Classic Cowboy Holsters, Belts Take Shapes to Fill Their Tasks
by R.K. Campbell
Contributing Editor
When revolvers made the move from cap and ball designs to fixed centerfire cartridges, holsters underwent a revolution unlike any before or since. The simple Slim Jim, a pouch, or carrying the handgun in a tightly woven sash was no longer acceptable.
There were profound differences in cartridge handguns reflected in holster design. First, the handgun’s gun load no longer had to be as well protected from the elements. The fixed centerfire metallic cartridge was far more resistant to the elements than the previous loose load of cap, powder and ball.
Also, a large belt could carry the revolver’s fixed cartridges in properly sized loops. These gun belts carried a considerable ammunition supply, all that was needed in day-to-day use or even a protracted gun battle. Solders carried their ammunition in leather pouches but cowboys and lawmen carried their cartridges on belts. This practice survived practically 100 years, with my generation being among the last peace officers to carry cartridges on the belt in leather loops.
The first cowboy holsters, known as Slim Jims, were similar to military holsters. In fact, for many years, the most common holster on the frontier was a military holster with the flap cut off. These served well enough, but as time went by other designs were developed that were both more practical and more attractive. When cartridge belts came into use, the wider belts demanded a holster large enough to loop over the belt.
The holster that solved most problems of the cowboy was the Mexican Loop. This was a quality holster cut from a single piece of heavy leather. The Mexican Loop holster featured a wide loop that went over a belt, and a rear skirt left full to protect not only the gun and holster but the cowboy’s britches from excess wear from a flapping holster. This proved to be an excellent design and saw wide use well into the 20th century. Canadian forces used the Mexican Loop holster during the Boer War, with double-action Colt .44-40 revolvers.
The holster featured a loop that passed from the rear skirt over the holster, keeping the holster steady when the gun was drawn. Some of the loops were separate from the skirting, and sewn over the holster and into the backing, depending upon the preference of the maker and his customers. The holsters were open top designs, with the opening often featuring a cutaway portion for quick access to the trigger guard. The bottom of the holster was most often sewn shut, in order to protect the barrel of the revolver from damage or plugging with dirt.
The holsters were molded tightly, and while they did not have a friction fit they were molded to fit a specific handgun. There will be many types of back skirts found. Some extend halfway down the holsters while others are full skirts; more than one such holster will be seen practically framed in the skirt as it is much larger than the holster.
As time went on, holsters tended to be slimmer and lighter. Many holsters were produced in a certain part of the country and became known for that region, such as the Cheyenne. Makers became well known for quality rigs. It was possible to identify a cowboy’s origin by his leather gear, at least by the practiced observer. Among the most conversant of modern experts in the history and identification of western holsters is Rich Bachman of Old West Reproductions in Florence, MT. Bachman produces accurate reproductions of period holsters.
When we look at the early holsters, we find that many were stitched with heavy rawhide. Some were fairly simple affairs as might be expected of a workingman’s holster. Others were beautifully carved with extensive designs. Later, simpler border stamps were the sole adornment of hard-use holsters. The maker’s stamp might be prominent or it might be practically hidden, depending upon the maker and the user’s likes, but most of the holsters seen will have some form of identification of the maker. Toward the end of the Western era holsters began to appear with machine stitching and even machine stamping. Basket weave and the now seldom seen fish scale designs were common. Conchos and nickel studs were popular as well.
An important holster that reflected the move toward modern holsters was the Threepersons, sometimes called the Half Breed. Tom Threepersons, a well known Native American peace officer, was among the first to take the basic Mexican Loop and redesign it into a usable general purpose holster. He cut all unnecessary leather away from the holster and cut it down into a holster that was not only fast on the draw but could be carried comfortably under a suit coat. The Threepersons holster is an authentic Western holster that proved quite popular just after World War II.
It is interesting to note that many of the gunfights that took place in small Western towns were settled with pretty ordinary pistols, including the Colt Single Action Army (SAA). The Colt was relatively compact for the power it exhibited and felt good in the hand. It was fast on target and offered good accuracy at combat ranges. For this reason the SAA survived well past the introduction of the double-action revolver and even the semi-auto pistol.
For those wishing to own a historically accurate holster, there are several makers who will produce a truly authentic holster that is made of modern materials. In other words, it will be considerably better treated and longer lasting than anything the cowboys owned. For the rest of us, a good solid design that offers a sharp draw is more than adequate. Numerous makers offer beautifully made holsters that match the engraving and stitching of anything available in the Old West.
In my opinion this is the golden age of Western holster making. With the growing popularity of Cowboy Action shooting, many makers are kept busy building Western rigs for serious competitors. At the same time, more than a few of us simply enjoy owning and using Western gear and take considerable pride in owning a well made Western holster. Whatever your choice, you can rest assured the modern holster makers will supply a first class rig of good materials.
Other Holsters
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Western holster is available to fit a number of handguns. For some years, makers have offered Western-style holsters to fit the Colt 1911 auto. Interestingly, Dennis Yoder offers a Mexican Loop style holster for modern double-action magnums that is one of his more popular styles. This holster offers good looks and excellent finish. It is as good a field holster as ever. The Mexican Loop offers such a good area for embellishment it is only natural that the type should be used in special presentation holsters.
However, there are other holsters available for the single-action revolver that are very practical in their own way. As an example, Yoder also offers an inside the waistband design for the many modern shooters who prefer carrying the single-action revolver for personal defense. I sometimes carry my .44-40 Navy Arms revolver in just such a holster. It is comfortable and conceals the light and handy single-action revolver well.
A very highly developed special purpose holster comes from Silver Eye. This holster is designed for use in fast draw competition. Quite simply, this is among the best made and fitted holsters I have ever handled, as well as one of the most robust. It presents the revolver butt at the perfect angle for a rapid draw. It is not historically accurate and is a special purpose holster, but Silver Eye also offers excellent Mexican Loop holsters. The Fast Draw is for fast draw competition, and it is among the best of the breed. Their Fast Draw rig is brilliantly fabricated of the best material and wonderfully stitched in a manner to make any saddle-maker proud. It is a winning holster and one that is owned by numerous interested shooters who may or may not be involved in fast draw. The rig generates pride of ownership and that is worth the price. It is the centerpiece of my western holster collection.
For practical day-to-day use I own numerous examples of the most modern holsters. When armed professionally, I carry my custom .45 in a top-of-the-line holster accompanied by a dual magazine carrier. But on my own time, for enjoyment, there is nothing I like more than breaking out a good single-action revolver and Western holster. To say they have stood the test of time is an understatement. I own not a single original period holster but I have examined many. The modern maker offers good holsters at a fair price, and anyone should be satisfied with his wares.
Resources
John Bianchi
Frontier Gun Leather
PO Box 2038, Dept. GWK
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Rich Bachman
Old West Reproductions
446 S. Florence Loop, Dept. GWK
Florence, MT 59833
Murphy Manufacturing
7635A Hwy 65, Dept. GWK
Evansville, IN 47720
Tom Hancock/Texas Gunfighter
PO Box 71861, Dept. GWK
Arlington, TX 76003
DeSantis
431 Bayview Ave., Dept. GWK
Amityville, NY 11701
Shooting Star Saddlery
7980 Battle Butte Rd., Dept. GWK
Niarda, MT 59845
Griffin Gunleather
Distributor
Jeff and Jeanne Stone
Middletown, OH
Silver Eye
7173 California Blvd., NE, Dept. GWK
Calgary, AB Canada TIT 6WI
El Paso Saddlery
2025 E Yandell, Dept. GWK
El Paso, TX 79903
Leftys Leather
PO Box 1654, Dept. GWK
Upland, CA 91785
San Pedro Saddlery
Box 542, Dept. GWK
Tombstone, AZ 856
Bill Weaver
Guns Leather and Etc
PO Box 117, Dept. GWK
Colbert , OK 74733
Liberty Leather
PO Box 1563, Dept. GWK
Cleveland, TX 77328
Dennis Yoder
525 Williams St., Dept. GWK
Hamburg, PA 19526
Wiley’s
7007 VZ Country Rd., 2120, Dept. GWK
Wills Point, TX 75169
