Belt and Holster Rig Was Purchased in San Antonio, Texas in 1885

[Shotgun Steve]

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Gunleather #001: This belt and holster rig was purchased in San Antonio, Texas in 1885 and represents a perfect example of Texan gunleather from the 1880's pre-dating the Mexican loop style. Unmarked. It is shown with a 71/2 Colt Single Action Army revolver circa 1882. Excellent condition.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

How fine-lookin' is THAT!!!

[Texas Lawdog]

WOO  HOO!

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Interesting photo:

That has the lines of a California scabbard.  By '85, the Mexican Loop was all the rage in gun leather (especially far down south in San Antonio).  I'm sure a Californian scabbard would've been an unusual item by that time and in that location.

Also note how the holster appears to be mounted to the billet on the Ranger belt . . . probably not a big enough belt loop to go around that wide cartridge belt.

Very interesting photo Steve!

Pancho

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Interesting photo:

That has the lines of a California scabbard.  By '85, the Mexican Loop was all the rage in gun leather (especially far down south in San Antonio).  I'm sure a Californian scabbard would've been an unusual item by that time and in that location.

Also note how the holster appears to be mounted to the billet on the Ranger belt . . . probably not a big enough belt loop to go around that wide cartridge belt.

Very interesting photo Steve!

Pancho

   Good observation Poncho, just goes to show you that folks used what was available to them at the time, that belt as you point out was too wide for the small belt loop on that California Slim Jim, but the owner made it work anyway.


            Regards

         tEN wOLVES 

[O.T. Buchannan]

This is excellent....but it also serves to show that just because something 'new' comes out (Mexican Loop) doesn't mean that everybody jumps on the bandwagon to get one.

[Shotgun Franklin]

No maker's mark? There were several Leathersmith Shops in SA at the time. All of the stuff I've seen was marked but I'd bet that a guy needed a belt and holster and some unknown put him one together. Even today you can find an old Tejano Leathersmith and he'll either make whatever you want or just build you a rig like they learned to make'm. That could explain why the rig looks older than the time period. 'Texas Tony' built me 2 late 1800s saddles, one cost me $600 the other $800. I found one exactly like the $800 one setting in a big shop priced at $2800.