Question on Laced Holsters

[WolfWalker]

I've started to plan out several holsters(and probably more gun belts if Will keeps cranking out new buckles) and one of the ones I'm wanting to do is a Mexican Loop with a Mexican Round Braid Border instead of Hand Stitching.(Was thinking of using either Kangaroo hide or deer skin for the lacing).

Something I got to wondering was,  how available were laced holsters befor 1900?  I've looked all through Packing Iron and all the laced holsters are from 1905-1945.  There are only one from 1890-1895 on page 127, but it's only one that has had a thong-repair at the throat.  The one I especially like on page 130 from 1910-1920 done with yucca fiber braid/embroidery with a belt extender(2 buckles at each end of the belt with another piece to extend it out).  I'd really like to find out how the yucca fiber braiding/embroidery is done.

The only other rig I've found is on page 102 of Cowboy's and Trappings of the Old West that is laced.  The Holster was supposed to have been made by a cowboy using the saddle repair tools in the bunkhouse,  but the gunbelt was commercially made.  There is no date on the photograph.

I'm also looking for suggestions on which lace to use(Kangaroo is my first choice) or any special prep I might need.  I just made up a batch of plaiting soap(Recipe form Ron Edwards whipmaking book) the other day after I mixed up some of Nolan Sackett's pine pitch/bee's wax thread wax.  He's right about the pine pitch making it stickier.  Was rolling a piece of it in my hands and it cleaned the motor oil off my hands from a water pump was helping my brother repair.

Any help would be greatly appreciated--Wolfwalker

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

 
Howdy Wolfwalker

            You might want to ask Chuck Burrows some of these questions, from one Wolf to another Wolf, if anyone would know he would. 




                                                             tEN wOLVES

[Judge Lead]

WolfWalker,
if you are going to lace, my suggestion would be for the Roo lace (but then again, I may be biased ). It is the strongest leather for its thickness anywhere.
The matter of lacing will really depend on how PC (period correct) you REALLY want to be. I think that some of the upper crust would have had very ornate leather to indicate their position and if it looks correct, who is going to take you to task on it.

Just my thoughts. Others mileage may vary.

Regards

[Irish Dave]

I believe laced seam holsters are generally considered to be a post-1900 item.

[Springfield Slim]

If you like the look then go for it.

[WolfWalker]

Thanks for the responses gang.(Sorry to take so long, hadn't had a chance to get to a computer).

I was planning on doing the laced holsters either way.  Just got kind of curious on how hold the designs been around.....

[Slowhand Bob]

It just sometimes seems like what looks the most old west isn't!  One of my favorite looks is a ruff-out style skirted holster but it appears they either were not there or at least very uncommon.  I just kinda figure, if it wasn't there it shoulda been.  A laced mainsem actually looks old west, perhaps even Indian crafted.