Holster lining - how common and which materials

[timsouthouse]

I'm interested in developing an outfit for Dakota Territory 1875-1885 and am trying to find out as much as I can about acceptable holsters for this time frame and region. One bit of information I'm not having much luck with is holster lining. There seems to be evidence of some lined with colored fabrics and different kinds of leather, while others don't have any lining at all.

Do any of you know how common holster linings were? Were there regional variations or uses of materials?

[St. George]

Take a look at Rattenbury's 'Packing Iron' - you should be able to secure a copy through your local Public Library - and you'll see that some were lined with fabric - some with leather - and many, many more with no lining whatsoever.

Holsters of the era were 'Mexican Loop', and 'Slim Jim' styles - not wet-fitted/vacuum-molded types seen in today's carry leather - and they were worn 'high' - not dropped down the thigh of the user.

Belts were often 'Money Belt' style - making the carrying of revolvers more comfortable.

There are some good modern makers of period leather - you'll find them in the 'back pages' on this forum and in the 'Leather' forum - so do your homework and look at 'Packing Iron', and you'll be on your way.

And if you're looking to build your impression - by all means, check this forum's 'back pages' and those of NCOWS, as well.

Good Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Cliff Fendley]

One thing we must always remember when studying surviving examples of period leather. Much of what is still here for us to examine was somebodies special rig that may have not seen a lot of use. The ones that were used heavy have long since been discarded.

Not that there arent many examples of well worn rigs to examine but those fancier carved lined holsters that we see in very good condition were not the norm.

Most leather of the period was not lined and when you do see a well worn rig that is or was the lining is many times in bad shape or been removed.

There are certainly regional variations of holster styles and time periods. We discussed that in my seminar on gun leather at the NCOWS National convention last spring.

Packing Iron as mentioned is one good source that touches on that as well.

[Trailrider]

One type of lining used on an original slim jim holster for a M1851 Colt's Navy was a thin piece of red leather, either calf or pigskin. The lining was stitched to the outside of the holster, then rolled over the top and down inside the body. See the Trailrider Products "Utah Scout" for the reproduction over on the Gunfighter Zone.  Linings were probably less common, as they took more material and labor, and most cowboys couldn't justify the cost. But, they did exist.

[Skeeter Lewis]

As said above, linings were occasionally used. Linings though are generally the first part of a holster to give problems because of their thinness. A holster with a torn lining is no use.

[Cliff Fendley]

If someone insists on lining I suggest pigskin because it's tough and looks historically accurate.

You see a lot of originals that have had the lining ripped out of them.