How Hard Should Slim Jim Holsters Be?

[PAMuzzle]

I just completed 2 Slim Jim holsters and gun belt ( no pics yet) and was just curious how hard (stiff) the holster should be for western style guns.

[Sorcerer1]

I'm sure there are others that know more than I , but I Always put a spine up the open side of all mine  That makes it three widths thick . Seems to make it less able to twist or bend . I don't use as heavy of leather than many do,  this from a  leather master from my past . He was of the belief that the saddle skirting he had seen was over kill . I also don't store my pistolas in the holster , but I do stuff some paper in them to hold their shape .  I use" Art" paper that has no acid in it so as not to create an issue later on . Living in AZ . I don't need to worry about a lot of humidity . Anyway what's what I know , I think ?

 Arley  AKA Sorcerer 1

[VMTinajero]

It depends if you are going for historical accuracy or a modern interpretation. Traditionally, California style holsters were medium weight, usually with no lining. If a lining was used, older holsters would probably have been lined with felt, and later versions buckskin. Most had a toe plug. There were not many leather stamping tools around when this style first appeared, so most carving was a low-relief style & not the modern Sheridan style of carving popular since the 20th century. They were not stiff holsters compared to nowadays, & I've never seen one that was lined with a 2-4 oz leather like modern replicas. They were cross-draw & made to secure the pistol; a fast draw was not the primary intent for a traditional California-style Slim Jim holster. Attached is a pic of a beautiful replication done by my friend & mentor Jack Stewart in Ash Fork, AZ. He is a master craftsman & my inspiration for improving my skills.

Edited February 9, 2017 by VMTinajero

[VMTinajero]

Here is a California style holster I made about 21 years ago for an 1858 Remington New Army. This was my first holster carving in this style:

 

[MADMAX22]

One thing to consider also is we have no way of knowing exactly how firm the leather was they used, sure we have an idea but remember back then leather didnt come from only young beef stock all the time and the tanning used slightly different methods. Everything we have from that time period has been used weathered and who knows how it was oiled or taken care of. Nowhere near its original feel/stiffness. 

Still can only be so accurate basically just trying to get appearance and basic construction the same (if thats what your going for) like VMT was saying.

Edited February 11, 2017 by MADMAX22

[MADMAX22]

VMT great job on matching that tooling, looks really good.