I finished my cartridge belt . . and holster

[bedbugbilly]

A week or so ago, I posted a thread on a "quickie jig" I devised to line up my bag punch to make the slots for cartridge loops.  This is the first cartridge belt I've made since I usually prefer to carry my cartridges in a pouch.  I have finished the belt and a holster to go with it for my New Vaquero 357 with a 5 ½" barrel.

The belt is 2 ¼" wide and made from about 12 oz. leather.  The cartridge loop strip was made out of 3 – 4 oz. leather, 7/8" wide to thread up through and back down the same ¾" slot to form each individual "loop".  There are 20 cartridge loops.  Finish is an "antique saddle tan".  With the leather still damp, I "distressed" it by laying it hair side down on crushed stone and walking on it.  I did the same for the holster.  The cartridge belt is partially lined with a piece of 3 – 4 oz. leather sewn over the cartridge loops on the inside of the belt with the "hair side" out.

Since I am in southern Arizona during the winters, I wanted a style of holster that would be appropriate to this area.  I used the holster shown on page 111 of "Packing Iron" that was made by "Patton & Co." of Tombstone, AZ Territory – believed to have been produced 1885 – 1895 as a basic design style since it is authenticated and attributed to southern AZ.  I used 12 oz. leather for the holster and utilized slotted loops to retain the bucket.  It worked out alright, but I think next time, I might use separate "loops" and run them through slots behind the bucket and secure them to the skirt.  This would insure that the skirt would lay "flatter".

For those that are curious about the "hand cuffs" – these are original handcuffs – believed to be from the late 1800s.  They are unmarked and I have had several hand cuff collectors examine them and they feel they are 1870 – 1900 period.  These were given to me by my Dad years ago.  He found them in an old trunk in the attic of a house in California that he and my mother rented in the 1940s prior to moving back to Michigan. 

My sincere thanks to those that offered suggestions on cartridge loops, what works for them, etc. – it was all a great help and after completing this belt, I'm sure I'll be doing a few more.  Thanks again everyone!

[bedbugbilly]

Some more photos . . . .

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Well Billy, you can be proud of yourself, it turn out nice, and now you have a one of a kind, and you can say you made it yourself.


    tEN wOLVES 

[Boothill Bob]

Very beautiful Billy, love the finich on it..

[Johnny McCrae]

Great looking rig! I really like the look you come up with. Many thanks for showing it to us.

[santee]

Came out great and looks well used. I have the same stone in my yard. It's what we substitute for grass out here in the desert.
I have fallen (in gunfight skits) out here and this rough terrain tends to "detail" a rig quickly. However, your method is easier on the body!

[KidTerico]

Nice rig, nice work. one you can be proud to wear. KT

[Wolf Tracker]

Nice job on the rig. I like the look.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Nice and clean, Billy. Good work. Looks nice.