Bridle leather

[Skeeter Lewis]

I'm finding it tough to find the right bridle leather for billet, chape and cartridge loops. Is it PC to use ordinary veg-tan leather for these? Skeet

[cowboy316]

Skeeter see how you are i was just reading bout leather weight for billets and chapes and cartridge loops now got to get up and go look again ok found it the pattern i use is from Will Ghormley and he uses 9-10 oz for the belt and billet and chape and 4-5 oz for the cartridge loops hope this helps you some 
    Cowboy316

[ChuckBurrows]

Skeeter - where did you get the idea that bridle leather was called for? Bridle leather is usually a heavier oiled and waxed leather suitable for that use where horse sweat, urine, and other nasties attack the leather. The majority of original gunleather I've inspected used saddlery sides in the proper weights.
FWIW _ I use 8/10 oz for billet and chape and I skive the sewn end to reduce the thickness - some originals did others didn't and many originals used 6/7 or 7/8 oz. For loops I use 3/4 oz which was one of the most common weigth used back then. There is no absolute wrong or right unless you are making an exact copy than IMO it behooves one to use materials as close as possible to the original piece.

[Skeeter Lewis]

Thanks Chuck. I'm happy to find I'm wrong. It simplifies matters a whole lot. I'd got it in my noggin that a different leather was used.

Thanks also, Cowboy.

Skeet

[RollingThunder]

I'll have to look when I get home, but some of the holsters in Packing Iron refer to the use of bridle leather, I believe. It would make sense if you're out in the elements and want your leather (and gun) waterproof.

However, most was veg-tan from what little I've seen.

Chuck knows though. Chuck is wise. Chuck is very, very wiiiiiiiise. 

[saddler]

As I do a lot of traditional English shooting accessories, plus a few horse tack & saddle repairs, the main leather I have about the place is bridle leather, so tend to use this for other projects.

Bridle leather IS veg. tanned - its just its then given extra treatments & dressings following the initial tanning process.

My opinion: back in the day, as now, they'd have used what they had on hand & priced the job accordingly; esp. if the customer wasn't wanting to wait for new stocks of leather to be delivered, etc.