Holster lining

[Skeeter Lewis]

Do pards know how thick linings were in the nineteenth century? I have some fine nappa suede and wonder if that would be period-correct.

[Cliff Fendley]

The few lined originals that I've seen the lining is very thin. It's easy to tell because it's usually always ripped or has been torn out and discarded.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

The few lined originals that I've seen the lining is very thin. It's easy to tell because it's usually always ripped or has been torn out and discarded.

   Pretty much

     tEN

[Skeeter Lewis]

Thanks guys. I'm guessing that thin lining that can be ripped out wasn't glued in. Tricky to get it to lay flat....

[Cliff Fendley]

I don't know for sure if it was glued or not. I was looking at one a while back and the lining was torn but what wasn't torn loose was somewhat stuck to the leather.

The lining was some kind of thin felt like material. Kind of burgundy looking but may have been red originally.

The owner/collector was saying the lining may have originally been glued with hoof glue which stays flexible but isn't waterproof and would come loose over time especially in high humidity or if it got wet.

Hopefully someone like Chuck with more knowledge will be able to enlighten us on the subject.

[Skeeter Lewis]

Thanks, Cliff. Good info.
I see on page 117 of PI that there's a Gallatin holster with burgundy-colored felt lining.
Interesting how few lined holsters there are in PI.

[Cliff Fendley]

Not many are lined and I'd also say the surviving examples may even mislead one into thinking more were lined than really were.

So many rigs that have survived were probably someones nicer or treasured piece that wasn't used to the point of completely wearing out and being discarded.

When you study the old photos of people out like they actually worked and traveled you don't hardly ever see a holster that appears to be lined.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I've only lined two holsters.  I used suede ripped from a torn thrift store jacket.  I glued it in and rolled it a la El Paso Saddlery.  Not a job I like ti repeat often.

[ChuckBurrows]

Yep most linings were thin (buckskin, veg or Indian tanned prior to the very late 1870's when chrome tanned was made available, was one popular type) and most was glued in using good old flour and water paste based on the couple of guys I know who have had them tested - mostly rye flour.
As noted linings were not common - maybe 5-10% of existing originals and are/were often torn - the latte is not only due to the thinness but to them getting oil saturated with gun oil - many old time references mention the guns being well oiled and even though the oil used was most often sweet aka olive oil or sperm whale oil and not a petroleum based oil still too much oil causes the leather to break down.

When it comes to lining  holster to prevent gun blue wear I've always followed one of the great holster makers of the last 60 or so years, Thad Rybka, who noted in his catalog if you don't want to put wear on the gun leave it in the box. If a customer demands a lining (which I hate to do) I recommend pigskin or lightweight cow/calfskin in about a 2 oz weight - that along with a 7/8 oz outer makes a nice but not bulky holster or belt. For a bit firmer holster for CAS "gunnys" I usually use a 3/4 oz lining and 6/7 oz outer works good - either way I contact cement the liner in place.

[Skeeter Lewis]

Thanks pards.
Chuck, a problem with lining, I find, is sewing the leather after it's been glued into a curve. Too great a curve and you can't get at it with the needle.
How do you deal with that problem?

[Cliff Fendley]

Skeeter, if your talking about the top/throat of the holster sew that first when it's flat then assemble and sew the main seam.

[Trailrider]

Skeeter, if your talking about the top/throat of the holster sew that first when it's flat then assemble and sew the main seam.

Yup!

[St8LineLeatherSmith]

Hey guys
my great grandpappy had a couple lined holsters one was pig skin and one was buck skin
the holsters were for a1858 Remington 36 cal Navy and the other was for a S&W Schofield.
IIRC the lining was about 1 to 2 oz