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The gun belts and holsters presented within these next pages are either reproductions of existing period holsters or are holsters and belts which we have created based on our knowledge of era, region and history. Notes regarding historic insights and period correctness can be found in the "About" sections beside each photograph. Many holsters were offered with minimal tooling or with a variety of border stamped designs or with other carved designs. Just because they are not shown this way does not mean they cannot be had. The basic profiles and tooling may be altered according to your wishes. (Some of these appear in our Cowboy Action pages.) 1849’er
Antique Brown Old California Slim Jim. Taper Belt HOLSTER : "Old California" with repeating 9’s border BELT: "No Noose Neal" border A reproduction of an early- period Main & Winchester holster, it is styled with a contoured (early style) pouch, high cut at the cylinder and the traditional triple recurve throat. The holster rides rather high. The trigger area turns in on the trigger as a sort of retention mechanism. It has a toe plug. This is a period-correct holster in all respects and would have been typical of holsters built from the late 1840’s to the 1870’s 
Black Mountain Rig
Antique Brown Black Mountain Slim Jim Civilian Tapered Web Belt HOLSTER : Chain & Four Point Star BELT: Chain & Four Point Star The Mills style web belt was period correct for the post 1880 era for civilians and military. This style is a civilian type shotgun belt. The holster is a late era slim jim. It has a very high profile over the cylinder and trigger, swallowing the pistol almost completely. The pouch style is a gentle taper rather than the earlier form-fitting California types. There is a period-correct toe plug.
1851 Navy HolsterAntique Brown 1851 Slim Jim None Shown Sunset Border In the early California tradition, this holster has the same lovely contours as our '49er as well as an additional small contour at the end of the barrel. These holsters were comtemporary with the '49er style from the late 1840's on through to the early 1870's. There is a toe plug
Collins Bros. RigDark Mahogany Collins Brothers Cheyenne-style Holster Gunfighter Belt Holster: El Paso Border Belt: El Paso Border The Collins Brothers Saddlery were contemporaries of Frank Meanea. As such, their holsters bore strong resemblances to one another. There were subtle variations however mostly in the toe, skirt and throat which we have captured in this holster.
Deadwood Woody’s RigAntique Brown Deadwood Woody Skirted Holster Money Belt Holster: Injun John with antiqued brass spots BELT: Injun John with antiqued brass spots This skirted holster is a combination of 2 made by the Moran Brothers of Miles City, Montana. It is a skirted holster with a single, riveted-on loop. It would have appeared toward the end of the 19th century.
French & Olzer RigLight Mahogany French Saddlery Mexican Loop Holster Olzer Money Belt. Holster: French with bugle border Belt: Double Bugle The holster is a faithful reproduction of a French Saddlery holster. It is a single Mexican loop style holster built circa 1900 – 1910. The toe is plugged. As was typical of many cowboy rigs, the belt is made by a different maker than the holster, in this case, a traaditional money belt made in the manner of the Frank Olzer Saddlery circa 1905-1915. Discerning features are the tapered billets with characteristic stitch pattern.
Borderstamped CheyenneLight Mahogany "Cheyenne" None Holster: Sunset & Greek Meander The swell in the centermost portion of the pouch on this holster indicates that it is of a Cheyenne pattern. The cut is very similar to the Meanea and Collins Brothers styles with the exception that it is cut lower at the cylinder and at the trigger areas. This style of holster would have been in use from the late 1870's through to the late 1930's.
Frank's holsterDark Mahogany Old California Slim Jim None Ocean Wave with Halfberry Border Nearly identical in form and shape to the '49er, this holster has been dropped so that the bottom of the grips sit at the top of the belt line. It has also had the trigger area modified into a straighter profile at the main seam which allows for an easier draw.It is tooled with one of our signature "extra fancy" borders.
Joel’s Gun RigLight Mahogany "Mexican Loop" Gunfighter Belt Holster: Northern Plains with Repeating 9's border Belt: Chain & 4-Point Star with double Repeating 9’s border While the silver loop and tip on this rig speak of a genesis in the 1920's, the holster and belt style suggest n earlier time. Holsters such as these would have been commonplace on the northern plains from the late 1870-s well into the 20th century.
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Dakota Doc's Gun rigHavana with British Tan Accents and Brass Spots Texas "Jock Strap" Gunfighter Belt with "Bulb-shaped" billets Holster: Dakota Doc with hand-carved copper rose accents Belt: Dakota Doc with hand-carved copper rose accents The " Texas jock strap" holster (or tri-loop) is said to have been the invention of "Tio Sam Myers" at El Paso Saddlery. It is one of the iconic holsters of the early 20th century. This one has an open toe. The two-tone color scheme is accurate. It was a fairly popular way to make gun leather early in the 20th century. The Mexican Peso concho on the tri-loop bears testimony to a Southwest or Texas origin.
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| All Contents Copyrighted 2005 • All Photos Courtesy Don "Oso" Contreras |
