A couple of my holsters and other leather works.

[Beauregard Hooligan]

I haven't posted here previously, and would like to introduce myself to you folks who seem to love working with leather as much as I do. I've been working with leather since I tried doing so for a Boy Scouts Merit Badge, which was something like 47 years ago, making knife sheaths. It took of when I acquired my first pistol. I make very sturdy holsters, and form fit them so that even without a thong, the holsters will keep the pistol when turned upside down and shaken. I usually craft with two layers of leather, a 4 -5 ounce inner and a 8 - 10 ounce outer, or a single 8 - 10 ounce outer with a suede pigskin lining rolled over the outer edge.

I have gone to the use of a Passhe air brush for applying, stain and finish, and by my lights, it's the best way to apply a even application of stain and finish. I don't often work with black stain, and would advise anyone choosing to do so to wear latex gloves, as any you get on your skin will try to be as permanent as on leather.

I can and have carved, but I prefer basket stamping, or doing fish scale. I have a Tippman BOSS stitcher, which is good for many things, but sewing more than 12 bullet loops on a belt blank is very hard to do. I do all my stitching on holsters and knife sheaths by hand, either with white linen thread or nylon artificial sinew. Here are a couple of my previous projects.

My latest project is a hanger for a Cold Steel Italian Dagger, which is for my SCA RenFair duds. I go to those dressed as a man-at-arms born in Jerusalem from English parents, and serving the Regent and King of Jerusalem in the 1180's, about the time that Jerusalem fell to the Muslims under the command of Saladin. The hanger will allow the dagger to hang at the belt on the right side, at an angle close to 45 degrees, making it available to either hand. I am going to wear this dagger rig to my next CAS match with it in the middle of my back. It will pass as a monstrous  Arkansas Toothpick.



My old gun rig, made in 1995 to take 7 1/2" barreled original Vaqueros.



A similar set of holsters I made a few years ago for 5 1/2" barreled original Vaqueros, but they also fit .44 caliber 1858 Remington New Army revolvers with Taylor's Conversion cylinders



Here is a sword belt I made for a friend, doing the work for free, with the understanding that he would pay for the material. He choked at paying the $35 for the materials, so now the belt is all mine. I weighed it down with a .45 Colt New Model Bisley Blackhawk for the photo, as the belt is 65" in length, as it is meant to be worn over a gambason, tunic, a chain maiile shirt and possibly a leather and canvas brigandine. 



Here is a belt I built to carry rifle cartridges, in this case .45-70 or longer.



Here is a belt in progress, with a small piece of carving that I did when I was learning the technique.



I'm going to quit showing off now. My next project is making a black basket weave belt of a friend, then I will build a pair of holsters for 5 1/2" original Vaqueros, and carve it with a simple floral design. I hope you find my work interesting, and I'm going to spend a great deal visiting her, looking at your work, and learning techniques from you folks.

[Cliff Fendley]

Very nice work!

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

Beau, there are some outstanding examples of leather work.  As far as the practice carving, in another couple years, I might approach that but I have my doubts.

[Drayton Calhoun]

Whoa, Beau, niiiiice work indeed!

[Eloy Santa Cruz]

Very nice work ! Thanks for sharing.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Good work, BH. Good to see you on the forum. Thanks for the pics. Looking forward to seeing more of your stuff.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

   Very nice work Beauregard Hooligan, Welcome to the Leather Shop pard, good to have you with us, and thanks for sharing with us, we like picture


                       Regards

                    tEN wOLVES 

[Springfield Slim]

Do the work for free and they choke at the material price. Some friend! His loss, you now have a nice belt. I also started doing leather as a Boy Scout, but took a 30 year break. Still had my original Tandy tools, but had learned since that sharpening the swivel knife makes all the difference in the world!