Native American Beaded holsters

[Mogorilla]

When did they appear.  Had my mind set to making one, but my persona has not made it to 1870 yet.  I am betting they are a reservation/circa 1900 era, but hope earlier.   Anyone know for sure?

[St. George]

They're earlier than you'd think - ask Chuck Burrows.

Better yet, visit his website - Wild Rose Trading Co.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[GunClick Rick]

Beaded and buffalo

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,

What a great excuse to visit his webpage!

http://www.wrtcleather.com/index_holsters-main.html

TTFN,

[Mogorilla]

Always enjoy looking at Chucks work.  Gives me lots to try and attain.  What I am really looking at are along this line.  I have not seen commercial versions of them, or really that many examples.  Not sure of their time frame

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I recall seeing several beaded holsters in PACKING IRON.

I think beading would be time consuming and it might be a good craft project at home rather than paying someone else to do it???

HMmm   Maybe that is why they are not often seen as commercial items

[G.W. Strong]

I recall seeing several beaded holsters in PACKING IRON.

Since Packing Iron was sitting right here I went and took a look. There are lots of beautiful  beaded items in the backgrounds of pictures but only one beaded holster. There a a gorgeous on on page 131 and it is dated to 1900-1910. Unfortunately it is the only holster. However there are also two rifle scabbards on pages 160 and 161. These are earlier. One dates from  1875-1885 and the other from 1890-1900. I would not be surprised if you found them earlier as well. I think it would be a awesome winter project for the feller with a lot of time on his hands.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

It would  not be hard to make a story up about a holster made by a 'pacified' squaw at a fort doing some beadwork for an Army Officer during the period of the Indian Wars or a bit afterward ... much like  Custer's coat of white elk ( I think) ...  I have heard it said that uniforms were fairly lax while on patrol ... and since officers were given allowances to buy and keep up their side arms, this may well have been the case where some officer decided to keep his black holster and belt for the parade field, and wear this easy-to-keep-up holster away from the fort .... at least, that is the story I would stick to ....*S*

TTFN,

[ChuckBurrows]

Sorry to be slow but I've been fighting with a bout of pneumonia......

The earliest I've seen is 1850's which makes sense since that is the period when men really began wearing holstered handguns. Beaded rifle scabbards show up at least as far back as the 1830's (George Catlin illustrated one carried by a Comanche in 1834)
The vast majority of the beaded holsters still in existence though are from the 1880's and onward - most being used/worn at that time by Wild West show members. The big difference between the early types would be the type beads used - pony beads were generally used earlier (pre-1850), but then again seed beads have been used in the West since at least 1800 (despite common knowledge that seed beads weren't introduced until post 1850). ANotehr difference is the patterns used - most "tribal" patterns weren't codified until the post 1850 era, although the Crow and Cheyenne had some established beadwork styles/patterns beginning by the late 1830's. Most of the Plains beadwork we see so often is very late rez period (post 1880 or so) so one needs to study the subject to get it "right" if such interests you.

I think beading would be time consuming and it might be a good craft project at home rather than paying someone else to do it???

HMmm   Maybe that is why they are not often seen as commercial items

Time consuming - generally yes, but then again it depends on the beader - some of the So Idaho Bannack/Shoshone beaders are very fast for instance. After doing it for over 50 years I'm middling fast, and beading while relatively slow is a great way to relax and yet be doing something. While I encourage folks to learn, doing GOOD beadwork though takes lots of practice (even after 50 years I still tear out and re-do a fair amount of the work at times) so depending on your needs/desires it may behoove one to contract the work.

While beaded holsters are seldom seen by todays' makers (Wild Bill Cleaver is one of the few I know who has offered them besides myself), there are many beaders out there doing lots of beautiful (and yes often expensive - see places like Praire Edge or Sherwoods) work.  On the other hand there are beaders who will do contract work and at least some are not overly expensive. For those who wish to learn though there are plenty of resources.

[GunClick Rick]

What an education Chuck,thank you! I would sure love to have one for my collection,but i know they are ex$pen$ive

Hope you get over the illness,folks have been having a real bad battle with things lately,thought i was a goner there for awhile..I know a gal Julia Parker that lives and works in Yosimite that is a basket weaver of the highest regards,has some of her baskets in the Smithsonian,she says she thinks of all the patterns in her mind and then creates,absolutely mind boggeling to me along with the things we have seen from you..For a great viewing exsperience look up Julia Parker on youtube..

By the way do you have any youtube videos???

[Mogorilla]

Thanks everyone.  I have some thicker braintan sitting in a box and some pony beads.   I am guessing I just found my new spring project, along with the coyotye face pouch, coyote quiver, buffalo lined mittens,etc.   So much to make so little time.  At least I am putting one of my MBA classes in my rear veiw mirror this saturday (love the half term classes, intense while you are in them, but done in 8 weeks!)

[ChuckBurrows]

Mo - on the vast majority of such holsters I've examined first hand, most were a veg/bark tan holster ( a few rawhide liners), with an added cover that the beadwork is attached to, so no real need to use extra heavy/thick hide to bead on.

Rick - NO I currently do not have any Youtubevideossalthoughgh I am working towards that goal, but under my current circumstances it will be awhile yet.

[Mogorilla]

Great looking items!!
My project still sits uncut, but I am done with Summer school in a week!

[GunClick Rick]

Don't tell KT that

[Danny Bear Claw]

They look real good.  I'd like a pair myownself since my persona is that of a half breed, but I think I would rather make them myself than buy them.  I already make lots of Indian stuff myself, (i.e. dream catchers, medicine wheels, speaking sticks, speaking feathers, decorated skulls, etc.), I've been wanting to get a bead loom and start working with the seed beads on moccasins, belts and holsters.   

[Skeeter Lewis]

Chuck - you mentioned Wild Bill Cleaver's work which I've liked ever since I got PI. Does he have a website though? I can't find anything online.