Adding Patina to a Holster

[TN Mongo]

A friend of mine has asked me to make him a period correct holster to fit on a .45-70 3" Mills belt.  After looking at Packing Iron and several other books, we settled on a design that has a slim Jim shaped pouch with a single loop and a half skirt.  He chose a medium shade of Feibing's Walnut for a dye, but he also asked if I could add a little patina to the holster, especially the edges.

My typical rig is a lined heavy duty speed rig for SASS cowboy action shooting.  I've never been asked to put a little age on a piece.  Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[Dances With Coyotes]

A good stiff brush over high points?

[bedbugbilly]

Mongo - check out the two posts I recently made showing a couple of holsters and a cartridge belt that I made.  I wanted them to have some "character" and I explain in the post what I did to "distress" the finish.  Unfortunately, the photos of the cartridge belt don't show the aging as well as they should.  I don't know if this is what your are looking for or not - perhaps distressing it and then hitting the edges and high points with a stiff brush or even some sandpaper to mimic "scuffing".  I "distress" the leather while it is still "cased" - turn it hair side down on crushed stone and walk on it.  I used eco flo on these holsters - antique saddle tan - which catches in the distressed areas and is darker.  I was happy with the results and it mimiced the normal wear a holster would get over the years of banging into things and hitting brush, etc.  Just a thought anyway.  If you'd like, pm me with your email and I can email you JPEGS which show it better and you could possibley show it to your customer to see if it is similar to what he is looking for.  Good luck!   

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,37212.0.html

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,37214.0.html

[ChuckBurrows]

Here's a start with methods by one of the best of the best at aging leather and other things...
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/aging-leather-zurl.jpg

[TN Mongo]

Thanks guys!  I think you have me headed in the right direction.  I used some leather that had a "little character" to it already.  I think my customer is looking more for color characteristics of an older piece than one that shows a lot of physical abuse.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi Chuck,

I printed that out and am putting it in a 'Leather' Binder I am making up .... Thanks!