Another holster project

[Rancid Crabtree]

My uncle-in-law won a 9mm handgun in a volunteer fireman’s raffle/fundraiser. It didn’t come with a holster. He wants to wear it while bowhunting and asked if I would make him one. I was more than happy to do it.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit1_zpsa9e186eb.jpg

I make holsters and knife sheathes from 6 to 8 Oz tooling leather so I always have a good supply on hand.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit2_zps92f2574d.jpg

It’s a small handgun so scraps will work.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit3_zpse718118e.jpg

I make all my patterns from “crapalloy” which can be found in empty cereal boxes of 24 packs of soda. It creates the rough concept or outline.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit4_zps85bbdff4.jpg

Then the face is wet, allowed to normalize and is then wet fitted to the contour of the handgun with antlers and bones and wooden shaping tools.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit5_zpscc3a9612.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit6_zps8d117da6.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit7_zps9b0e09a7.jpg

It spent Sunday afternoon in the sun to dry and forever lock in that shape.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit8_zps3ad83e56.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit9_zps06879d86.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit91_zps742939f2.jpg

A backing piece is made of the same leather and contact cement holds the pieces from shifting during sewing and riveting and belt loop cutting.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit92_zpsc2c41f3d.jpg

Tubular rivets are used in high stress areas.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit93_zps2c026b2e.jpg

Then stitching holes and belt loops are made.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit94_zps46848c4b.jpg

After hand stitching the excess is trimmed.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit95_zps463ffad0.jpg

I need to make a thumb snap feature.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit96_zps4095ab3c.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit97_zps3a648fdf.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit98_zps414593ae.jpg

So far so good.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit99_zps013ce1c7.jpg

He wants it black and it don’t get any blacker than USMC black.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit991_zps1e922131.jpg

Then edge coat is applied to all the cut edges to keep the fray and swelling down.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit992_zpsdca5344d.jpg

[Rancid Crabtree]

The oils need to be restored.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit993_zpsaf56b06a.jpg

And then waterproofed inside and out.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit994_zpsbc0ec308.jpg

And then a good shine.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit995_zpsdbb5fdf5.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit996_zps8e6c4267.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit997_zps977caed3.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit998_zps73591b92.jpg

Then I gave it a test drive.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/kermit999_zps5a717077.jpg

[Jack]

Wow! That is some nice work, Rancid!

[buckhunter]

Iam so jealous. Dude, you do great work.