Old (?) Charro-Style Holster: Please Help Id

[wlwhittier]

Hi...Noob here.

I bought a fancy-worked holster at a local gun-show recently. I've taken some pics, but see that I'll have to reduce their size considerably to post them here...which I will do soon.

What I would like from the forum is an identification of the technique used, as well as opinions about age and provenance (it was stated at purchase to have come from Mexico in the late 1930's).

By the time I get smaller pics ready, I'll know about whether the white lacing material (latigo?) is natural or man-made.

One of my pics looks small enough, at 1.3M, to attempt posting. If I'm successful, it'll whet your appetite!

Thanks! wlw

Edited April 22, 2014 by wlwhittier

[wlwhittier]

I'm adding pics two at a time...they're as small as I can manage.

There'll be two more posts, for a total of six pics.

I'll add this: the holster is lined; the keeper-strap is inserted between the lining and the foundation.

ALL the wrapped borders appear to be natural material, while the central work on both straps, as well as the inner borders and floral/leaf work look like a synthetic (plastic), which is finely patterned on the exposed surface, and is of very uniform width and thickness.

ANY information about this holster, its origin, its age, and/or names for the type lacing and pattern stitching will be very gratefully received, and promptly acknowledged.

Thank you for looking!

Warren

Edited April 22, 2014 by wlwhittier

[wlwhittier]

Next pair:

Final pair:

[oltoot]

I can't be sure without up close examination but I think the wider width around the edges is vinyl. Could be that it is not original but that it has been partially redone as that is where it would wear the fastest. My guess would be that the bulk of the work is (if not also vinyl) with calfskin or perhaps even horsehide. The technique is a 'poor man's pitiado' pitiado being the practice of embroidery with wool or plant fiber thread on leather. If the holster is unlined, the inside would be a good place to examine to determine materials. If some of the detail on the body turns out to be vinyl also then that would date it much later than the 30's. Repros are common in Mexico as well as US. And where you live you are not far from a rich Charreada culture which would prize such items. Also prized would be items that were 'original' except for the restoration that had been done at some more recent time