Josey Wales Gunrig for Colt '47 Walkers (Uberti)

[Thomas (Tom) Horn aka James Hicks]

I have this fantasy of dressing up like (Eastwood) in the movie The Outlaw Josey Wales and shooting the stages Josey Wales Style... all pistols.  But trying to find gun leather that resembles the rig that Eastwood wore in the movie is not easy.  None were shown at the different gun leather places.  One's that I found were too expensive, another leather maker said it would be a 6 month wait, another said he could but he would have to find a Walker or Dragoon to use as a block for the holsters... I said to myself, enough of this nonsense... I will make my own JW Gunrig.  I had 2 Mexican Double Loop Sonoran holsters for 7.5" barrels From Triple K Leathers that I no longer used, so I started my process.  Cutting the double loops off and then using my Walkers cut the holster so that it resembled the holsters that Eastwood wore. I secured the belt flap to the holster using chicago screws. Once assembled, I soaked the holsters in water and then using my Walker's I form fitted the holster. I let the holsters dry and then removed the Walker and presto I had a Josey Wales holster. When I first bought the Triple K Sonoran holsters a few years back they cost $68 give or take. Since I quit using them they just collected dust... but they were the answer for my project. AND that my friends is a lot CHEAPER than any of the gun leather folks quoted me. I have ordered a replica Josey Wales brass belt buckle for the gunrig. Will update this post when I rec the buckle.  See the pics.  Tom Horn

[Camano Ridge]

Those look pretty good, and good use of what you had on hand.

[Gus Walker]

   By golly Tom those look great.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Very nice Tom, they look like the real deal, thanks for sharing...

tEN wOLVES 

[Silver_Rings]

TJ,

The holsters look great.  As usual you came up with a creative solution.

Silver Rings

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Cool. A little Yankee ingenuity and look what you have. Nicely done.

[Thomas (Tom) Horn aka James Hicks]

Updated-
The JW Gunleather Brass Buckle came today... This is what the rig looks like with the JW Brass Buckle (reproduction from Chisolm Trail) looks like.  I am no leathersmith and this rig is made from Triple K products that I no longer used.  Here are the pictures showing the rig with the buckle.  I looked at frames from the movie to make the reproduction gunrig.  T. Horn

[Jake C]

Good work! The rig looks great!

[Bruce W Sims]

Now THAT is way Cool!!

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[Camano Ridge]

Can't get much closer top the picture then that.

[Bruce W Sims]

Updated-
The JW Gunleather Brass Buckle came today... This is what the rig looks like with the JW Brass Buckle (reproduction from Chisolm Trail) looks like.  I am no leathersmith and this rig is made from Triple K products that I no longer used.  Here are the pictures showing the rig with the buckle.  I looked at frames from the movie to make the reproduction gunrig.  T. Horn

I'm thinking that matching the range coat that Clint is wearing may be a bit more of a trial. I went looking for the coat
that Gene Hackman wore in "Bite the Bullet" and had a deuce of a time. Still no luck. Its not that there weren't such
items being advertized, but all that I saw were essentially modern repro-s....and LOOKED it.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[Thomas (Tom) Horn aka James Hicks]

Bruce-

I found a person down in San Antonio, TX who makes the Josey Wales Jacket (vest??) I will have it next week if all goes well.  I found a person in Wyoming that also reproduces the shirt that Eastwood wore in the movie. I bought a JW hat from River Junction so by the end of next week I should have all the elements of the costume.  The only item that I will not add to my rendition of Josey is the '49 Wells Fargo Pocket Pistol 31 Cal. That Eastwood carries in a shoulder holster. When I dress and shoot the 5 stages as JW I will wear two shoulder holsters carrying the army 60's and the Walkers on hips.  I will stage a Rem '58 where ever the shotgun is to be staged.  Don't think my club would allow me to carry one of the '60's in my belt like Eastwood did in the movie... for safety reasons. Laughing.  When I get the full costume I will post a picture of it.  I just think it would be neat to shoot all the stages Josey Wales Style... with the Walkers bellowing out with 60 grs of the Holy Black....LOL

[Jake C]

Sounds like it'll be a fun time for you 

[Bruce W Sims]

Gonna be great pics...I'm looking forward to it!

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[Slowhand Bob]

Used to be a guy over on the SASS Wire who made the coats.  Since he couldn't advertise openly it might be a pain to find him.  An open question on he WIRE, with an email, address might get a response?  I have most of the elements for that costume BUT I am sadly missing all of the hair!

[Gabriel Law]

That is a most worthwhile project!  I too have dreams of putting together an outfit to compliment Josey Wales.  So far, I have the 1849 Colt and the 1860 Army.  I have my eye on the old Uberti Walker that I first bought in 1975, and in a weak moment, sold.  but I have heard that it is again up for sale, and I intend to grab it.  Then, another Walker to match, and I have the main ingredients.  I'm glad you brought up the subject.

[Thomas (Tom) Horn aka James Hicks]

G-Law-
I am waiting on the arrival of the JW Jacket (vest???) should be here next week.  After I have all the stuff I will post some pictures showing the costume.  My hat is new along with all the rest of the stuff.  But I did not order the hat to have the sweat and trail dust added... I figure as hot as it gets here in Tennessee it won't take long for the hat to get the sweat stains and dirt ...laugh.  The only thing I wont have will be the 31 cal Wells Fargo pocket pistol.  I will pass on that one... but all the other stuff will be duplicating what Eastwood had. Tomorrow I am taking all of the Walkers and army 60's and the Rem '58 to test them on the targets. I figure 60 grs in the Walkers will get folks attention on the pistol targets. Will shoot the army 60's at the rifle targets using 30 grs., and the Rem 58 for the shotgun KD's using 30 grs. I use .457" lead balls in all of the revolvers, no wads, no grease over the bullets, powder in, seat the bullet, cap the cylinders (just like the boys in gray and blue did) and then watch for a lot of smoke and fire.... Should be a hoot and hollor.

[rbertalotto]

I bought my JW jacket from a fellow down in north or south carolina if I remember correctly. It is a real good reproduction right down to the rawhide roll straps!

I wear my holsters over it like JW but I've yet to use my Walkers. I use Colt 1860 conversion with it.

[Slowhand Bob]

That is the way I would play also, my Walker and Dragoon model were sold last year.  I do still have a pair of the small .31 Dragoons though.

[Thomas (Tom) Horn aka James Hicks]

Here is the follow-up for the Josey Wales gun rig... all the costume parts have arrived, below are pictures of the costume... unfortunately I do not have Eastwood's good looks...laugh.