Fellows,
Aside from accurate historical design and manufacturing details, my favorite type of holster is more conceptual: I’m partial to the idea of keeping the revolver ‘in’ the holster – something deep and that fits/covers the weapon well.
Not that I’ve ridden much in the last 20 years or so but the idear of keeping that iron secure on my side is appealing – a good thing in situations when you want to ensure you’re still packin’ after a hard ride, downpour at night, being thrown for a tumble or such, rough night at the saloon, etc, etc. A fancy or low cut holster that can loose a gun doesn't make sense to me and I'll wager didn't back in the day to the regular joe either.
This concept isn’t conducive to ‘quick-draw’, or even moderately sorta fast draw, type activities and limits the type of holsters I make and use but there it is.
Interesting question D. Masterson.
YMH&OS,
Brass