71-72 Open Top Holster Selection - Holsters Finished (See Pics)

[Rube Burrows]

Okay, so I recently picked up a set of well used 71-72 Open Tops with 5.5” barrels.

I’m wanting to make myself a set of holsters for it.

I am undecided on what style I want. I was originally thinking a Cheyenne style. I have only made them strong side so far and for longer barrels. Does anyone have a photo of a 5.5” cross draw Cheyenne?

What about photos of a Slim Jim 49er style in that barrel length?

I’m open to other suggestions also.

The guns are plenty used and these will be fairly plain holsters as that’s more my style, personally.

Thanks I’m advance for any photos or suggestions.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I can show you 5-1/2" but not cross-draw.

[Rube Burrows]

I can show you 5-1/2" but not cross-draw.

I was afraid the shorter ones wouldn’t look as good in the Cheyenne Pattern but that looks just as good.  Thanks for the pic.

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[Coffinmaker]

   Hey RUBE   

Mosey on up to the leather shop.  Cliff Fendly and Smoky Dave have tin Types of a couple swell examples of Toe Plug holsters very adaptable to what you are wanting.  I prefer a plain holster, of a "Slim Jim" style (sort of) on a Drop Loop to get the Gun Butt down near my wrist.  Open Tops don't fit Colt SAA pattern holsters by the way.

DUH . . . . This is "The Leather Shop" so just "scroll up" if you haven't already

People are Hazardous to yer Health

[Abilene]

... Open Tops don't fit Colt SAA pattern holsters by the way...

You've said this before, and as a blanket statement it is just plain wrong.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I was afraid the shorter ones wouldn’t look as good in the Cheyenne Pattern but that looks just as good.  Thanks for the pic.

Thanks. I like both lengths equally. I suspect cross draw will be fine, too.

[Skeeter Lewis]

Slim jims are always appropriate for the early '70s.

[Rube Burrows]

Slim jims are always appropriate for the early '70s.

So, I’m thinking I’ll use Will Ghormley’s Forty Niner pack but if the 1873 SAA pattern don’t fit the 72 Open Top, what does?

[Coffinmaker]

   Ah So Rube   

OK, let me modify my statement for Abilene.  If the SAA holster, is "molded" to the SAA, the pouch also molds to the Flutes of the cylinder.  The Open Top doesn't have Flutes.  If the holster is molded to fit the SAA barrel and Ejector Housing, the Open Top Ejector Assembly is longer and and fatter and will "drag" in and out of the holster.

If, on the other hand, the holster is made to a "one size fits all" standard, you wind up with a basically sloppy fit for everything.  Which I suppose is OK for some, but I prefer my leather to actually fit the intended gun.  Picky picky picky, but atz the way it is.  And, I happen to like my Attitude.  So There.  thibbbbitt. 

[Smokey Dave]

I don't know if this helps Rube, but here's the rig I made for my 72 Open Top and my conversion. They're kind of an abbreviated Slim Jim.

[1961MJS]

Slim jims are always appropriate for the early '70s.

Hey Skeeter, I was going to say that from the other side.  An open top shouldn't be in a later era holster, even though open tops and even 1860's were carried for years.  Maybe in a Cheyenne, but I'd go Slim Jim.
Later

[Cliff Fendley]

So, I’m thinking I’ll use Will Ghormley’s Forty Niner pack but if the 1873 SAA pattern don’t fit the 72 Open Top, what does?

Uberti's 72 model does work fine in a SAA holster. It's a bit loose but doesn't get lost down in it or anything. I shoot one with my re enactment rig and it and a Cimarron model P both get swapped back and forth in the same set of holsters.

You can use that pattern and mold the holster to fit the open top and if that is the only gun that goes in the holster it will be a pretty good fit.

[Rube Burrows]

Thanks for all of the comments and photos. I think I have decided to go with the Slim Jim 49er style of holster. May put a simple border stamp on it if the notion hits me at that time.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That's a good choice. They look great with an open top Colt design. A simple border design like you're thinking of really looks good on them.

The Slimjim pattern can be modified easily to look very different without changing the fit and feel of it.

[Rube Burrows]

That's a good choice. They look great with an open top Colt design. A simple border design like you're thinking of really looks good on them.

The Slimjim pattern can be modified easily to look very different without changing the fit and feel of it.

What stamp is that on the bottom holster? The flower one. I like that.
I absolutely love that entire holster. Great job.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

What stamp is that on the bottom holster? The flower one. I like that.
I absolutely love that entire holster. Great job.

That is the small one of a pair of stamps I got some years ago from Will Ghormley that are copies of the two rosette stamps on Frank James' holster.



I added a couple extra impressions to the pedals to give the look I wanted. You may want to send him an email to see if he has any more of those stamps available. Otherwise you need to make the impression from 3 or 4 individual stamps. Will can probably tell you what stamps to use to duplicate it.

[Rube Burrows]

That is the small one of a pair of stamps I got some years ago from Will Ghormley that are copies of the two rosette stamps on Frank James' holster.



I added a couple extra impressions to the pedals to give the look I wanted. You may want to send him an email to see if he has any more of those stamps available. Otherwise you need to make the impression from 3 or 4 individual stamps. Will can probably tell you what stamps to use to duplicate it.

Thanks.
One more question if you don’t mind, any photos of the backs of those two holsters?

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks.
One more question if you don’t mind, any photos of the backs of those two holsters?

Here's the one. I don't have one of the other but they're both the same.

[Rube Burrows]

Here's the one. I don't have one of the other but they're both the same.

Okay. For a min I thought that you made the belt loop by folding over the back part of the holster.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Okay. For a min I thought that you made the belt loop by folding over the back part of the holster.

No, This is the way I make them. I have eliminated the rivet before, though.