1875 era Texas Ranger belt questions

Little Dalton · August 14, 2013, 10:42:25 AM

Hey guys, I'm into a new project, and wanted a little input. I'm making a holster and belt for my father-in-law to carry his peacemaker in, especially while on horseback in the Texas brush. He's a real Texas cowboy, and a history nut (like myself), and has done a lot of reading on the Texas Rangers. As he is a big fan of Captain McNelly, I wanted to make him a rig that would be very close to something one of McNelly's Rangers would have worn, circa 1875.
I am kind of a stickler for "getting it right" on a historical reproduction, so I've been doing a little research. I'm going to go with a period slim jim, to be worn on the left side for cross-draw. I've found lots of examples of holsters, but little in the way of definitive belt info. I've never made a cartridge belt before, as most of my previous leatherworking has been confined to civil war era. Was wondering if anyone could give me some pointers as to period correct construction, width, cartridge loops (quantity, location and attachment), buckles, etc. etc...

Massive · August 14, 2013, 04:54:42 PM

http://www.curtrich.com/mcnelly.html

Cliff Fendley · August 14, 2013, 05:19:58 PM

I doubt those paintings are very accurate. The holster and belt in the first painting (the wide money belt) makes me think more later in the century than what a 1875 Texan would have worn.

ChuckBurrows · August 14, 2013, 05:51:36 PM

Get a copy of Packing Iron and check out the belts - there are several illustrated and dated that will help

Here's an early style cartridge belt that is typical of the earlier era (pre1880) -

This one is 1.5" wide with sewn loops and an antique roller buckle - typically for this era belts ran around 1.5-2.5" wide - either straight (as shown) or tapering down to a 1.5" wide buckle - billeted ends were also used by not quite as common until later. Buckles could be roller type, square/rectangular harness, or clip corner with nickel plating or solid brass. Single veg/bark leather thickness (no lining) in 8/9 oz weight would be the most common. Color: natural/oiled, dyed brown or black (black was most commonly attained using vinegar black aka vinegaroon)

For illustration purposes here is a tapered end belt and a billeted end:

This last set is based on an original South Texas set circa 1875-1880 (in this version the belt was "lengthened") - it offers an alternative style to the Slim Jim Holster as well which works better with cartridge loops

Little Dalton · August 14, 2013, 07:15:33 PM

Thanks guys! Keep it coming! Mr. Burrows, very informative! I checked out that "curtrich" site before, and I love the photo of William Callicott, one of McNelly's rangers. Wish I could see his belt in detail. It appears to be fairly narrow, I would say 2" inches wide or less. I just wish I knew how many cartridge loops it has (I assume it has them), as I can't see them in the photo. I have yet to base a "historical" piece off a modern painting. I like to go off original photos and existing original pieces whenever possible.

Marshal Will Wingam · August 14, 2013, 08:38:15 PM

My vote would be for a narrow one like Chuck shows in the first two pictures. Yeah, a little bit of stitching but well worth it. That would be a mighty cool rig.

Little Dalton · August 16, 2013, 09:15:34 AM

Ok, getting a little braver about this, going to take the plunge soon and start laying out and cutting out... I'm still wondering about a couple of things, though. ....holy mackerel, I love Mr. Burrows' work!!! I've been reading his back posts with interest. I really appreciate the attention to detail, study, and research he gives his work.

Anyhow, back on subject... I have a couple of questions: for an 1875 era rig, can I get away with: (yes, bad attitude!)

Holster:

(1) Sewed-round end, instead of the more preferable plugged end?

(2) A spacer of leather sandwiched in the main seam of the holster? The pattern I'm starting with and modifying heavily has such a spacer, and I'm afraid if I omit it, the gun won't fit as well.

On the belt: I can't decide between full-woven and sewn loops. Thoughts? Weren't sewn loops more common?

Also, I'm still thinking about Texas Ranger Bill Callicott's belt. There are no loops visible in the photo, as near as I can tell. Reckon is it more probable that the belt had no loops, or would it be possible and PC to have loops that didn't come too close to either end of the belt- i.e. in the back, maybe?
Having myself never worn a cartridge belt (yeah, I know:)), how does a holster put on over cartridge loops ride/feel? (if I were to go with a full compliment of loops). I think my father-in-law would want loops, so I'm just trying to decide on the best configuration. I am kinda thinking about a 2"-wide belt with a square buckle, and maybe 18 sewn loops, offset from where the holster will ride. What do y'all think?
As far as room on the belt, Nathan (my father-in-law) and I both have 31" waists, so it's not going to be a huge belt.

Marshal Will Wingam · August 16, 2013, 10:23:05 AM

I can't speak to some of your questions, but Packing Iron shows examples of rounded, sewn toes on California style holsters. P81 - 1855-1865, p87 - 1860-1870, p89 - 1875-1878, p90 1870-1880. Of course there are others 1880 & up. It sounds like it would be your choice, there.

Skeeter Lewis · August 16, 2013, 10:32:14 AM

I've posted this already, but this seems like a good place also. The rig is in the style of the 1870s and has a belt very like Chuck's. This is probably the way to go.

Little Dalton · August 16, 2013, 02:22:37 PM

Yep, saw that pic when you posted it, and love it! Going to probably do something real similar, except with a square buckle and fewer loops. Again, what do y'all think?

Skeeter Lewis · August 16, 2013, 02:56:59 PM

The roller buckle has a very 'period' look. Also, belts tended to have as many loops as possible back then. They didn't always have access to stores to buy more ammunition so they carried as much as possible.
And the holster went over the cartridges.

Little Dalton · August 16, 2013, 03:25:52 PM

I agree that the roller buckle looks awesomely period correct, and that more cartridge loops are practical, but I'm kind of trying to go off this photo to some extent, and records of McNelly's Rangers around 1875. As far as ammo, McNelly's boys were short on ammo quite a few times. This is William Callicott, one of Capt. Leander McNelly's Rangers, circa 1875. Note the narrow belt w/obviously square buckle, and a dearth of cartridge loops. Wish the image were a little clearer and larger...

ChuckBurrows · August 16, 2013, 03:36:06 PM

A belt without loops along with a Slim Jim is definitely historically proper for the time and place since 1875 is really pretty much the dawn of using large bore cartridge hand guns. Best bet for a square buckle similar to the period ones are the 1 3/4" wide garrison buckles - check various sources though because some are more rectangular than square

Skeeter Lewis · August 17, 2013, 03:38:52 AM

Here's a slim jim rig with narrow belt. Edit out the loops.

Little Dalton · August 17, 2013, 07:03:09 AM

Cool stuff. Boy, I like that rig, esp. the buckle. Never said NO loops, though. My father-in-law wants loops, and I think that is a practical choice. Again, I just need to figure out configuration.

Little Dalton · August 18, 2013, 08:46:59 AM

Ok, I've taken the plunge... Have cut out the belt and holster. I don't have any real leather working tools besides a good pair of leather scissors and a rotary hole punch that only has two good punches.

I've actually done most of the cutting so far with the utility knife out of my construction tool pouch.

It's got a sharp razor blade that cuts really well. I'm going to get a harness shop to do the stitching, and split the leather for the loops down thinner. Just wish I had access to an edge beveler, and some line-embossing tools at the very least. I ordered a couple of buckles that are supposed to arrive tomorrow.

ChuckBurrows · August 18, 2013, 12:42:32 PM

Quote from: Capnball on August 18, 2013, 08:46:59 AM
Ok, I've taken the plunge... Have cut out the belt and holster. I don't have any real leather working tools besides a good pair of leather scissors and a rotary hole punch that only has two good punches. I've actually done most of the cutting so far with the utility knife out of my construction tool pouch. It's got a sharp razor blade that cuts really well. I'm going to get a harness shop to do the stitching, and split the leather for the loops down thinner. Just wish I had access to an edge beveler, and some line-embossing tools at the very least. I ordered a couple of buckles that are supposed to arrive tomorrow.

1) lots of leather crafters use a utility knife me included
2) Edge beveler - use sand paper - about 120 grit with a hard backer and work length wise to break the edges
3) Line embossing - use a set of dividers (special locking ones are made for leather crafting but any decent set will work fine when used with care) or even a kids circle compass will work just fine