Fitted Slim Jims for 51 Navy

[Dusty Morningwood]

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Who makes good quality, but relatively inexpensive custom fitted slim jim holsters for 51 navies?  They ride kind of loose in the new Tombstone Leather ones I got for the OTs and settle way too deep in my old Oklahoma Leather SJs.  Surely someone uses a 51 style blank or cheap repro to make form fitted holsters for these puppies.

[St. George]

The holsters of the era did seat the revolver 'deep' - for security while on horseback.

They weren't wet-fitted nor form-fitted, per-se - but achieved that through wear and the elements.

They were also made of pretty thin leather - that 'Oklahoma Leather' holster is quite similar to what was available at the time from a Dry Goods dealer.

Look for a Slim Jim made by 'Classic Old West Styles' - and I believe that 'The Fort', in Lincoln, Nebraska has some in stock.

Call them Toll-Free at - 1-877-907-3678 X199 - ask for Terry or Glen.

Good Luck.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Dusty,
What St. George said is the way to go.

If you want a real tight fitted holster, you can soak them in water until throughly wet, oil your pistolas down real good, wrap them in several layers of cellophane, stick them in the wet holsters and let them dry until slightly damp.

While the leather is damp, take a rounded wooden dowel rod about a 1/2" in diameter and work the contours of the pistols while still in the holster. This will give the look that the pistols have been part of the holster for a long time, and been out in the weather some.

Let dry, oil lightly with the best grade olive oil.

Bill