New Model Army Holsters And Question

Rube Burrows · December 14, 2020, 06:00:54 PM

I recently (before Thanksgiving) got a leather sewing machine. I have been so busy with work and other things that I haven't had time to set it all up and try it. Well yesterday I decided to try it out on a pair of holsters I am making for myself and in my excitement in finally getting to try it out after a few practice runs on it I made an absolutely dumb mistake on my part.

I rushed. (Don't rush in leather work) I rushed because I was so eager to try to sew an actual holster with the machine that I sewed it up before putting on the belt loop effectively making the holster useless.

After racking my brain some I managed to rivet a belt loop on the holsters but was not able to bang the rivets in the leather enough so that they won't scratch the guns.

My question is simple (maybe), Is there a way to do anything to make the rivets not scratch the guns? I would normally not use rivets this way but was just trying to salvage the holsters and since they are for myself I figured I would try.

Is there anything that can be done now?

Marshal Will Wingam · December 14, 2020, 07:39:29 PM

That's a hard one. You may have to remove them and stitch the loops on instead. You may have to un-stitch the main seam to get to it. That would depend on how good you are at stitching down in such a cramped space.

Rube Burrows · December 14, 2020, 08:03:34 PM

Quote from: Marshal Will Wingam on December 14, 2020, 07:39:29 PM
That's a hard one. You may have to remove them and stitch the loops on instead. You may have to un-stitch the main seam to get to it. That would depend on how good you are at stitching down in such a cramped space.

That was my fear. I couldn't believe that I forgot to do that first before closing it up. Like I said though, I rushed it so I could try out the machine. Oh well. They are just for me. At the moment I just placed a strip of gorilla tape over the rivets. No one will see them and like that they will at least function.

Capt Quirk · December 14, 2020, 08:16:02 PM

I agree with Will, as a proper fix. Don't try to restotch with a machine, it might chew up the leather. Your fix though, done "redneck style" is admirable.

I will say though, not too shabby.

Trailrider · December 14, 2020, 10:45:33 PM

Afraid you are going to have to undo everything and remove the rivets. Next time you might counterbore the inside of the holster for the rivet heads. You could then punch out a thin (2-3 oz) piece of leather to cover the head. Some of the military holsters used this method to cover the riveted part of a finial used to close a flap. They called this a "safe" and stitched around it. Nice-looking holsters! What kind of machine do you have?

Rube Burrows · December 15, 2020, 12:08:52 AM

Quote from: Capt Quirk on December 14, 2020, 08:16:02 PM
I agree with Will, as a proper fix. Don't try to restotch with a machine, it might chew up the leather. Your fix though, done "redneck style" is admirable.

I will say though, not too shabby.

Thanks. I was hoping that they would sink in the leather enough to not make contact with the guns. I just couldn't get a good enough strike on them to do so. Had these been for someone else I would have never done it. Beings they were just for me I thought I'd try it. Did not work obviously and it taught me more than one lesson in the process.

Rube Burrows · December 15, 2020, 12:10:25 AM

Quote from: Trailrider on December 14, 2020, 10:45:33 PM
Afraid you are going to have to undo everything and remove the rivets. Next time you might counterbore the inside of the holster for the rivet heads. You could then punch out a thin (2-3 oz) piece of leather to cover the head. Some of the military holsters used this method to cover the riveted part of a finial used to close a flap. They called this a "safe" and stitched around it. Nice-looking holsters! What kind of machine do you have?

I'll just take my lessons learned from this mistake and move forward.

Picked up a Cobra Class 4.

Coffinmaker · December 15, 2020, 09:35:05 AM

Well Darn

First and Foremost, a CAVEAT: I ain't a leather worker/crafter/maker. Just a user. Now:

First, the Rivets have to COME OUT!! Then, Make a Skirt with a Mexican Style loop for the holster, Punch/Drill two holes thru the skirt and the toe of the holster and tie the holster to the skirt. OR:

Nail the holsters up onna wall with a caption (don't do this again). (Snickers behind hand). The holsters look really good by the way.

Stay Safe

Trailrider · December 15, 2020, 12:23:50 PM

Quote from: Rube Burrows on December 15, 2020, 12:10:25 AM
I'll just take my lessons learned from this mistake and move forward.

Picked up a Cobra Class 4.

Ah! Looks similar to my Juki TWC 441, which is the basis machine for the Ferdco Raging Bull. Excellent machine. I call mine "Kate", because Juki is owned by Mitsubishi, which made the WWII torpedo bomber, called that by the Allies.

Mine has an electronic attachment that allows me to do one stitch at a time, if I so desire. Also a very large handwheel, allowing me to hand crank it.
Stay well and safe, Pard!
Happy Holidays!

DeaconKC · December 15, 2020, 02:39:47 PM

If you are a CAS shooter, why not drill the rivets out and rig a way to mount those on your gun cart?

Coffinmaker · December 15, 2020, 03:19:47 PM

PLUS ONE for DeaconKC

Drat. Why didn't I think of that

Duh

Rube Burrows · December 15, 2020, 03:22:40 PM

I sure could mount these to my guncart. That would work fine for the 58s but I don't know. I may just let these be a lesson learned and move on from them. Just wanted to run it by the folks here to see if there was something I wasn't thinking of that the more experienced ones here would do.

Lesson learned. Slow down and don't rush.

Major 2 · December 15, 2020, 03:28:02 PM

My 2 cents ....I'd open the main seam just enough ( part way to gain access )
Drill out the rivets, and sew on the belt loop ( two needle saddle stich ) then re sew the main with the same saddle stich using the machine stitched holes.

Cliff Fendley · December 17, 2020, 09:06:40 AM

The way you sink the rivets is usually to remove a small amount of material around the hole before putting the rivet through and then when you set the rivet have it setting on a block with a small anvil the size of the rivet so it sinks the rivet into the material. I've done that many times on holsters and sheaths without any problems scratching the gun or knife. I really doubt you would be able to have any luck sinking the rivet at this point though.

If I wanted to save it I would take it apart and after fixing the loop restitch by hand through the same holes the machine made. You could also skive a very thin piece of leather and try gluing it inside to cover the rivets but it will probably catch and come back apart over time and wouldn't be very professional looking.

Rube Burrows · December 17, 2020, 08:40:20 PM

Quote from: Cliff Fendley on December 17, 2020, 09:06:40 AM
The way you sink the rivets is usually to remove a small amount of material around the hole before putting the rivet through and then when you set the rivet have it setting on a block with a small anvil the size of the rivet so it sinks the rivet into the material. I've done that many times on holsters and sheaths without any problems scratching the gun or knife. I really doubt you would be able to have any luck sinking the rivet at this point though.

If I wanted to save it I would take it apart and after fixing the loop restitch by hand through the same holes the machine made. You could also skive a very thin piece of leather and try gluing it inside to cover the rivets but it will probably catch and come back apart over time and wouldn't be very professional looking.

I let my 7 year old have the holsters for his toy guns. He has been wanting me to make him a pair of holsters anyways.

Johnny McCrae · December 18, 2020, 07:53:57 AM

QuoteI let my 7 year old have the holsters for his toy guns. He has been wanting me to make him a pair of holsters anyways.

That's a perfect solution. Thru the years I've made several Holsters and toy guns for my Grandsons. I'm sure your Grandson was thrilled to get those very nice Holsters.

Rube Burrows · December 18, 2020, 08:35:02 AM

Quote from: Johnny McCrae on December 18, 2020, 07:53:57 AM
That's a perfect solution. Thru the years I've made several Holsters and toy guns for my Grandsons. I'm sure your Grandson was thrilled to get those very nice Holsters.

Whoa now, don't be making me a grandpa yet Mr. McCrae. Hopefully I still have some time on that.

My son was happy to get them though but has now informed me he needs a gunbelt so he don't have to use his regular belt. Where do they get these ideas from?

Johnny McCrae · December 18, 2020, 09:26:29 AM

Sorry about that. I just assumed he was your Grandson. Enjoy your sons while they are young. They grow up fast. My sons are 50 and 54 years old. Back in Wisconsin I've shot CAS and NCOWS matches with both my son and his son. I made the leather for them..

Rube Burrows · December 18, 2020, 11:43:45 AM

Quote from: Johnny McCrae on December 18, 2020, 09:26:29 AM
Sorry about that. I just assumed he was your Grandson. Enjoy your sons while they are young. They grow up fast. My sons are 50 and 54 years old. Back in Wisconsin I've shot CAS and NCOWS matches with both my son and his son. I made the leather for them..

Oh, its okay. I was messing with you. I have a 20 year old, 19 year old and a 7 year old.