Field, Shoulder and Chest Rigs

The shoulder rig became particularly popular at the end of the 19th century. As civilization encroached on the raw frontier, keeping a weapon out of sight while in town became a priority for both lawman and unruly alike. Period-correct models laid the gun straight up and down under the armpit and proved difficult to access. Ours are styled for the period but are very slightly canted forward and provide both excellent concealment and access to the weapon.
 
Shoulder rigs remain popular today both for field rigs and concealed carry. We have updated our line of old-style shoulder rig with the more modern spider-configuration holsters. The Spider rigs are extremely versatile and can be configured with an older style underarm strap, with a dump pouch, clip, cuff case or knife sheath on the waekhand side to stabilize the weight of the strongside weapon. It can also be configured as a chest rig. AFor field use, it is an excellent choice. We also offer several other variations on the theme of the chest rig for your convenience.
 
In addition to our shoulder and chest rigs, we offer a number of "Field" Holsters with or without accompanying belts.
 
Please note that we cover only the revolvers on these pages. For 1911's, please see our "19119" pages.

Field Thumb Break

British Tan

Roy's Field Break

Sunset & Furstnow Border

This holster provides excellent protection and retention for a weapon in the field. The holster is essentially the same as Roy's Field Holter (see 6th holster on this page) By customer choose, this one is configured with open rear sight. The holster can be had with an integral shroud to protect your rear sight if desired.

Shown here is one of our classic borders. We can do this holster (plus matched belts, slides and other accessories) in any border, geometric or carved design shown on the website.

 

Borderstamped Threepersons

Light Mahogany

ThreePersons with Thumb Tab

Furstnow with Repeating 9's Border

The legend says that Tom Threepersons cut the pattern for what was to become the Threepersons style of holstert from a soda can. He asked Tio Sam Myers of SD Myers Saddlery if it could be made. It was an instant hit and forever changed the gunleather landscape.

This is our version, one of many that we make based on the original cut Myers perfected. It is equipped with a thumb tab which retains the pistol securely and does doeble-duty in keeping the moveable rear sights on revolvers such as the Ruger Blackhawk & Single 6 and the S&W J,K & L frames from getting banged around. (There are many ways to skin this cat. We illustrate other "systems" to protect rear sights on other holsters below.)

 

Cecil Threepersons

Antique Brown

Classic Three Persons

Arizona Tulip

No Noose Neal

While the name we have given this holster seems misleading -- there never was a Cecil Threepersons -- we are merely following a western tradition of associating names and ownership. In short, the fellow who asked us to make this for him is named Cecil. (It works for us!)

This is a quintissential Threepersons style. The safety strap is secured with a button stud which we prefer over snaps for simplicity and longevity. The kangaroo-laced main seam is not standard is an option. The main seam can be stitched if you prefer it that way.

 

Hamley Shoulder Rig

Light Mahogany

Standard Old-style Shoulder Rig.

Hamley Geometric with repeating 9’s border

Figure of Eight (concealment)

this shoulder rig is similar to the one shown above with the exception that it has a less-contoured pouch. It is also tooled with a border surrounding a "checker pattern". this was a very popular style of tooling at the turn of the 1900's. You still see remnants of this style of tooling in our modern basketstamp patterns

 

Longridge Kelly’s Skeleton Rig

Chocolate

Skeleton Rig

Elko Leaf

Figure of Eight (concealment)

The skeleton rig made its appearance towards the very end of the 1800's.This particular one is built on the same lines as the traditional turn-of-the-century models with the exception of the sterling appointments on the spring and the boot. (Traditionally, these areas were unadorned.). The carving pattern is also more modern than would have been the case on a rig from this era. While this is a handsome and showy rig, we would not recommend it for active participation in SASS or CAS shooting events as the sturdy spring necessitated for this sort of construction makes the rig slow for re-holstering the pistol. However, if you like gathering points for style… this rig definitely says: “In your face!”

 

Roy's Field Holster

 

British Tan

Roy's Field Holster with Ranger Belt

Huntington Floral with Repeating 9's Border

Main Body: Repeating 9's and Doc Martin Vine Border

Billets: Huntington Floral

We have always maintained that when you have completed your day out in forest or field that you should be able to hang you gunleather on a peg or over a chair and enjoy some memories. This holster is that pretty! But don't let appearances fool you. This rig is Field-hand tough!

Roy's Field Holster varies slightly from our standard holsters mostly from the cut at the throat and toe. The top of the pouch is cut so that the trigger guard is fully-enclosed for protection against brush and debri. The moveable rear sights are protected by an integral shroud. The combination of safety strap and shroud works particularly-well with the N-Frame revolvers which tend to have a wide, bulbous hammer that tends to hang up a thumb tab. The toe on this one is open by request. It can be had with a stitched-through toe or even with a toe plug.

MOOSE VALDEZ Chest Rig

 

Black

Valdez Chest Rig

Oak Leaf with carved Moose insert

Valdez

The Valdez chest rig is characterized by 1" straps throughout it's harness. The wider straps allow for attaching a slide for extra ammo or a knife sheath if you prefer wearing overalls or coveralls in the field.It also has a moveable shoulder "pad", useful for easing the weight of a heavy revolver when in the field. Initial adjustment is by chicago screw and buckle. once fitted, it is very easy to resize for more or less clothing by buckles alone. The revolver is held in place with a thumb tab over the hammer which also does double duty in protecting moveable rear sights.

Bear VALDEZ Chest Rig

 

Black

Valdez Chest Rig

Elko Leaf with carved Grizzly Bear insert

Valdez

This version of our Valdez chest rig is shown as a close-up. It varies form the one above only in the model of revolver fitted, color of hardware and in tooling pattern. All else is identical.

 

 

Leaf & Scroll Spider Rig

Black

Horizontal-Carry with Trigger Break

Leaf & Scroll Floral

Spider

Among shoulder harness designs, this one deserves a great deal of respect. it is versatile and can be had in endless combinations including one that positions the weapon in the same manner as a chest rig would! It is stable and, with the wide straps, exceptionally comfortable.

The holster on this rig is equipped with a trigger break. It was actually designed for the J-Frame Centennial which has no hammer and which is impossibleto retain with a conventional thumb break. The weak hand side is equipped with a set of dump pouches. There are numerous other options. The hardware on this particular one is a combination of stainless steel and hand-engraved sterling silver.

 

Dakota Doc Martin Huckleberry Rig

 

Havana with British Tan Liner and Loop and Brass Spots & Mexican Peso Concho

Dakota Doc Huckleberry

Dakota Doc Martin Border with brass spots within tooling

Huckleberry

Our Huckleberry harness is very similar to our Nueces chest rig. The chest strap is a bit wider and the holster is suspended in a slightly different manner. Positioning of the holster is similar to the Nueces. The holster on the Doc Martin varies radically from standard model chest rigs in that it is presented as a slim jim with a Texas jock strap style loop.