Collections

[Major 2]

I heard from Scott Tollefson scott@fatmanleather.com
and he said...

I did some extra research on these holsters to answer a few questions.
The texture on your holster is obviously worn, which is quite normal. I
can make a replacement strap and install it, but it will look like it
has been replaced, despite my best efforts to make it look original. I
usually make a few of them and try different techniques to get the best
match.

My shop labor rate is $65 per hour plus return shipping, this will take
about an hour.


Sadly with the extra issues the holster has, I see 3-4 hours labor maybe more, and that puts it into a fool's folly. 

[Major 2]

I think I may be better off, shadow boxing this holster as is.
But before I do make an exact pattern and duplicate the holster.
You can see where the retention strap was originally sewn into the main seam.

Here it is after Skidmore's,

I think the leather is Pig skin judging by the graining (your thoughts ? in any of my conclusions)
I think it about 7 oz and have no idea where I might find about a sq ft of hide ?

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Sounds like a simple plan. Either way, the holster is a very cool one. Congrats.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I think I may be better off, shadow boxing this holster as is.
But before I do make an exact pattern and duplicate the holster.
You can see where the retention strap was originally sewn into the main seam.

Here it is after Skidmore's,

I think the leather is Pig skin judging by the graining (your thoughts ? in any of my conclusions)
I think it about 7 oz and have no idea where I might find about a sq ft of hide ?

From what I can see it does look like the strap was stitched into the main seam rather than on top of it. For a replacement, that would mean undoing the seam at least to that point. From a shadowbox standpoint, you might be able to make a strap and tuck it behind the holster after wet molding a tight bend into it so it gives the appearance of being attached.

It does look like pigskin. I have no idea where you could get a square foot of it unless you find a shop that uses it and can get a scrap from them.

The Skidmore's sure did wonders for it.

[Major 2]

That's an option, simulate the strap.
  I had no plan to carry the pistol in the original, but it might be cool to have a replica of it.

I wonder if The Leather Guy has Pig Skin 
I have emailed him to see     sales@theleatherguy.org

[Marshal Will Wingam]

A replica would be really nice. I hope you will be successful with The Leather Guy. Get enough for a holster and there should be enough for a strap on the original.

[Major 2]

Well yeah, don't forget the mag pouch has to come out of whatever they might have too.

I did make an offer on a neat vintage holster which is mis-described on eBay.
Seller stated it's for a S&W revolver...clearly it is European Military CZ-52 Pistol w/ a magazine pouch.   
It is pebble grained and appear in good cond. and has a cleaning rod.

Offer accepted 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Well yeah, don't forget the mag pouch has to come out of whatever they might have too.

I did make an offer on a neat vintage holster which is mis-described on eBay.
Seller stated it's for a S&W revolver...clearly it is European Military small semi-auto w/ a magazine pouch.   
It is pebble grained and appear in good cond. and has a cleaning rod.

Offer accepted 

Very good. I look forward to photos when you get it. Have you identified what it is for yet?

[Major 2]

CZ-52 pistol holster...for $20 I could not be Happier

You can actually see the ghosted shape in this photo.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Now that's a good deal! Beautiful leather in it. Congratulations.

[Major 2]

This what I want to put in it 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That Tokarev will be right at home in it. What caliber are those? 10MM?

[Major 2]

7.62×25mm Tokarev... It is a derivative of Mauser's C-96 round w/ a hotter load.

On the left is the round I load for my C-96 and on the right for the Tokarev

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That's probably a good performing load.

[Major 2]

The Tokarev can shoot the rounds I load for the C 96 and seem to cycle OK
But I won't shoot the hotter Tok round in the C 96.
Note: I use hi tec bullets for the C 96 and jacketed for the Tokarev.

[Hair Trigger Jim]

That looked like cast vs jacketed.  Easy way to tell them apart.

[Major 2]

Yes Sir, Hitec coated cast from Penn Bullets

[Major 2]

I've opted to try making a replica of the Sauer holster. I fabricated a pattern without any harm to the original.
I picked up some 7oz Pebble grained leather, it was prefinished and frankly some too glossy.
So, I used rubbing Isopropyl Alcohol and removed to gloss and rubbed some farther to get a patina.

Isopropyl Alcohol works a trick on alcohol based dyes.
   

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That leather will make a good looking holster. I look forward to seeing your progress on it.

[Major 2]

Yeah, it's real close (the original texture is pretty flattened out) and I'm also within a hue or two of the color  .

I have the belt loops sewn on and half of the Mag pouch, "Authur somebody" set in and hand was sore to continue this evening. *
I noted on the original, the belt loops originally were sewn on (rivets were an old repair I assume)

* after supper I felt bronco-ish  and completed the Mag pouch, main seam tomorrow