Flintlock Pistol Holster?

The Pennsylvania Gazette
October 16, 1782
A ROBBERY
SIXTY DOLLARS Reward. BROKE into the house of the subscriber... three men.... all armed with pistols, one remarkable long in a belt hung over the shoulder.

Spence

I would think that mountain men had some type of pistol holster in the early 19th century... but I guess I don't know, Google has been no help for me.

How would French or English officers have carried a pistol? Besides on their horse.

Also, I spoke to The Leatherman on the phone today, he did not think that the Pedersoli French AN IX would fit the holster he makes and sells on his website or Dixiegunworks. He suggested maybe the Howdah double barreled pistol holster might work, but that it may be too big. Does anyone have a Howdah pistol that could give me some measurements to compare? Thank you all.

Excellent find Spence!

Nope.

hulk said:

I would think that mountain men had some type of pistol holster in the early 19th century... but I guess I don't know, Google has been no help for me.

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I'm afraid I can't be of much help there. I've looked at a fair number of period artist illustrations and there don't seem to be many belt holsters at all. Research into merchant lists for rendezvous' and at trading posts would give some idea of the ratio of men who just had a long gun and those who had a pistol to go along with it.

The earliest I know of belt holsters becoming common were in the Gold Rush days and at least two major leather workers in San Francisco were making them there in the very early 1850's, but mainly for revolvers. There is evidence some belt holsters were made for the earlier Patterson revolvers, but that is outside the area I'm interested in, so can't go into any details.

I have wondered for years if/that the revolver was more responsible for wider/common usage of belt holsters, because of the fairly light weight for the firepower

hulk said:

How would French or English officers have carried a pistol? Besides on their horse.

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Officers indeed carried them in braces (pairs) in saddle holsters. When Infantry Officers needed their single shot pistols and they were on foot - they held a pistol in one hand, the other pistol stuck in their belt/sash and the other hand for using the sword. Many Infantry Officers actually only carried one pistol in their hand or stuck in their belt/sash until close to the time they actually needed them. However, if they were not actually close to going into combat, the Officers would leave the pistols in the saddle holsters or in their tents or quarters.

hulk said:

Also, I spoke to The Leatherman on the phone today, he did not think that the Pedersoli French AN IX would fit the holster he makes and sells on his website or Dixiegunworks. He suggested maybe the Howdah double barreled pistol holster might work, but that it may be too big. Does anyone have a Howdah pistol that could give me some measurements to compare? Thank you all.

Click to expand...

Good for you! Though I'm sure you found the information disappointing, making the call sure saved you more grief, had you bought the holster and then found out it didn't fit.

If you cannot find a belt holster to fit your pistol and you still want one, we can give you some tips to make your own with a thread in the Craftsman section of the forum, should you be interested.

Gus

Artificer said:

Many Infantry Officers actually only carried one pistol in their hand or stuck in their belt/sash until close to the time they actually needed them.

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Specific descriptions of such details are scarce in my reading. Here's my favorite, about John Paul Jones in the battle of the Bonhomme Richard and the Serapis.

THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE 3
February 19, 1780
LONDON, October 1. Extract of a letter from Scarborough,

"Jones fought in a sailors frock and trowsers, with a large girdle round his waist, in which hung twelve pistols, and a large cutlass in his hand."

Spence

Spence,

That is very interesting bit of documentation.

Since Jones was not big enough to have worn a dozen pistols around his waist, that may/probably means they were also taking about some kind of bandoleer for the pistols.

Gus

I got this one from Leatherman, IIRC, and it is super. Been some years back.

Yes that is the same one I was looking at getting. The Leatherman didn't seem to think it would be big enough for any larger "tower" style or large caliber smoothbore pistols. Could you by chance give any measurements of your holsterms and pistol so I can compare to the Pedersoli French AN IX?

Hi Hulk

I also have the one Hanshi posted above. It seems to fit all the large variety of flint pistols I have, including the French AN XIII and the full stocked Belgium pistols of the early 1800's with more robust stocks. But the frizzen has to be in the closed position, and the hammer at half-cock. But it works.

If you want more of the lock covered, you'll have to have something made. Another option would be a shoulder carry. Could be made for one or two pistols. While these were more popular in the Eastern markets, it is believed they were originally of European origin. Just another option.

Rick

Not much historical evidence of flint pistol's holsters, most carried in sash or saddles. I've found f/l pistols more safety/hassle than worth to carry afield. Nifty idea but not practical.

FWIW, I'd carry a f/l pistol in my haversack or large hunting pouch, loaded with powder & ball, unprimed, uncocked, frizzen forward.

LOL

Makes one realize how practical the belt hook really was for flint pistols. And probably still the best way for carry.

Here are a couple more examples...

Nice looking rig, although for a percussion pistol, which looks like a Kentucky style, from the Federal period.

The other is obviously styled as a saddle holster for a flint pistol, but was later converted for belt carry, as evidenced by the belt loop. This would be an interesting option.

Rick

ricky said:

The other is obviously styled as a saddle holster for a flint pistol, but was later converted for belt carry, as evidenced by the belt loop. This would be an interesting option.

Rick

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GREAT example! The Saddler or Leatherworker, who originally made that holster, used butt seam construction going down the length of the holster. That required curved a curved awl or at least curved needles as did adding the leather "plug" at the end of the holster.

An advanced amateur can do this today, thanks to the tools and information on how to do it are readily available, but in the period, I think it is a pretty safe bet it was professionally made.

REALLY appreciate you posting this image. :thumbsup:

Gus

I was watching an episode of “Death Valley Days” this evening. The program was from 1959. It showed a Spanish California military officer wearing a holster similar to yours, crossdraw, with a flintlock pistol inside the holster.

Just sayin... :idunno:

I ended up employing a local leather worker to make me a holster nearly identical to the one made by The Leatherman but sized to fit the larger lock of my pistol. Turned out nicely I think. Crossdraw, 45 degree cant and it covers the lock.

Good for you. Let us know how it works in use.

Gus

never mind. already covered.

hulk said:

Recently purchased a Pedersoli French AN IX pistol. I know these were typically "horse" pistols and would have been in a holster or scabbard across the pommel or something but how would have a mountain man/trapper carried a pistol on his person? Just tucked in a belt or sash? Or did they make or have leather holsters? I searched the forum with little luck. Thank you for any insight.

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Before I start meandering off and post a few pictures, I thought a look at the original post would be in order.

Mountain men and trappers most likely would not have carried a pistol. They may have one in their gear at camp, but when you are slogging through beaver ponds a pistol would be in the way and certainly the probability that it would get wet and non-functioning would take a lot of the charm out of carrying one. Normal carry around camp would be tucked in their sash or if it had a hook, then hooked to the belt.

Back in the east and in towns, a pistol would be more likely to be carried. A belt holster makes sense to keep fouling off clothes.

I bought a nice flintlock pistol. The style is along the lines of a Kentucky pistol. Maker is unknown. It came with a holster that was made for it.


The holster is made from a single piece of leather wrapped around the gun with a long edge folded over to make a belt loop. An insert at the muzzle gives some shape and roundness to the holster.


A deep slot is built to include the lock in either half cock or hammer down.



It wouldn't be unduly hard to make a similar holster for the Pedersoli French AN IX pistol.

Hi Mike

Now that's a good idea for a belt carry holster. Allows you to carry with the lock in any position. Neat idea.

Rick

And one more option......

I had shis shoulder carry boot made primarily to carry the 17th Century pistols with longer barrels and the heavy wheelock pistols. Mounts on your back and out of the way. Just one of my "different" ideas
:haha:

Rick