Help With Thread for Re-Stitching an Old Holster Needed

[MikeM.]

I just came into possession of a nice old Mexican double loop holster, The leather is still quite pliable but the stitching has gone in a few places. This isn't a big name holster, looks like a catalog or hardware store one to me, so I am wanting to re-stitch it because the holes are all fine. My question is can anybody recommend a thread that would be authentic and period correct (probably early 1900s)? The holes are kinda small so I need a finer thread I'm thinking. I'm guessing cotton linen??

[Mogorilla]

Waxed linen.  It comes in different sizes, so i would gauge it by the holes.   You can get it prewaxed or get linen thread and run it through a chunk of beeswax. 

[MikeM.]

All I see is pretty large gauge. The holes are small, much smaller than current made old west type holsters, so that is why I was asking so maybe I could get a suggestion and source of where to buy.

[Major 2]

I use Artificial Deer Sinew Waxed Flat Thread

 https://www.amazon.com/waxed-artificial-sinew/s?k=waxed+artificial+sinew

You can pull it to a finer thread, the stuff is very strong.

If the Artificial concerned you, remember the waxed Cotten is 85% or less cotton too.


 

[MikeM.]

I won't be using this holster, just thought I would fix it. Gonna make a pattern from it first

[Mogorilla]

Look for embroidery thread, it too can be split to thinner and just have a chunk of beeswax.  Any craft store/fabric store should be able to help you out.

[Coffinmaker]

  Hey There   I'm not a leather worker.  Never have been.  Never stayed in a Holiday Inn Express neither.  But iffin you need really fine stuff, I'd suggest your local fabric store and look/ask for "Carpet" thread.  Tough Stuff and lotsa colours you betcha.

[St. George]

Of course, you 'could' try going to Tandy's...

Scouts Out!

[MikeM.]

Right, I was hoping somebody on here would pretty much know what most old holsters were sewn with as far as thread size

[St. George]

Waxed linen.

On a Mexican 'Buscadero', you can pretty much use any thread - upholstery/carpet thread would be good enough, due to strength - outside of movies and television, they weren't exactly working rigs - just affordable ones that replicated what was seen on the screen - and for most folks, that was good enough.

Scouts Out!

[Cliff Fendley]

You probably want some 5 cord linen, it matches most old holsters and such in my collection from that period. I mostly use 5 cord Barbour's Red Hand Linen for ones I want to be authentic to the period. I'm not sure you can still get that brand but I've also used the other Campbell Randall Linen, I get mine from Campbell Bosworth.

[MikeM.]

Thank you Cliff !!! I knew somebody would know !!Do you wax it or does it come already waxed ? Thanks to everybody who posted in this thread but this is actually what I was looking for , a name, a size , and where to get it .

[Graveyard Jack]

A picture would be good.

[MikeM.]

I'm not smart enough or computer savvy enough to post any