Snubnose Carved Holster

I start off with stiff paper and design the holster. I can wrap this around the gun itself to see how it will fit, and I can make changes as needed. Once I’m done with that, I make a clean outline on a new sheet and cut it out with scissors.

Laying out a new pattern

Once I picked out the design I want to carve in the leather, I size it to the leather itself and transfer it. I carve the outlines of the design into the leather with a swivel knife.

Carving the outline with a swivel knife

Then I can go back and add the shading with any details.

Filling in the shading

The first coating of leather dye is laid on the leather, allowed to dry, and the excess buffed smooth.

The first coat of leather dye

All of the snaps are placed next, and any belt loops are stitched in. This way, they are hidden under the leather liner to prevent them from scratching the gun metal or being exposed to the elements.

The belt loop and snaps

A suede liner is fitted and glued into place.

Gluing in a liner

The liner is trimmed even with the holster, amd prepped for welts.

Trimming the liner and prepping the welt

Once the welts are glued in, the holster is folded over and stitched. So the leather is glued and stitched for extra strength. If needed, a small rivet can be punched into place at the stress points of the holster for even more strength.

The edges are sanded even and buffed smooth. The last step is edge dressing on the sanded edges and a final coating of leather dye to make the color even.

The holster ready for the pistol

The holster is dampened and the revolver is oiled and put in. I generally like to let the holster sit overnight with the pistol stuck in it to form it to the gun. The heavy oiling prevents the metal finish of the gun from getting any surface rust on it.

The pistol in the holster