Saddle Scabbard

[Northmount]

16 hours ago, RichardB said:

Please contact me, I’d like for you to make one of these for me: Richard

@RichardB  You realize that this thread is from 2010.  The OP hasn't been on this site since May 2016.

@dbusarow  If you are still around, you could have a sale here. 

[Wyowally]

He did really nice work on this. Everyone's experience, terrain and horses are different.  I rode pretty far back in some pretty rough country and helped an outfitter friend for a number of years. All that called for carrying expensive rifles in scabbards, sometimes not knowing if the horse would act up or not. My only comments aren't about the superb workmanship, but more towards security and protection.

- our preferred attachment method was on the off side, butt forward, scope on top.  If the rifle has a long sling that won't shorten or tuck then there is always the chance of the rifle getting yanked out in thick timber. Scope up, because they aren't delicate but still vulnerable if the weight of the rifle is resting on it and the mounts. The fender over the scabbard. Rubbing the horse shouldn't happen.

- we preferred wider attachment straps and I know the OP was just showing it on the horse. The straps hold the weight and though they are doubled only need to break in one spot. Even so, shorter straps attached to the cinch rings are stronger and more secure.  Even good horses blow up, and if they do it without a rider with those long straps attached somewhere on the opposite side and rifle in the scabbard it is going to flop all over the place and likely come off. Also don't like seeing the front strap coming right across the neck, even if it is on top of the blanket/pad.

I know it is a resurrected old thread. I also know that other people get by just fine with their methods. This is what worked reliably for us.

[chuck123wapati]

16 hours ago, Wyowally said:

He did really nice work on this. Everyone's experience, terrain and horses are different.  I rode pretty far back in some pretty rough country and helped an outfitter friend for a number of years. All that called for carrying expensive rifles in scabbards, sometimes not knowing if the horse would act up or not. My only comments aren't about the superb workmanship, but more towards security and protection.

- our preferred attachment method was on the off side, butt forward, scope on top.  If the rifle has a long sling that won't shorten or tuck then there is always the chance of the rifle getting yanked out in thick timber. Scope up, because they aren't delicate but still vulnerable if the weight of the rifle is resting on it and the mounts. The fender over the scabbard. Rubbing the horse shouldn't happen.

- we preferred wider attachment straps and I know the OP was just showing it on the horse. The straps hold the weight and though they are doubled only need to break in one spot. Even so, shorter straps attached to the cinch rings are stronger and more secure.  Even good horses blow up, and if they do it without a rider with those long straps attached somewhere on the opposite side and rifle in the scabbard it is going to flop all over the place and likely come off. Also don't like seeing the front strap coming right across the neck, even if it is on top of the blanket/pad.

I know it is a resurrected old thread. I also know that other people get by just fine with their methods. This is what worked reliably for us.

All good points my friend and worth adding to this thread. I 've seen many leather products made by folks that don't have the practical knowledge such as this. They follow a pattern without knowing if its a workable design that will stand up to its proposed use in an efficient manner. I've ridden and hunted horseback a few times but not enough to take advantage of any knowledge i might have gained from the experience so i could just have easily made a scabbard with the same inadequacies or even more. Thank you for the excellent advice.

[oltoot]

my preferred option for scoped rifles , was on the near side, nearly straight up and down with the scope forward. This provided for easy and smooth quiet out when dismounted or dismounting. Slight tilt to the rear allowed for stable attachment. Bulk of the bulk was just  clear of the knee. A permanent strap could go through the fork of the saddle with the top strap attached to it. Bottom strap was adjusted to balance the rig.

[JoeTrucker]

On 10/22/2010 at 2:23 AM, dbusarow said:

Here's a scabbard I just finished for a customer. He wanted a scabbard for his scoped 700 that was as slim and trim as one for a lever action. Well, he didn't get that exactly but it is nicer than most you see. Nice and simple.

The body is 12-14 oz skirting. The straps are 10-12 oz skirting and the "stiffener" around the scope is 4/5 oz. All W&C skirting.

It's hard to see in these pictures but I did some wet molding around the forend to get his fairly wide sling to fit the rifles.

Here's some close ups

The modest sunburst effect on the scope stiffener is just the extra oil penetrating the edge of the leather. Just got lucky on that.

And here's one of my girls wearing it

When I put the fender over the top of the scabbard the tip was pressing on her shoulder and she wasn't happy. With the fender under the scabbard as shown she didn't seem to know it was there. Did a little loping and trotting as well as walking around. Even threw in a couple turn arounds and rollbacks.

I think the buyer will be happy.

ETA, Most of the stitching was done on my new Cobra Class 4. The smaller details for the snaps, strap keepers etc I stitched by hand. For those small pieces hand stitching was easier since I'm not as confident with the machine in those small spaces yet. But a three foot long stitch is a snap with this machine.

Dan

Even 10 years later, it's a stunning piece of work! Wish Dan would post more projects like this!