Need help with locating an item

[Bull Durham]

Howdy. I just aquired a 2nd gen Colt 1st model dragoon and want to make a holster. I want to make a slim jim style with a silver or brass end cap. Where can I get an end cap. Also, how does the end cap attach to the body of the holster. I have seen lots of pictures of this type of holster but have never handled one. Thanks for the help.
Bull Durham.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I've made end caps from a double layer of the same leather I use to make the hoster. The two pieces are glued together then sewn in to hold it in place. The stitches are put in at an angle from side to bottom.

[St. George]

If by 'end cap' you mean the metal 'tip' that's commonly seen on pommel holsters - then you may want to have a talk with a good metal fabricator - or even a manufacturing jeweler.

With sheet brass or even sheet silver - they can measure and cut what's needed and then weld and grind to the rounded bottom contour.

Polished afterwards and left to 'age' a bit - it'll look good.

The ones I've seen on a period pommel holster were held in place by both friction and by a 'staple'.

For an example of that - look at one of the bayonet scabbards for the SMLE.

Of course - if you don't have a 'friend in the business' - then start looking in old hardware or antique shops for something 'usable' and adapt it.

That's what I'd do first - since it's the cheapest way to find what you may want.

Reinforce the belt loop when you make your holster and be sure to use a good belt - those big Dragoons revolver weren't exactly meant for carry by a man - but rather by a horse - 'Duell McCall' notwithstanding...

Reading the previous post - you could also try making that tip from leather - by first making it like a 'dice cup' and then slipping it into place with a good glue - like Barge Cement - and then stitching it down.
A contrasting color at the tip would make for an attractive holster.

Good Luck.

Scouts Out!

[Mogorilla]

If you find a source, let us know.  I have been looking for a while myself.

[Doc Neeley]

Cash manufacturing in WI might be able to make them. I sent him an email and will let people know of his response if any.

[Slowhand Bob]

I have not done this but I have seen the technique illustrated in old magazine articles.  Start with a fairly close representation of your holster bottom made from a hard wood which will be the male part of your form. Make a generusly oversized female version of your holsters base.  Drive your thin sheet brass through the female form using the male form.  This is done in three or four total steps that graduate from the largest oversize female form down to a final fit female form.  Seems like there was a couple of alignment pins protruding from the bottom of the male form which indexed a matching set of holes through the brass sheet to assure repeatable aliignment. I'm sure there are experienced leatherworkers who use these techniques for doing metal holster liners, caps, etc.

[Nolan Sackett]

If anybody is interested in having some made on a strictly LIMITED custom basis call me - while I have no pictures of holsters with metal end caps the same process is used when making the mouth cap for sheaths ....in fact holsters are simpler since there's no slot needed for a blade and no need to hang a belt loop off it.......
some examples........






And the same method is also used for making hawk end caps.........it's a fairly simple two piece process done this way - no molds needed except the piece itself........

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Very nice work, Nolan. I particularly like the one with the harness buton made on it. Outstanding.

[Nolan Sackett]

Thanks WIll - here s the how the stud is used on this one.....


And the back side.........


BTW - The carving is based on the engraving style used on early Colt's - did my first piece using that engraving/carving style about 8 or 9 years ago - customers seem to like it 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks for the additional photos, Nolan. My keyboard is in danger of shorting out from all the drooling, though.

[Kid Cavalier]

Beautiful work Nolan!

Do your instructional DVDs include how to make the caps and throats of your sheaths?  I've always wanted to learn how to make those.

[Nolan Sackett]

Howdy Kid - sorry no - suppose I'll put that one in the "Things' to include" if or when I do another.
Making those DVD's is HARD work!

The basic process though is pretty simple - at least on paper........I normally use something like 18-20 gauge for the end of the cap and 22-24 gauge for the tube. Cut the end cap slightly oversize, wrap the tube around the piece and trim to fit, then solder the two together using low heat silver solder. File/grind the end cap flush with the edge of the tube if so desired, then polish. The metal is thin - so were the originals - so one has to take extra care not to dent it - unless of course you want the "aged" look 

[Kid Cavalier]

Thanks Nolan!

What type of metals have you used?  What type of solder?  I'm not much of a metalsmith.  Can you reccomend a site for instructions or a good book?

Via Con Dios,
Kid

[Rap Scallion]

   Stunning Nolan............My work is pretty primative compared to yours!

Give me incentive to get working to be better!  Thanks for sharing the knives and all of your other work with us!

[Nolan Sackett]

Thankee for the kind words.

Kid - I've used german aka nickel silver - my least favorite as it's stiffer than the other metals, Sterling silver - my favorite but of course expensive, brass, and copper.

For soldering I generally use a low heat silver bearing solder such as StayBrite.

I don't know of any tutorials on line, but have never searched - jewelry making sites and books are your best bet for how-to. The book, "Instructions & Hints for Assembling Pipe Tomahawks", which I usually have for sale (I'm out of stock right now but you can also get it several other places on line) shows the basics for doing a cap such as the one shown

[Kid Cavalier]

Thanks Nolan,

I appreciate this information!

Kid