Starting on the holster and knife sheath

[Brokenolmarine]

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....

[Hags]

I'm going to have to build a western rig at some point. Looks very nice so far.

[Brokenolmarine]

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.  

[Brokenolmarine]

[HandyDave]

One tip I'll lend for the welt on holsters like this and even knife sheathes. I notice you cut your template for the welt in the shape of the holster. When you have gentle curves like on your holster template you don't need to cut a welt to shape. You can use a straight piece cut to width. Glue it and you can curve the straight piece right along your edge without the extra work of making a special welt. 

[Brokenolmarine]

1 hour ago, HandyDave said:

One tip I'll lend for the welt on holsters like this and even knife sheathes. I notice you cut your template for the welt in the shape of the holster. When you have gentle curves like on your holster template you don't need to cut a welt to shape. You can use a straight piece cut to width. Glue it and you can curve the straight piece right along your edge without the extra work of making a special welt. 

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