S&w K-Frame

[Eaglestroker]

Ever since I dug this pattern out of my grandfathers old leatherworking cabinet I've been dying to try it. I'm not sure what you would even call it. Picked up this M66 last week and any self respecting hobbyist can't have a naked gun! I think given the stitching pattern this really needs a retention strap and my next try will probably have a sweat guard as well. I didn't want to just 'stick on' a strap and have it look unplanned so I will have to carry this around for a little while and go from there. I also tried a new desigin with the border stamp and I think it's a lot less boring than the way I used too. I do know after this project one thing was blatantly clear - I really need to invest in some quality edgers.

In any case, as always critiques and criticism are welcomed.

[Big O]

There's no stitch line following the lower contour of the revolver. Won't the fit tend to become loose over time?

It does look very nice, though. Love the color, and you clearly put a lot of work into the stamping.

I've tried basketweave once, and we won't talk about that.....

[Lobo]

Very nice work. Vintage design reminiscent of the Threepersons' style, but with a little higher coverage. I like the way you have boned the leather into the forward portion of the trigger guard on the outer, and well into the trigger guard on the inner. Does not appear to have a welt in the main seam, which you might want to consider for future production. The welt will add some strength and rigidity, and also allows for closer fitting to the handgun.

There are lots of "new and improved" designs out there, but the classics will never go out of style.

[katsass]

Ever since I dug this pattern out of my grandfathers old leatherworking cabinet I've been dying to try it. I'm not sure what you would even call it. Picked up this M66 last week and any self respecting hobbyist can't have a naked gun! I think given the stitching pattern this really needs a retention strap and my next try will probably have a sweat guard as well. I didn't want to just 'stick on' a strap and have it look unplanned so I will have to carry this around for a little while and go from there. I also tried a new desigin with the border stamp and I think it's a lot less boring than the way I used too. I do know after this project one thing was blatantly clear - I really need to invest in some quality edgers.

In any case, as always critiques and criticism are welcomed.

Good morning from the grumpy old man; Well ES, I started as a LEO back when our issued duty guns were Colt Police Positive Specials. We soon began to purchase our own guns when the .357 became easily available.........these being mostly some version of a K-Frame S&W wheel gun. The only holsters at that time that had a retaining strap were those used on duty, almost all others were built sans the strap. The guys on horseback usually wanted one but the majority found little need for such retention. Back then holsters were made of true 10 oz. cowhide and were well fitted to the gun........without the 'boning' that seems to be prevalent in so many of the current manufacturer's and maker's products. They were also fairly high riding, and an awful lot of cops carried a Mod.-19 off and on duty. I built holsters for these guns, and others, as far back as the mid '60s, and the majority of those that had a retaining strap were for single action auto pistols that were carried cocked and locked. The safety strap was just that.....one that provided a bit of safety for the wearer, the strap being between the hammer and the breech of the gun. I CAN recall two instances of an individual dropping a wheelgun from his holster; one was when an individual made a mad dash to a restroom and dropped trou in a big hurry, the second was when a helicopter crewman leaned out from the open port over a dry lake while on a search........that was from a Hoyte shoulder rig. (the gun was found, dusty but undamaged about three weeks later) In the last five years I have built only one holster with a retention strap. That being a modified 'Threepersons' style , with a thumb break, the trigger guard covered, in black, and without basket-weave. That was built to the regs of a private security outfit for a new hire retired LEO. Now, I'm not making any recommendation nor even stating a preference, just relating my experiences. The reason I'm on the computer is that I'm up earlier than anyone else in the house and this is about the only thing I can do without irritating those that sleep late and/or stirring up the whole damned joint. Mike

Edited April 23, 2011 by katsass

[Go2Tex]

Very nice work. Vintage design reminiscent of the Threepersons' style, but with a little higher coverage. I like the way you have boned the leather into the forward portion of the trigger guard on the outer, and well into the trigger guard on the inner. Does not appear to have a welt in the main seam, which you might want to consider for future production. The welt will add some strength and rigidity, and also allows for closer fitting to the handgun.

There are lots of "new and improved" designs out there, but the classics will never go out of style.

Indeed! Classic style holster for a classic handgun. Gotta love it.

[Eaglestroker]

There's no stitch line following the lower contour of the revolver. Won't the fit tend to become loose over time?

It does look very nice, though. Love the color, and you clearly put a lot of work into the stamping.

I've tried basketweave once, and we won't talk about that.....

I appreciate the compliments on the tooling. It has definitely progressed as I have - I'm not an artistic person which tells me with enough time anyone can get good results from it! This was the first time the border took me longer to stamp than the basketweave! I call the color 'I'm running out of dyes, so I'm going to put lt brown, saddle tan, dk brown, and a pinch of mahogany into my bowl and let it ride' - to be exact! Then I forgot to buff it out and when wet the dye bleed a little and stained my beautiful white stitching

The fact that there is not a stitch line following the revolver is why I think this design 'needs' a strap so good eye there, that's why I was hoping for a little feedback and design modification from everyone here!

Very nice work. Vintage design reminiscent of the Threepersons' style, but with a little higher coverage. I like the way you have boned the leather into the forward portion of the trigger guard on the outer, and well into the trigger guard on the inner. Does not appear to have a welt in the main seam, which you might want to consider for future production. The welt will add some strength and rigidity, and also allows for closer fitting to the handgun.

There are lots of "new and improved" designs out there, but the classics will never go out of style.

Hey Ray, glad to hear your input it's always welcome. I've still been having problems with not being satisfied with how my boning turns out so I returned to doing it all by hand. At least it is not over done then. I did like the way the trigger guard turned out as well, it looks a little unusual in person as the top of that hoop flares out for re-holstering, but I think that gives it some attitude/personality.

The center welt is not something I had previously considered on this design but poses an interesting question from me - with the stitch line so far out AND a center welt, would this allow the holster to maintain retention over time? In any case I think being able to tackle a first design like this shows improvement on my end. I'm just happy to be stitching!

Good morning from the grumpy old man; Well ES, I started as a LEO back when our issued duty guns were Colt Police Positive Specials. We soon began to purchase our own guns when the .357 became easily available.........these being mostly some version of a K-Frame S&W wheel gun. The only holsters at that time that had a retaining strap were those used on duty, almost all others were built sans the strap. The guys on horseback usually wanted one but the majority found little need for such retention. Back then holsters were made of true 10 oz. cowhide and were well fitted to the gun........without the 'boning' that seems to be prevalent in so many of the current manufacturer's and maker's products. They were also fairly high riding, and an awful lot of cops carried a Mod.-19 off and on duty. I built holsters for these guns, and others, as far back as the mid '60s, and the majority of those that had a retaining strap were for single action auto pistols that were carried cocked and locked. The safety strap was just that.....one that provided a bit of safety for the wearer, the strap being between the hammer and the breech of the gun. I CAN recall two instances of an individual dropping a wheelgun from his holster; one was when an individual made a mad dash to a restroom and dropped trou in a big hurry, the second was when a helicopter crewman leaned out from the open port over a dry lake while on a search........that was from a Hoyte shoulder rig. (the gun was found, dusty but undamaged about three weeks later) In the last five years I have built only one holster with a retention strap. That being a modified 'Threepersons' style , with a thumb break, the trigger guard covered, in black, and without basket-weave. That was built to the regs of a private security outfit for a new hire retired LEO. Now, I'm not making any recommendation nor even stating a preference, just relating my experiences. The reason I'm on the computer is that I'm up earlier than anyone else in the house and this is about the only thing I can do without irritating those that sleep late and/or stirring up the whole damned joint. Mike

Hey Mike, a later good morning to you from the stressed out due to finals college student. Your reasoning is the reason why I don't fool with retention straps on pancake style holsters. After listening to a few of you pro's I believe a properly made holster is the key.In any case thanks for the reassurance there. This was/is a police trade in gun so I suppose it's on appropriate for a home similar to what it is used too! -Robert

Edited April 23, 2011 by Eaglestroker