Revolver holsters

[Dale Lilly]

Can someone show me types of holsters that would accompany revolvers before 1865? I have the guns, I have holsters. I am not aware of proper holster types for my guns. Thanks. Dale

 

[nick_1]

the union revolvers would have been in a flap holster. not sure what civilians used? most likly a flap holster with the flap cut off.

 

[Griff093]

This is what I carry my 1851s in: 1849 “Californian” Holster – El Paso Saddlery baack when I got mine they didn't do the sewn-in toe plug.

 

[Dale Lilly]

This is what I carry my 1851s in: 1849 “Californian” Holster – El Paso Saddlery baack when I got mine they didn't do the sewn-in toe plug.

View attachment 246327

Thanks Griff093. That is helpful. I may have several that will work. I bought them as group and knew little about them. Dale

 

[nick_1]

I have a slim Jim I bought on Esty.

 

[Ballshooter]

I got a Big Texas leather works holster for my 1851 navy Off etsy love it. Can ware it as a cross draw or strong side has two belts loops.

 

[GYJ]

Civilians used mostly California pattern holsters.

 

[Tacitus]

Among civilians the California or SlimJim, and also the military flap holster with or without the flap. The SlimJim was quite popular because it could be readily constructed by the user from the shaft of a worn out boot. The one pictured incorporates features from both civilian and military. The snug and tailored fit of a SlimJim with the military style coverage of the trigger along with a remnant of the flap retained as a barrier between the revolver and the wearer. A functional and comfortable design.

 

[Cubreac]

There's a very good book called PACKING IRON, Gunleather of the Frontier West by Richard C. Rattenbury (Zon International Publishing Co., 1993, ISBN 0939549085). It's out of print, and if you can find it for under $100, then buy it because it regularly goes for over $200.

 

[Dale Lilly]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your responses. Polecat

 

[M. De Land]

Can someone show me types of holsters that would accompany revolvers before 1865? I have the guns, I have holsters. I am not aware of proper holster types for my guns. Thanks. Dale

I like the Union holster for percussion guns as no other design I'm aware of protects them against the elements as well. They work great for storing them as well keeping the guns free of dings and dents.

 

[montezuma]

I got a Big Texas leather works holster for my 1851 navy Off etsy love it. Can ware it as a cross draw or strong side has two belts loops.

I added the leather thong on the holster that I made for my revolver like yours. I like it.

 

[GYJ]

I've done a handful of flaps and half flaps.

 

[M. De Land]

I've done a handful of flaps and half flaps.

Very nice work!

 

[dickydalton]

This is some of GYJ's work for my Goonerized 1861 Colt 2nd Gen.

 

[Trinidad Bill]

Very nice work!

Ditto, very nice work. Do you have a URL?

 

[RMH]

Simple unlined SlimJim that I finished this morning for my 1851 Navy.

 

[CaptainVane]

Full flap on for all mine, protect against traveling damage. I have one western style but it barely gets used.

 

[BillinOregon]

Finished the stitching last evening, then wet-formed again overnight. Still have to sand and then rub down the edges, but these aren't that hard to do if you have a sharp knife, a manilla folder for patternmaking and some 9-ounce vegetable-tanned leather lying around. It has been so long since I did the last one that I made some errors in the decoration, but no matter. It'll look fine from the next county over.
P.S. As Piperdally mentioned, it never hurts to have a copy of Rattenbury's "Packing Iron" in the house.