Just a warning for you Royal Guard owners, if you sweat, I'd start looking for something else, its a sweat sponge.
This was the last one I used before switching to kydex (I used a couple, usually two in rotation during the summer months). Thats about a months worth of use on a "new" holster in the pic. The duct tape on the back was a feeble attempt at stopping sweat from soaking the holster.
Rough out leather is the last thing you want if you sweat. Standard leather aint all that great either.
On a positive note for Sparks, I've been using their VMII's for a couple of years now, except for the summer/warmer months, and they work very well. They have been one of the more comfortable and stable holsters I've used. Their quality and craftsmanship are well worth the wait and/or extra money they demand.