Holster?

[Marc Adamchek]

A flintlock pistol, you know what it looks like. About a 9 inch barrel, rounded hook handle, look at a MUZZLELOADER cover depicting a mountain man, one will be shoved crossdraw behind his sash.

Any documentation on whether any of these ever have holsters?

 

[LaBonte]

Colonel Dodge 1834 from George Catlin - note the holstered pistols

a couple of original holsters dated circa 1840

 

[crockett]

Is that a reverse image or is that really a left side lock on Dodge's rifle?
And the hat, another fairly high crown with a flat top. It seems to me at least similar hats are shown a lot.

 

[LaBonte]

Is that a reverse image or is that really a left side lock on Dodge's rifle?

I've actually come to believe that it is a double rifle perhaps - not common but not unknown for the time and place either
My reasoning:
The left hand lock and the cheek piece - a dbl smooth bore wouldn't generally have a cheekpiece and if a single barrel left-hand rifle the cheekpiece would/should normally be on the other side. There is at least one known American long rifle with a left-hand lock on a right hand rifle so it would not be impossible for it to be a singeel barrel rifle.

The hat is a pretty typical topper of the period. Toppers first appeared circa 1790 IIRC and by the 1830's were common wear for men especially those of the higher classes.

 

[PreserveFreedom]

Track of the Wolf sells one HERE. I am not sure how well the fit on the pistol is though.

 

[Marc Adamchek]

LaBonte, THANKS SO MUCH for the images and info you shared. Exactly what I was hoping I'd get to see.

And as I whimsically thought, the cross-draw seems like it was de riguer with the leather as well. It does make sense ergonomically.

Swampy, I hope you're gettin' all this down!

 

[Marc Adamchek]

LaBonte - I'm in complete agreement re:Col Dodge's longgun being a double.

Up until almost a year ago I would have also agreed that it was a double rifle due to the cheek "swell". However, last October I acquired a nice old Westley Richards 12 bore double shotgun with a cheekpiece on the left side.

Just when I thought I knew something definite about old guns I suddenly learned I didn't. happens all the time!