Brokenolmarine

A look at the middle of the gunbelt where the cartridge loops ride: and of course the holster end. Once the edge dressing hits the mailbox, I'll post a final set of pics, but it's basically finished. It's been a great learning experience and I learned a lot from all the YouTube Vids and the practical application of the skills shared there. Next build I'll do some tooling and perhaps some inlays, something a bit more fancy. Surprised to discover the holster shrunk dramatically when it fully dried. It was a chore to get the Uberti to seat fully AND to draw from the rig. I'll soak the holster a bit then bag the gun and fit it back in the holster to stretch it back out and let it dry with the gun in place to form fit the pair. Hopefully this will cure that issue. Watch the space for a later update.

Back out this morning after breakfast and knocked out the sewing duties. Then stained the areas that showed raw leather from the holes. Added the decorative loop at the bottom of the sheath, and burnished the edges. Fitted the sheath to the gunbelt, then the holster. We are basically done until the edge dressing I ordered comes in. A long view of the completed project: Here is a close up view of the Sheath End:

Got a lot done in the afternoon. Got the snaps done, the retention strap sewn in place and the front glued on. Just need to trim and burnish the edges and sew down the front panel and the belt loop panel on the back. I got the burnishing done, and sewed down the front this evening, then started on the belt loop, then the boss called and told me dinner was ready. Shut it down and headed in. It was COLD out, in the mid 20s, wind blowing and DARK out already. I will not be heading back out. I'll finish up in the morning, or even after lunch. NO rush. Looking good so far.... Not perfect by a long shot, but not bad for a first attempt at the western rig.

Several sessions. Got a good bit done. I have gotten some of the assembly done, and gotten two coats of dye on and a coat of neatsfoot oil on to restore the flexibility. I burnished the edges of the loop and upper portion of the sheath body, and the retention strap. The sheath body will be burnished after assembly. This portion was not without a stutter here and there, but I used the part I messed up. Take a look at the far right. The tooled piece was the sheath body, but ... oops. Cut off the top portion and will use that for the belt loop. LOL. Getting close to having this done... will antique the tooling on the sheath body and upper sheath, as well as the retention strap, then apply a finish and the snaps for the strap. Glue up, then sew the belt loop and the sheath body. Boom. Sew around the edge of the sheath body... Couple coats of wax...

Next I went to work. I cut out each piece, then cut out two pieces of the wedge shape when test fitting showed I'd need extra. Test fitting let me mark where adjustments would be needed to the parts I had cut out. I marked and then tooled the front and back panels, while they dried, I skived the wedges so they would work. Got a lot done, but still plenty to go. Tomorrow I will recheck my work, and I'll also cut out the belt loop for the back of the back panel, as well as the front strap that will secure the knife to the sheath, and tool that. I am in no rush as I can't glue up the project until AFTER the concho is installed and I am waiting for those to arrive from Tandy, they should be finished with end of the year inventory and beginning to ship soon. NO rush... I can dye the pieces once they are done, taking care NOT to dye the areas that will be taking glue. I can install the various hardware that needs to be in place before the assembly and sew the belt loop on the back of the back panel.

First step on laying out the pattern is to draw the knife itself on the material used for the pattern. In this case, an old file folder. Then you play with the layout and design. I went with a two piece rather than a rolled over, so I could insure I'd have room for the concho, the tying piece for each aspect of the Gunbelt. As you can see, I added each component to stabilize the knife when sheathed. Once the layout was done, I cut out the main pattern, and redrew that on the folder. Then cut out the front section, redrew it. Cut out the welt, from the front piece, and redrew it on the file folder. Lastly I used that center I had cut out to make the welt as the pattern for the wedge. Then, using each pattern piece, I prepped the leather for cutting by transferring the pattern to the leather. I added the wedge to my pattern as I had seen it used on a post HERE on the forum. (A post regarding the Randall Knife Sheath.) Thank you Sir.

I forgot to add, I learned a lot along the way. In my next build, I will know what to do and how to do it. More importantly, I will know what NOT to do. I made a number of mistakes along the way that were costly. Duh.

Out this morning after a nice breakfast. I made a Western Omelet. Fitting don't you think? I trimmed those curves I wanted, including the bottom of the skirt. Smoother look there as well. Then I burnished the skirt edges and reburnished the holster body. I have picked up tips and experience along the way, and am getting better, still NOT perfect, but looking much better. There might be some touch up later. I did sand the entire rough out to about 400 grit, then burnished and dyed the area that will show. Big improvement. When I do the next one, I'll line it, avoid this issue entirely. Next up, I waxed all the bits and pieces again and buffed them to a high sheen, then carefully sewed the loop into position after installing the concho, with blue loctite. The piece is mostly finished, all that is left is to add a hammer retention strap at the top and the tie down lace at the bottom. I likely won't use either, but they will give it the authentic look and the tie down lace will insure the holster doesn't shift in the retention loop. Not bad for a first try at the western belt. Next up is the knife sheath for the off side. Waiting for the matching concho's to come in from Tandy. They are due to start shipping on Thursday after the year end inventory finishes. I ordered back before Christmas. Maybe end of next week? I can build the sheath and use a stand in Concho of the same size.

Back out for a couple hours today. I antiqued the loop after correcting some small issues with the tooling that likely only I noticed... then recoated the finish. I set that aside to dry, and with my tongue held just right, I marked the holster for sewing, and drilled the holes. The front went where I wanted. I used a saddle stitch and sewed it up tight to insure we stayed together. Using dark brown dye, I dyed the edges of the holster and the thread and the tooling, and set 'er aside. While THAT dried I went back to the loop and buffed it out. The holster was folded over and I marked the location of the slots for the retention loop and punched those with a slot cutter. Then I could measure the loop and cut it. I punched the holes I'll need to sew that together tomorrow once everything is done. One last task before stopping for the day, I burnished the edge of the holster where the welts are, and they cleaned up very nice. Looking good. Tomorrow? Burnish the edge of the skirt, the top of the holster body, (Which I should have done before assembly... duh. :roll: ) ... and install and sew the retention loop. I'll also drill holes at the bottom of the holster and in the skirt for a tiedown, which will keep the holster from moving up and down in the loop. I WON'T be tying down the holster for quick draw. :twisted: I need to address that rough side to get rid of the ragged look. A little sanding and some burnishing there as well should help. Miss Tina suggests taking the square edges off in a few small places and otherwise it's good.

I especially like the tooling.

Don't have to be pretty, just have to keep the clamps from marking the project. First tooled sheath, worked hard, I thought it looked pretty good. (It didn't). Clamped it. Plastic teeth left grooves in the leather. Made covers from the scraps. Been using them ever since.

Went back out to work and treated the pieces with the Mink Oil. Really returned the flexibility and deepened the color. Especially the Retention Loop which had gotten VERY stiff after dying. Once that was done, I went to work prepping the holster for glue up, roughing the welts and marking the inside edges of the holster for alignment. Got 'er done and then glued up and clamped. It will cure overnight, then I can trim the edges flush and sew it in the morning. After that was done, I went to work on the Loop, buffing it out, waxing it, and mounting the Concho, as I wanted that in place when I went to mount it on the skirt. I think it looks good against that dark brown dye. I hear the project calling but I like to let the contact cement cure overnight.

And doesn't smell as bad... LOL. Four kids and seven grandkids later, I AM qualified to agree with BOTH statements. When the First kid was born while stationed in Hawaii I sold my Ovation Custom Legend Guitar and hard case, plus a matched pair of Pythons and Zero Haliburton Aluminum Case to buy all the Jenny Lind furniture the wife had to have. I love the kids, all of them, but I miss those sequentially serialized Pythons.

I WISH I could get my stitching to look like that. I am learning my Cowboy 3200, but on many projects, I don't trust myself with the machine and still hand sew them. Beautiful Work. I wanted a Randall when I was in the Corps... My wife said we were having KIDS intead.

Got out in the shop, using the pattern, I made the retention loop and welts and got the tooling done on the loop. I laid the concho on the loop to see what it might look like. I liked the look. Will look even better when the leather is dyed a rich brown to match the belt. Laid it all out and dyed the pieces. I only dyed the edges of the welt. I cut out two thicknesses of the welt in case I needed them. Hopefully I'll get away with just the one.

Had family up for Christmas, so not able to get out and work on the holster for a few days. But, they left yesterday morning and I was able to get out in the afternoon and finally pull the 10 ounce leather out and cut out the pattern. I was pretty happy so far, and laid out the tooling and got 'er knocked out. Here is a closer look at the accent tooling on the holster body. Once the leather is dyed, any small errors won't be so visible, I hope. After coffee and toast this morning, I hope to get out and get the retention loop and welt cut out and tooled and dyed, so we will be ready to move forward. So far so good.

I'll give it a try, thanks....

That first try at the pattern didn't work out so well. It would not have fit the gun and I tossed it. I went back out this afternoon after Miss T came back from town with a roll of heavy paper from Home Depot. The much thicker paper was easier to work with and I started again. Second try was closer, but no cigar. Third try was a charm. Made another welt of course, but the retention loop was still golden. I'll try and get back out this evening and start cutting the leather, but it's been cold and raining hard since last night. NOT a good combination for an old Marine with Arthritis. The ears hear the shop calling but the body says no... mainly the hands... Note the little extra width on the main part of the holster, advised by the old geezer at Springfield. Better to be over than short, you trim that away after glue up. Easy to trim away, not so easy to add leather after you misalign.

To match the gunbelt I just completed. I had finished watching a series of YouTube videos on western holsters, and was ready to start on a pattern. I started by tracing the Uberti the holster would carry. This would give me my reference to design the pattern around. I have made a few holsters in the past but it has been a good while. I laid the belt across the silhouette so I wouldn't have the gun ride too high or too low. I played with the design back and forth for about an hour, making sure the holster laid correctly on the skirt. I took extra care on the retention loop that would lock the holster to the skirt to insure the shape was pleasing and it would accommodate the concho that would tie the holster to the gunbelt design. In the end, it was "Okay" and would work. I wasn't going to cut leather based on the pattern. I was done for the day, and went back in and RE-Watched the three part Springfield Leather Series... I'll give 'er another shot. Learn from the failures. LOL. I'll cut it out and get started when the pattern says "Cut it," to me. Worked too hard on the belt to "Settle" on the holster and sheath. No rush....

Out this morning after breakfast to sew the billet down. I used positioning pins at the back of the billet at the beginning to insure there was NO movement. After sewing down one side, I could pull the pins and continue. Once the billet was sewn, I did the dye thing, and moved on. Next I added a pair of conchos beside both billets, and Boom, we are done. I decided not to line this belt after all. This is a working rig and I'll line the next fancier version. I will wax the entire setup after I finish the holster and sheath. They will get the LoneStar conchos as well to tie the rig together. I can't wait to don the full rig with the Uberti in the holster.

Now I paint a layer of contact cement on both roughened areas, and allow it to dry fully. After its dry I paint a second coat of contact cement and allow it to dry to tacky... then CAREFULLY put the billet in place. You get one shot. Clamp the billet and allow it to cure overnight to insure a good grip.

Now I put the belt around my waist, but with just a bit of looseness to accommodate the holster and sheath to come. Satisfied with the position, I take the awl and tick ONE mark at the end of the billet to mark it's position, and take the belt off. I place the billet in the position referenced by the mark, and trace reference points. We are ready. I grab my roughening tool and roughen the back of the billet behind the stitch lines and the area I marked on the belt. AFTER rechecking the position to make SURE. If you mess this up you can't go back, you can only hope you know someone who would like a belt that size.

Got out yesterday and got the Buckle Billet sewn in place. I saddle stitched it down. Afterward I dyed the stitch groove to hide the raw leather and tone down the thread. I was happy with the result. Next up I got the buckle and silver belt loop assembled and riveted in place. I was pleased with the outcome. I think they will compliment the bullet loops at the back. Next step is to determine the positioning of the tip billet, or whatever it's called. So, I put the belt tip in the center hole and pull it tight in the buckle.

I'll keep that in mind for the rest of the belts I build. Thanks The spalted maple came from a tree on our old farmhouse in VA, planted the first year we were there. It grew from a stick they sent us when we ordered a silver maple from a catalog. Twenty years later woodpeckers and bugs killed it and I had to cut it down. When I started to cut it for firewood I noticed the spalting, and ran it thru my bandsaw mill and set it aside to dry. Still making things from that wood.