What Color Is This?

[vaalpens]

I have seen a few threads about some old school holsters, and most of them have about the same color. The one example listed was a George Lawrence holster. I know these holsters show some wear and the color changes over the years, but can anybody tell me what color to use use to duplicate some of the old school holsters. I was thinking of making a flap holster or just something more old school and would at least try and get the color correct for the period. Here are some examples I am trying to duplicate.

Thanks again in advance for any information that can help.

Edited November 19, 2013 by vaalpens

[Matt S]

Remember that the colour you see varies with a factors. Probably most significant: heaviness of dye application; dilution of dye; number of dye coats; production batch of dye; heaviness of oil application; type of oil; variations in leather (even from the same tanner); lighting and camera colour balance.

My starting point would be Fiebings pro mahogany.

[vaalpens]

Remember that the colour you see varies with a factors. Probably most significant: heaviness of dye application; dilution of dye; number of dye coats; production batch of dye; heaviness of oil application; type of oil; variations in leather (even from the same tanner); lighting and camera colour balance.

My starting point would be Fiebings pro mahogany.

Thanks for the advise and especially where to start with a dye. I will just have to play with the color until I get to something I like. Yes, I have realized that these colors could be all over the map depending on how I apply it, the oil I use, how much oil, did I dye before wet forming or after wet forming. I have learned the hard way to test smaller pieces out first before using it for my project.

[artycpt]

Depending on how old the holster is there were various methods of creating dyes to dip them in for overall dying.

Vinegeroon for black and for brown I think they used some type of walnut husk solution. Maybe somebody with more knowledge about the old dying methods will help me out....