Members dikman Posted March 3, 2016 Members Report Posted March 3, 2016 Some time ago I asked about McQueen's holster (from The Magnificent Seven). Lots of useful responses, thanks guys, so I eventually had a go at making one. An interesting exercise, to say the least. My paper pattern could have been a bit wider, although I just managed to squeeze the gun in while molding it. Biggest mistake - I was so fired up to make it that I forgot to put the Chicago screws between the leather before gluing!!!! So I had to recess the screws afterwards. Minor problem, but it should work ok. I was going to just use neatsfoot oil on the leather, to keep it natural, but then decided to use some Feibings Mid Brown that I have. My first use of this, on a belt, came out as what I would call a dark brown, so I cut this 50% to try and lighten it. It now has a reddish tinge to it! (Reminds me of Red Cent's search for a true brown). I should have stuck to the neatsfoot oil, I think. While it's not as neat as many on here, as long as it's functional is the main thing as I've just received my holster certification and the testing showed that my other cross-draw had too great an angle (although it was 30 degrees, if the belt angle changed it could become a problem). This one is 20 degrees, so will function as both strong side and cross-draw. Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
Members stu925 Posted March 3, 2016 Members Report Posted March 3, 2016 Some time ago I asked about McQueen's holster (from The Magnificent Seven). Lots of useful responses, thanks guys, so I eventually had a go at making one. McQueen 1a.jpg McQueen 2a.jpg McQueen 3a.jpg An interesting exercise, to say the least. My paper pattern could have been a bit wider, although I just managed to squeeze the gun in while molding it. Biggest mistake - I was so fired up to make it that I forgot to put the Chicago screws between the leather before gluing!!!! So I had to recess the screws afterwards. Minor problem, but it should work ok. I was going to just use neatsfoot oil on the leather, to keep it natural, but then decided to use some Feibings Mid Brown that I have. My first use of this, on a belt, came out as what I would call a dark brown, so I cut this 50% to try and lighten it. It now has a reddish tinge to it! (Reminds me of Red Cent's search for a true brown). I should have stuck to the neatsfoot oil, I think. While it's not as neat as many on here, as long as it's functional is the main thing as I've just received my holster certification and the testing showed that my other cross-draw had too great an angle (although it was 30 degrees, if the belt angle changed it could become a problem). This one is 20 degrees, so will function as both strong side and cross-draw. Looking at the pictures I was thinking to myself that I wouldn't want the chicago screws up against my gun. Then I read the lower portion of the post and saw they were recessed in, nice recovery on the mistake. Looks great, very authentic. I like the color but I agree that the neatsfoot oil might have been a better choice. Stu Quote
Members Red Bear Haraldsson Posted March 3, 2016 Members Report Posted March 3, 2016 Good looking holster! Nice recovery on the screws, too. I have a question though... Holster certification and testing? Is your club there that picky? Most of the clubs in my area will tell new people about the 30 degree from vertical rule, but I cannot recall anyone actually /checking/ it. I'm not knocking anyone's desire to get it right, I just want to make sure I'm understanding what you're saying. Oh! Another query, what did you cut the Mid Brown with? I am actually quite partial to that red-brown tone. Quote
Members dikman Posted March 3, 2016 Author Members Report Posted March 3, 2016 Thanks for the nice comments, guys, particularly as I would only consider this an "adequate effort" compared to the excellent work I see on here. Stu, I have to make another one, as I need the pair, so it will have to be the same colour, but I'm tempted to make another one as well and just use the neatsfoot oil just to see what it will look like ( ). Red Bear, I used lacquer thinner to cut it. I'm not sure if it's the right stuff to be using (spirit dye, not oil-based) but it seems to work. My first effort was with White Spirit, but it wouldn't mix and the colour made a bubble that floated in the Spirit (looked pretty cool!). I finished off the holster with two coats of hot neatsfoot oil, one after the other, and rubbed in with a cloth. Let it dry for a few hours then applied a mix of beeswax/mutton tallow/neatsfoot oil, rubbed it in and buffed it with a lambswool pad. The colour isn't uniform but slightly patchy, which suits me fine as it should give it a slightly aged/used/worn look (I hope). Holster accreditation. In this country anything to do with firearms is controlled by strict regulations. The only way you can own handguns is by joining an approved pistol club, and they can only be used at club ranges. Holsters are a no-no, unless you pass testing for the particular purpose - IPSC, ISSF, Single Action etc. While the relevant club will run the course/testing, all of this is controlled by the Firearms Branch of the police. If you get caught using a holster and aren't accredited you can lose the lot - guns and licence! Because of this control, clubs are extremely safety conscious as any incident can have dire ramifications for the club. The 30 degree rule, and the resultant possibility of "sweeping" with the barrel, is one that is a potential issue so is carefully watched. (We had to get another Single Action club in to do the testing, as we don't have anyone approved to do it). Sorry for waffling on, but it can be hard for you Yanks to comprehend how Draconian our laws are! Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
Members Red Cent Posted March 4, 2016 Members Report Posted March 4, 2016 (edited) The brown in this picture was created by taking Buckskin and putting four or five drops of black into it. I took a plastic bottle about the size of a pill bottle, filled it up and mixed in the drops of black. When first applied you will get a greenish tint that will turn to brown with the second coat. Might get better if one used more black. I used Fiebing's spirit dye. Threw in the last picture . It is impossible to think what happened in your country would ever happen here. Blood would run in the streets. .... Edited March 4, 2016 by Red Cent Quote https://www.facebook.com/redcentcustomleather?ref=bookmarks http://www.redcentcustomleather.com/
Members stu925 Posted March 4, 2016 Members Report Posted March 4, 2016 The brown in this picture was created by taking Buckskin and putting four or five drops of black into it. I took a plastic bottle about the size of a pill bottle, filled it up and mixed in the drops of black. When first applied you will get a greenish tint that will turn to brown with the second coat. Might get better if one used more black. I used Fiebing's spirit dye. Threw in the last picture . It is impossible to think what happened in your country would ever happen here. Blood would run in the streets. .... We'd like to think it's impossible anyway. Red Cent, those rigs look great, very nice work. Stu Quote
Members dikman Posted March 4, 2016 Author Members Report Posted March 4, 2016 (edited) That brown is nice, it actually looks brown! One of the problems with these dyes is that it depends on what base colour is used to create it initially, wihout knowing this mixing colours can have all sorts of interesting effects. That last photo is sort of what I originally envisaged (but not in two-tone, very striking). I've decided to make the next holster "natural", just using neatsfoot oil and waxing it. Depending which one I like best I'll then make another one in that colour to give me a pair. Fortunately, the actual cost of making a holster is pretty low material-wise, the cost, as we know, is mostly in the time involved so not using one of them is no big deal. You guys are possibly quite unique in the world in having your Second Amendment. DO NOT let them modify it, change it or take it away or you'll end up like us!!! We (Australia) tend to be held up as a shining example of gun control and how it prevents "bad things" happening. Don't you believe it. The only people affected by these strict laws are what we refer to as LAFO's - Law Abiding Firearm Owners - the bad guys, strangely enough, ignore these laws and don't seem to have any trouble getting (illegal) firearms. Edited March 4, 2016 by dikman Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
Members gary Posted March 4, 2016 Members Report Posted March 4, 2016 Thanks for the nice comments, guys, particularly as I would only consider this an "adequate effort" compared to the excellent work I see on here. ... Sorry for waffling on, but it can be hard for you Yanks to comprehend how Draconian our laws are! Draconian? http://basc.org.uk/basc-scotland/airguns-in-scotland/airgun-licensing-in-scotland-frequently-asked-questions/ Quote
Members dikman Posted March 4, 2016 Author Members Report Posted March 4, 2016 Yup. I see you're going down the same path. Air rifles here are classed the same as .22 rifles, paint ball guns and single/double barrel shotguns - must be registered and you need a licence to own one. I note that air pistols appear to be lumped in with air rifles over there, but here an air pistol is considered the same as any other handgun (with the same restrictions on ownership). As has been said many times, once government and bureaucracy get involved logic and common-sense fly out the window! Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
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