S.C. Gallup & Co. SAA Holster

[BrushyCreekDouglas]

Afternoon Gents,


Decided to to try my hand at new holster today. It’s a pretty basic California style featured on page 89 of Packing Iron. In the blurb it states this holster was made by S.C. Gallup & Co in Dodge City sometime between 1875-1879. I’ve been trying to get a decent catalog of patterns that would’ve been around during the hide hunter years. This one, though simple has long been one of my favorites.


The main difference I made to the original was the weight of leather used. I opted for a 7-8oz instead of the listed “heavy skirting stock”, this weight actually turned out quite nice. Also I made it for a 5 1/2” SAA rather than a 7 1/2”.

I’ll be the first to admit that pattern making is not my favorite part of leatherworking, not by a long shot. However, it is extremely satisfying when the pattern is finally refined enough to cut leather.

Hope everyone doing well!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Looks great. That holster is one of my favorites, too. The simple clean lines make quite a pleasing holster.

[Johnny McCrae]

Very nice. Clean and neat. My kind of Rig. I agree that making your own patterns is satisfying and also lots of fun. Many thanks for sharing this with us.

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[Cliff Fendley]

The more patterns you get the easier it becomes. Besides experience in making them you can find a couple that are close and trace that pattern on first and that lets you know the general size it needs to be in certain areas. I guess I probably have way over 100 patterns I've made hanging on the wall.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

The more patterns you get the easier it becomes. Besides experience in making them you can find a couple that are close and trace that pattern on first and that lets you know the general size it needs to be in certain areas. I guess I probably have way over 100 patterns I've made hanging on the wall.

Whew. Here I thought I had made way too many patterns. It's good to know I'm not alone.

Actually, I find the same you do about starting with one or two that are close and adjusting the new one from there.