Josey Wales Shoulder Holster

[amin ledbetter]

Those didn't turn out to bad. 

I ran into an issue with the wet forming on the prototype. I may have it figured out. I am going to try again this weekend to fix it. I want to try and get the shoulder straps cut out as well. I have a lot planned for me this weekend. ( Please note I said planed FOR me, not by me. ) Honey DO!!!!  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  I'll keep ya posted. Thanks for the pics Dino!

[GunClick Rick]

Guess i will have to call him and find out for sure..

[GunClick Rick]

well i called c.wood,that what we call him in the buissness,(ahem)he said to check this website and ask  around.He said well,i know it's out there,i check it now and then ta see if they get things right(ahem) Cya GCER,he calls me GCER(ahem)

http://www.clinteastwood.org/forums/index.php

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Cool link, Rick. Thanks. I just teetered away a half an hour just brushing the surface.

[GunClick Rick]

That's Gun (full -O-baloney) Rick

[JD Alan]

Like we didn't know that? 

[GunClick Rick]

WAA HAA

[amin ledbetter]

Well I have been workin on the Josey Wales Shoulder holster this weekend. I started the one for the 49 Pocket. There is a lot of things I have had to work out on the holster and shoulder strap. Getting the shape correct and fitting its contours to the holster has been a chore. I believe I have it though. I also noticed one huge problem with the original design. There is no way Josey whore that holster in the movie while doing any movement without the holster strap snapped over the gun. The gun will fall out with the slightest of movements. So I went ahead and did another holster the same shape, and toyed with different lengths on the side stitching until I was able to leave the gun in the holster with it unsnapped and it not fall out while walking. Though it will fall out if you bend over with it unsnapped. I will post picks of it tonight. I still need to down load them to my PC.   

[Boothill Bob]

Amin
I think that u should make it as in the movie with
a holster strap that u can unsnap with your tumb.
Do u think it works?

[Slowhand Bob]

How about the possibility that the orriginal maker used a spring wrap sandwiched within the leather?  What with the fast and brief shots of this holster, they could have gotten away with all sorts of trickery to look good on screen.

[amin ledbetter]

Amin
I think that u should make it as in the movie with
a holster strap that u can unsnap with your tumb.
Do u think it works?

Oh I plan to make it exactly like it was in the movie Bob. The strap works, and works well. I was merely making note of the fact that every time but one that the holster is visibly shown in the movie it is already unsnapped, and the gun will not stay in the holster if it is not snapped. Here is what I was referring to with the two different styles


See how far the gun can tilt out the back when the holster is unsnapped! No way would it stay in it unsnapped


On this one I stitched the side up until the gun could not come out except if you bent over with it unsnapped. If I make any of these for a customer, I would want them to know about this and have this option for safety. In the end I would be liable if I did not let them know and offer it.  


Side by side comparison.


Here is what I have done to this point on the rig I am making that replicates the movie rig.



I am making the pattern for the top of the shoulder strap now.

How about the possibility that the orriginal maker used a spring wrap sandwiched within the leather?  What with the fast and brief shots of this holster, they could have gotten away with all sorts of trickery to look good on screen.

I guess anything is possible in the movies SB! I would think that it was just kept snapped when the gun was in it and he was doing any ridding or movements, and only unsnapped when the gun was ready to be drawn into action. Heck it coulda been Velcrod in for all we know!  

[amin ledbetter]

Here are a couple of pics from the movie. They are a  little grainy but you can see the in the first one how low the side is stitched up.



This one is from the end scene after he has killed Capt Terrill and makes his way into the town saloon. This is the only shot in the movie that shows the holster visibly snapped closed.

[Slowhand Bob]

WOW, you have really done your homework as I have looked for and missed these shots.  Then again, every time I try to study details in a favorite movie I get sidetracked by the movie again!

[Boothill Bob]

Very nice work om that holster. It may stay in the holster unsnapt if u are on your back

[Dino]

That looks great amin! 
How easy is it to remove the pistol in the holster with the higher stitching, when worn?
The movie version makes the most practical sense, but I do like the idea of a little added insurance that would prevent the pistol from falling out. 

[Kid Terico]

Amin , I think that you have done a outstanding job up to this point on the rig.I like both versions. Waiting to see it done. KT

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

amin, nice job with the tutorial, and a dandy job on your rig, this is what's great about being a leather worker, you can make things the way you want them, you are never stuck with a pattern that doesn't work for you. great work, pard and keep  the fire going with your work.

              tEN wOLVES 

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

http://www.imfdb.org/index.php/The_Outlaw_Josey_Wales

Scroll to the last still photo.  It is a clearer picture of Josie's shoulder holster.

[JD Alan]

Amin, you've really done a fine job (as always). Like the rest, I appreciate the work and the time you've taken to include us in your project. 

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Sir Charles

      That's an excellent link, and provides a lot of good photo's of not only the shoulder holster, but a variety of firearms and his main holster, Thanks for sharing this with us pard.

       Regards

     tEN wOLVES