El Dorado version

[Mattsbagger]

Made this for my dad. Sister got him an 1873 clone and he wanted one in black and white. Still have to put the cartridge loops on it.

[Wedgetail]

Looks beautiful! Nice work.

[Mattsbagger]

5 minutes ago, Wedgetail said:

Looks beautiful! Nice work.

Thanks. Arms and hands are a bit sore stitching and burnishing.lol

[bikermutt07]

Great job, Matt. The lines are really clean looking. I love the flow of the top of the holster. Belt looks great too. I'm sure your dad will be proud.

[CaptQuirk]

I think the loop on the holster is a bit too wide, but that is just me. Otherwise, it is a very clean, good looking set. You did a great job!

[YinTx]

Is that W&C pre-finished leather?  I have some and have considered it for a holster, but was under the impression that one should not use pre-finished leathers for holsters, as it may damage the firearm... I have never found anything to confirm one way or another, so was hoping you or someone following this thread might be able to educate me...

YinTx

[Mattsbagger]

1 hour ago, CaptQuirk said:

I think the loop on the holster is a bit too wide, but that is just me. Otherwise, it is a very clean, good looking set. You did a great job!

It's straight off the Will Gormley pattern. The main belt is 2.25 wide and the billets are 1.5.

 

23 minutes ago, YinTx said:

Is that W&C pre-finished leather?  I have some and have considered it for a holster, but was under the impression that one should not use pre-finished leathers for holsters, as it may damage the firearm... I have never found anything to confirm one way or another, so was hoping you or someone following this thread might be able to educate me...

YinTx

The holster is prefinish W/C skirting. I've made a few holsters from it. It's veg tan. Got it from Jeff at JLSleathethere. It's what he uses. The belt pieces are HO I dyed.

[JLSleather]

That W/C drum dyed leather is not actually "finished" -- there is not "finish" on it.. just comes already dyed.  Forms and firms up right nice like

If you just barely dampen the surface of that leather (even now, long as there's no finish coat)... wait a few seconds (maybe 15-30?) it buffs up REAL purdy with a piece of old soft cloth (piece of an old t-shirt is the stuff).

 

Edited December 26, 2016 by JLSleather

[Mattsbagger]

2 hours ago, JLSleather said:

That W/C drum dyed leather is not actually "finished" -- there is not "finish" on it.. just comes already dyed.  Forms and firms up right nice like

If you just barely dampen the surface of that leather (even now, long as there's no finish coat)... wait a few seconds (maybe 15-30?) it buffs up REAL purdy with a piece of old soft cloth (piece of an old t-shirt is the stuff).

 

Yep sorry was meaning to type predyed but wife was talking and typing and listening is not something I do well.lol

[Mattsbagger]

Finished up. Cartridge loops got a bit wonky on me. 

[HBAR]

Matt,

Did you say this was all hand sewn?  That would be a lot of work for sure.

Is the belt lined?  Since its shiny on the inside it looks like it.  If it is lined sew your billet, chape and bullet loops through just one layer. It should be easier for you to do it that way, and it will step up the finished look.  It looks good the way it is now though.  If you want you could make your bullet loops a little narrower to allow for getting the bullets out easier.  They wont fall out, dont worry about that. It looks like you have them about 1" now, you could go 3/4" or less still.

Edited December 26, 2016 by HBAR

[Mattsbagger]

1 hour ago, HBAR said:

Matt,

Did you say this was all hand sewn?  That would be a lot of work for sure.

Is the belt lined?  Since its shiny on the inside it looks like it.  If it is lined sew your billet, chape and bullet loops through just one layer. It should be easier for you to do it that way, and it will step up the finished look.  It looks good the way it is now though.  If you want you could make your bullet loops a little narrower to allow for getting the bullets out easier.  They wont fall out, dont worry about that. It looks like you have them about 1" now, you could go 3/4" or less still.

Yep its all hand sewn. And it's 7/8 outside lined 4/5. Billets are single 7/8. I figured I could get better results on the main body by finishing first then sewing. It's for my dad. 54 inch long belt. He wanted a very big contrast in the stitching. Next time probably line afterwards. And the loops are 1". All measurements taken from the Will Ghorman pattern. Never made anything like this before. I have done a few avenger style and pancakes from patterns. Mostly been doing wallets and pocket protectors. Big learning curve on this one.lol

[bikermutt07]

Again, really bang up job. Be proud.