Gun riggins'

[Marshal Deadwood]

I wonder,,how many folks made their own pistol riggins....in a pinch?

Iv thought about makin' me own riggin's for a couple revolvers,,,,and im sure it wouldnt be top shelf stuff....but,,,

Ya'll's thoughts ? Good leather supplier that can be trusted not to end up with ya farm ?

Marshal Deadwood

[Tubac]

Here's one that looks home made.

Tubac

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I would iffn I had the talent.  I'm learning, but so far just a couple knife sheaths and some leather holders for small toiletry items: straight razor, badger brush, toothbrush, etc.

[Dutch Limbach]

When I first got into WAS I wanted to make holsters that would fit in with my persona of a humble farmer. While vhecking into the subject I came across a couple of references that said a lot of the "Slim Jim" holsters were often "home made". The gun owner would simply fold a piece of leather around the pistol and sewed it up.

You should be able to make yourself some pretty servicable holsters with a few basic tools. A couple of harness needles, an overstitch wheel, an awl, and some waxed thread. If you have a color rpeference you might want to add some dye to the list.

One time when I was making some holsters I took pictures of the various steps of the project. If you are interested send me an email (g.limbach@insightbb.com), and I can email the pictures to you.

Dutch

[St. George]

Just an observation...

As late as 1895 - you could buy leather Slim Jim holsters from Montgomery Ward & Co. - for .15 - .38 cents.

Mexican Loop holsters were available for .40 - .50 cents.

Throw in 6 cents for postage - and wait...

A cartridge belt went for .30 - .45 cents, with .10 cents for postage.

You could even get a rubber holster for your pocket revolver for .50 - .80 cents, depending upon caliber, and 4 cents would bring it to your door.

These holsters would've been machine-embossed and machine stitched, with loops where needed, and they'd've been made under contract by a 'big' harness-making firm, and they'd've been serviceable and thrifty for the average man who needed such a thing.

If you're at the gun shows, today - often you'll run across 'Oklahoma City' products that closely resemble these early 'hardware store' holsters.

They're nothing special - but they do do the job - and if you're somewhat inventive - they can be prettied up with some forethought - just as originals were.

In fact, I have a very plain original for a long-barrelled revolver - and the owner cut a small Buffalo skull at the point of the cylinder's center with his pocketknife - about 1" across, and shaped much like the 'signature' used by noted Western artist - Charley Russell.

Now, that said - 'bunkhouse-made' leather was probably a common thing, being made over the winter months by guys just keeping themselves busy.

These range from simple to somewhat 'ornate' - depending upon the puncher's ability, taste and the availability of nickle spots and such.

Some are good - some aren't - but they served the needs, and that's the important thing.

Good Luck.

If you do decide to make your own - make a pattern from stiff paper and work things out in your head before you start cutting leather.

The easiest to make will be a Mexican Loop, since handstitching's at a bare minimum and you can substiture lace in its place - plus - you don't have to worry about attaching a belt loop, since it creates its own.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Doc Neeley]

If you want just leather, Siegels of California is the place. Single oak shoulders cost $15-20 and you should be able to get 2 holsters out if that. Good luck.