Another New Stamp - The Finished Product

[Marshal Will Wingam]

OK, anyone who frequents the gunsmithing forum will see that I screwed up and ponted this over there, thinking I was on this forum. 

I liked the border on one of the holsters in Packing Iron (page 102, bottom) so I decided to make one similar to it. It's correct for the period I'm using for my leather and outfits. My new holsters will have this pattern on them. It took a couple hours of filing and such to make the stamp. Now I have it and have already stamped the border on my holsters. I'll be somewhat busy for the next week or two, but will have them made soon. Here's a pic showing the pattern.

[Irish Dave]

I like it.

[crossdraw]

Marshal
I am impressed with the detail you are able to get with files, What kind are you using?
After reading your previous post I made a few stamps. Mine don't have the fine detail that yours have they are just basic shapes such as half moon, diamond, horseshoe, single bar and round with a dimple in the center. The one I like the most was made from a 12 point aircraft bolt, all I had to do was file off some markings on the head and it was ready to use. I used the 12 point on my cuffs and will post a picture when they are finished.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Great job! 

Slim

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I am impressed with the detail you are able to get with files, What kind are you using?
After reading your previous post I made a few stamps. Mine don't have the fine detail that yours have they are just basic shapes such as half moon, diamond, horseshoe, single bar and round with a dimple in the center. The one I like the most was made from a 12 point aircraft bolt, all I had to do was file off some markings on the head and it was ready to use. I used the 12 point on my cuffs and will post a picture when they are finished.

Most of my work is with a fine, 8" flat file. It's almost new and it only gets use on fine finish work. Other than that, I do have a set of swiss files for fine work. The small score across the center of the "X" was made with the corner of that flat file. The secret is to have good files with fine teeth and nice, square corners. I have a couple files that never see steel, they're only used on aluminum. When I need a new file for fine work, I'll take one of those and replace it. You can do the same thing with good tools. I had to do that tip twice because I took too much off on one stroke and had to start with more material. Even at that, it only took about two hours to get it right. After it gets close to what I want, I keep a piece of cased leather next to me and I make a stroke with the file then test it, another stroke and test, etc. I prefer rusty bolts because after wire brushing, they have a texture to the shank and I don't have to knerl or texture it.

And, yes, We need to see the finished items.

I like it.

Great job!

Thanks, pards.

[Johnny McCrae]

Beautiful job! Thanks for sharing this with us.

Look forward to seeing the finished product.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

OK, Pards, here's the finished product. When I make another pair I will do the border a little further from the edge, otherwise it looks good. The holsters are Dodge city ones that I copied from page 101 in packing Iron and the border is from the same era, which I've explained before. The holsters were dyed with Nolan Sacket's formula for vinegar and steel wool, neutralized with baking soda and water and finished up with a light coat of olive oil. The belt was not done this way as you can see by the un-dyed back, but I needed a belt for the photo so I grabbed what was handy. The copper rivets are correct for the era, as well. I will get to use them at our match in two weeks.

[Irish Dave]

Very nice job, Will, head to toe.
That's a good lookin' piece of work.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks, Dave. It was fun to do. I guess I'll have to make a brown pair next. With the minor changes.

[Johnny McCrae]

That is beautiful work Marshall !

Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks, Johnny. I'm looking at making a third one wo I can put the other ideas to rest. Yeah, THAT'S a good excuse.

[Cooleemee Edd]

That is purdy work!!  I'll be glad to get home to the land of nice leather and tools so I can do a little tooling also.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I'll be glad to get home to the land of nice leather and tools so I can do a little tooling also.