badnuz1957:
Sir:
I have the honor to reply to yours of this morning. Because of the difficulty in educating some RO's about the safety of a cavalry draw, I wear a replica of an original butt-rear, open-top holster designed for his troops by Capt. Fechet, Commanding Co. G, 8th Cavalry, in the 1880's. This carries a 7-1/2" Ruger Vaquero. For the second pistol, I use a 5-1/2" Old Model Vaquero, butt-forward on the left side (cross draw) in a slim-jim type holster. The theory here is that the soldier bought a second pistol from his own funds, in case he needed it in the field, during a campaign.
For color guards, parades, etc., I will usually switch to an officer's waist belt, with the 1880's style Stewart Saber hanger, with pistol cartridge pouch and a regulation butt-forward on the right side holster, of either Pattern 1863 (full flap), or one of the later half-flap holsters. The Stewart hanger is the kind that hooks over the top of the belt, and has the long rear, and the short front strap connected to the slots in the hanger piece. (These are available from Dixie Gun Works or S&S.) This type of hanger allows rapid removal of the saber and hanger for dinners, etc, where the saber, though looking great, is a blasted nuisance when seated.
BTW, for head gear, when at the range, I normally wear a straw planter's hat with officer's acorn hatband, but when called to the firing line, I change to a kepi, which allows me to use over-the-top-of-the-head hearing muffs. (After nearly fifty years of shooting with various types of ear plugs, etc., I have to save what's left of my hearing! To blazes with what it looks like!
Hoping this is of some help, I remain,