I don’t normally put holster rigs in this Gear & Garb column, but this one was so pretty I felt it had to qualify for inclusion—not as gear, but in this case as garb, dress-up garb. In true “BBQ gun” fashion, the carved and spotted rig from Grassburr Leather Works out of Boerne, Texas, would be right at home at any gathering of Texas lawmen, or Cowboy Action shooters, for that matter. Made from quality vegetable-tanned leather, the modified Mexican loop-style holster is fabricated from a laminate of 4- to 5-ounce liner leather that is glued and sewn to a 6- to 7-ounce piece of outer leather that has been carved and tooled in a most attractive manner.
The carving on the pouch is comprised of several leafy flower patterns accented at their centers by synthetic turquois and nickel-plated spots, with areas cut away or skeletonized and lined with a silver material to add further flair to the carving. The holster is of full-skirted design and is nicely proportioned with a full S-recurve that’s flared out for easy re-holstering. A rawhide hammer thong serves to secure one’s weapon when holstered. It’s paired to a similarly carved and spotted 2½-inch-wide cartridge belt that’s complete with 18 weaved cartridge loops centered in the back. It secures via an Al Stohlman-esque, nickel-plated roller buckle and a nickel-plated belt loop. It and the holster are sewn using No. 207 nylon thread for long wear, and all the stitching is tight and uniform.
Handcrafted one at a time at Grassburr Leather Works, the price for a rig will depend on the intricacy of the carving and the extent of the spotting. As an example, the outfit shown here would run a very reasonable $235 ($85 for the holster and $150 for the belt). Available in several colors, the one pictured here is dyed antique brown. (210-687-1717; grassburr.com)
Altamont Grips
Nothing spruces up one’s six-shooter (or any handgun, for that matter) faster or easier than a new pair of custom grips. Although I’m partial to genuine stag and ivory, the cost for these materials has risen sufficiently in recent years to preclude their install on only but a few of my favorite firearms. That doesn’t mean the rest of my “hog legs” wear factory handles. Au contraire! If one knows where to look, some mighty nifty grip alternatives can be found.
BUY NOW! AT Guns Of The Old West.
