one of these days.

Billy, are you going to line it? I really like the look of it. The keeper could be held on with a Chicago Screw so it rotates out of the way for the match. Post pics when you're done.

[buckskin billy]

wow what a good looking holster marshal will. i don't even own one of those kind of guns but seeing leather like that makes me want one.
  thanks for the advise yall. while i was working with my pattern i just could not see how to make a loop work unless it was fasten seperatly.
  i'm gonna play with riveting the loop on as with my original plan but if'n i can't get it to work i'll be trying it the other way. aint much difference between the two anyhows.
i plan on lining the holster as he wants a strap and a snap set. i was planning on riveting the strap on but i just so happen to have a few chicago screws and i like that idea.
i feel like if i'm putting metal in the leather that the gun will rub against it should be lined. i'm using 9 ounce leather as that is what i have and i have had some trouble lining holsters because of the overall thickness when finished. with 9 ounce leather then the thin liner leather and a welt, thats a hunk of leather to sew.
seeing how i brain tan deer hides i have been considering using some brain tan as a liner. Lord knows i have enough scrap. but i have a concern on how the brain tan will react with the glue. i'm affraid it will get real hard when the glue dried. has any one had any experence with this?

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks, Billy. The lining is a good idea. It'll certainly protect the pistol. I've never worked with brain tan. You could just do a test piece to see how one scrap glues to another.

Be sure to post a picture when you have it done. It'll be fun to see how you do it.

[JD Alan]

People are rooting for you Billy! We want to see the finished holster.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

  Great looking Wild Bunch holsters, Will, I always did like yours, and plan on giving this one a try, Billy, just take your time and think things out and you'll do just fine, we'll all be looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

         tEN wOLVES 

[buckskin billy]

thanks for the encouragement yall.
i tried a test piece of brain tan glued to  9 ounce leather. i used barge glue. so far so good. it has dried over night and is still flexible. i believe it will work.
i'll be posting pictures of this one and a couple of more i have done. i done two three person style holsters and i have another one to do. i am also working on a pair of carved slim jims which will be my first carved holsters. as well as a couple of cartridge belts. this will be a first for me, so we'll see how they turn out as well

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Glad to hear your test piece worked well. It'll be good to see the finished item. And the others, too.

[Kid Terico]

BB nice looking rig for sure. KT