Saddle Bags w/holsters

[outrider]

I didn't want to highjack KT's post on saddlebags but wanted to answer JOEC's inquiry

JOEC
Here is a set of single strap saddle bags (of the Will Ghormley pattern) with holsters and "hair on" covered flaps

[outrider]

Here is a third photo of these bags

[joec]

Those are really nice. What would something like that cost without the fur flap, dyed with a walnut stain and a single right hand holster? Just curious as I might want to get something like that this winter for next season. Oh and thanks for posting this it is appreciated.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I have never seen a reference to saddlebags, slung behind the cantle, with holsters.  It would be difficult to get the gun out to use if it were arranged like that.  Spare revolvers were carried in saddlebags I believe, but inside the bag.

What is shown in PACKING IRON are pommel bags, made for slick fork saddles, with holster(s).  It leaves the pistol butt very handy to the hand.  Google shows different examples but a repro of the Winchester & Main product is being made by El Paso Saddlery;

http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-61-66-pommel-bags-with-two-holsters.aspx

See the "ushist" site for military pommel holsters;

http://www.ushist.com/19th-century_saddles-tack_f.shtml

[Dalton Masterson]

I have found these VERY handy for CAS matches, especially when shooting Frontiersman. I can put all my gear in the bags, go to the next berm, load up, and prep for the next stage, and even have room for a spare pistol or two as backup.
I built mine to be handy on my shoulder, not off of a saddle.
DM

[joec]

I have found these VERY handy for CAS matches, especially when shooting Frontiersman. I can put all my gear in the bags, go to the next berm, load up, and prep for the next stage, and even have room for a spare pistol or two as backup.
I built mine to be handy on my shoulder, not off of a saddle.
DM

I shot in NCOWS and use a saddle bag for my ammo, extra gun, ear plugs etc now. I have no urge to own a gun cart really as the saddle bag works just fine. I would like to carry my backup gun though in a holster instead of inside the bag. I also only take 1 backup not two.

[KidTerico]

Outrider glad you showed your bag. Yours has the flap on it . Real nice work. Dalton show the one you showed me.  Another nice one. KT

[outrider]

Sir Charles,

You are correct I too have never seen a set of saddle bags with holsters in Packin Iron.....that being said...I referred to this saddle bag style as being of the "Will Ghormley" pattern...with the flaps having hair on...never mentioned Packin Iron.   

KT,

The saddle bags that Dalton displayed on the other site is of the same "Will Ghormley"  pattern as the ones I did except he did a different stamping pattern and a different color...aren't they good looking though   

[Wolf Tracker]

Outrider  I like the look of those. The hair on gives it a nice touch.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I merely used Packing Iron as an illustration.  One can design, make, and use anything he or she thinks suits their needs.  It just seems impractical to have to reach back behind you while in the saddle to deploy your piece.  The pommel bag holster has been used in the past and seems like a much better idea to me. I also notice that the historic pommel bag holsters are covered with a full-length flap.  How a pommel bag fits on a modern swell fork saddle is something I have yet to figure out.

Since my last posting it occurred to me that if you are riding in treed, or brushy areas having the revolver lower down and behind you would make it much more likely to be fouled, dropped, or lost.

If the bag you show is for use at a NCOWS match in support of a "Working Cowboy" then my comments can & likely will be ignored

[Dalton Masterson]

Here it is KT...
DM

[joec]

Here it is KT...
DM

Now those look great Dalton. 

[outrider]

Sir Charles,

Again you are correct about the pummel bags.  The more recent ones that I have seen have been modified from the original design by adding a swell in the area where they go over the horn which places the bags in front of the fork area.  Not being an avid rider I dont know how well this design would work.  Actually the only saddle I own is a fully restored 1904 Pattern McClellan which was done by F. Burgess (now defunk...unfortunately) in Red Bank N.J......boy they were good at restoring saddles...

[KidTerico]

Dalton they sure look nice witk some wear. KT

[will ghormley]

I been makin' saddlebags that'a'way so long, I forgot I started doin' it to carry guns between stages.  Man, that was a long time ago, (not near long enough to make it PC though!).

Saddlebags make good light carry bags when travelin' too.  I had one guy who had me put a handle on his for when he was hoppin' trains.

Some places, it isn't legal to ride with a gun on ya any more.  I wouldn't want to have to yank a pistol out'a a saddlebag holster in a hurry, but neither would I like to go to jail for carryin' a pistol on my person these days.

That reminds me of when I was a youngster.  In Colorado, in those days, anyone could carry a pistol as long as it was in the open and unloaded.  I use to love seein' the cowboys come to town wearin' their spurs and gun belts.  Only, they all carried 1911s in those days.  I finally found out it was because they had to carry 'em empty, and the 1911s were quicker to load.  Those were the days!

Will

[Massive]

Just got this pattern on Monday.  Very interesting.