LITLHOF

Hi Everyone: My sister bought a stainless LadySmith 357 with about a 3" barrel. If anyone has a pattern or can tell where to get I sure would appreciate it. Thanks. Littlhof.

Just beautiful. Walt Rollison/Litlhof.

Hey Hidebanger: I live in Seymour, just about as far north and as far west as you can get and still be in Sevier County. I really haven't done any leather work much for years and we disposed of all our stock when we closed. My oldest daughter,who sold all her horses some time back, decided she wanted an old McClellen saddle that had been in the family for years. I have been a woodworker all of my life and have made several saddle horses, but never one for a McClellen. I made a very narrow horse and put an old slouch hat my mother had given me years ago to add to the display. Then I figured I hadn't shot my 50 caliber Hawken for at least 20 years, so I threw that in. It was in a fringed suede case with a little bit of bead work on it. That didn't look quite right leaning up against the saddle, so I thought I'd make a scabbard. I looked through all my Civil War collectors books, but didn'see a single scabbard, so I just made one up. Scabbards used by cavalry as depicted in the movies run the gamit from simple tubes to flapped cases, mounted for or aft and on any side. My girl said she would want it on her left side. I mounted it with swivel snaps and straps stitched to the scabbard. Guess what, I've got to cinch the belly band, because the saddle tips to the left. The case has no decoration other than a US symbol in an oval that I tooled. The whole thing is too crude to take a picture of, but it did get my interest up a liitle. That's the whole shootin' match except for an original Serpent buckle, an authentic Mississippi enlisted man's dress buckle, that I had made a pigskin belt for years ago. I laid that belt on the saddle bags. I printed up a museum style note giving the history of our saddle. Since we had a Mississippi Flag that was carried through the entire Civil War Centennial(1960-1965) . My girl wants the flag rolled up on its pole in a cover and mounted on a pedestal. I guess I'll have to make a case for the flag, with straps, and turn a very heavy base for the pole. I've got a good piece of persimmon that should do the trick. All the best, Litlhof

Hey Hidebanger: Litlhof here. Louise and I closed our shop in PF when Dolly bought into Silver Dollar City, I think that was in '86. In other words I'm a geezer who's been out of the business for a long time. Anyhow, As you go West on I 40/75 through Knoxville, take the West Hills exit and turn right. You will be at West town Mall. Get in the inside lane and continue west until you go past Red Lobster and you will see an O'Charley's on your left. This is at the corner of Kingston Pike and Downtown West Boulevard , turn left onto Downtown West Blvd and continue for about two blocks. Turn right into the parking lot of this large strip mall and when you get up near the shops turn left and continue until you see Tandy. This is one of the best stocked that I have seen for a long time. Give them a call at (865) 560-2789. Best regards.