Leather weight

[Holsterguy]

Hi all! Hope this finds y'all well.
Quick question. Has anyone measured the weight of leather of an original civil war belt holster? I saw one once at a gun show, but didn't actually handle it. Looked like maybe 6-7 oz.?
Thanks

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That's a good question. I don't know the answer to it. Perhaps some of the pards on the CAS City Historical Society forum can give you some information on that. If you find out, please post that information back here.

[Coffinmaker]

  I would like to apply an addendum to the above inquiry please   

Notice the skillful imitation of Professor Marvel there   

Following having to acquire an amount of leather for a project, and knowing nothing about same, just what exactly does the "Weight" of leather actually measure or indicate or mean??  And if it were an already cut and assembled item of interest, wouldn't you have to "Weigh" the whole thing??  And just exactly what does a Henweigh??

Hyde and Watch

[Major 2]

"Hyde and Watch" .... ha ! I get it   

I have an original CW holster the "Weight" or thickness is just under 7 OZ @ .107
I have another partial in that the lower 2 " and plug are missing but has a nice Gaylord cartouche 


I purchase one of these for my shop some years ago

https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Range-Measuring-Resolution-Thickness/dp/B073TQ4CCN/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&hvadid=77927955739914&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=leather+thickness+guage&qid=1595084390&sr=8-3&tag=mh0b-20

[Capt Quirk]

All I know about leather weight is, that 3oz leather is about as thick as a penny. I actually use a stack of pennies to guesstimate weight. I also discovered, that a dime and a nickle don't equal 15ozs.

[Holsterguy]

Major- thanks a lot!
Coffinmaker- as an example, 4 oz leather is 1/16" thick, 8 oz is 1/8", etc. One ounce is equivalent to 1/64 of an inch. Hope this helps some.

[Coffinmaker]

OK .. OK .. OK.  I get It. 

No I don't.  It has nothing do with actual "weight" does it.  It's sorta like measuring Black Powder by "Weight" or by "Volume" .. Right??  Another one of those "Chicken or the Egg" things.  Harrumph.

Hyde and Watch 

[Capt Quirk]

Maybe this will help... Leather is actually measured by "irons". I have no idea how that works either. Just use the pennies.

[Professor Marvel]

  I would like to apply an addendum to the above inquiry please   

Notice the skillful imitation of Professor Marvel there   

Following having to acquire an amount of leather for a project, and knowing nothing about same, just what exactly does the "Weight" of leather actually measure or indicate or mean??  And if it were an already cut and assembled item of interest, wouldn't you have to "Weigh" the whole thing??  And just exactly what does a Henweigh??

Hyde and Watch

Why Coffin - that is quite admirable, try not to swell my head any further LOL

Major- thanks a lot!
Coffinmaker- as an example, 4 oz leather is 1/16" thick, 8 oz is 1/8", etc. One ounce is equivalent to 1/64 of an inch. Hope this helps some.

I like Holsterguy's method... at least it makes some sense.

[1961MJS]

Hi
Tandy sells a deal with a v-shaped slot in it.  The further in it goes, the lower the leather's weight.  Under $10 if memory serves.  I use it quite a bit.

Later

[Trailrider]

IIRC, leather was originally measured by the weight per square foot.  The problem with that is that the moisture content of the leather can vary considerably.  So the "weight" was standardized at 1 oz = 1/64 in. Thus 8 oz leather should be 1/8" thick.  But it is very difficult to have a side of leather to be shaved evenly from shoulder to belly.  So, leather is generally given a rating range.  Thus: 8-9 oz., 6-7 oz., etc. I have found it best to actually measure the thickness, as sometimes, whoever grades the leather can be a bit off.  I generally use Tandy veg-tanned leather, and have sometimes found what is called "6-7 oz" may be 7-8 oz or 5-6 oz. For that reason, I use a vernier calipers on the shoulder area when selecting individual sides.

[Coffinmaker]

So.  If after careful measurement and trimming to size, if you can't get your piece of leather to form around your Rifle Barrel, It weighs too much and must diet??   

My next question, I thought cows grew hide to a certain thickness.  Does that mean if you want thin leather, you have to go find a cow that grew a really thin skin??  For thick leather you go find a Big "ole mean Bull??

What came first.  The Chicken or The Egg.  Like, how many Roofers does it take to roof a House??    Well just one iffy you slice him really thin   

[Capt Quirk]

They shave the hide to the desired thickness.

[Johnny McCrae]

Here are pictures of a measuring tool that a friend gave to me several years ago. He used to design Wallets for a large leather products company.

I have no idea how old this item is.

This is a copy of a post I made several years ago. I'm going check if I brought this with me to Florida

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That's a mighty fine tool, John. It would be a cool item to have.