Best holster for 1851 Navy?

gav1230 · October 2, 2015, 12:46 PM

I'm looking for a nice leather holster for my 1851 navy, I'm looking for a military style flap holster but I'd be happy with any that is period correct

swathdiver · October 2, 2015, 01:48 PM

Best quality and or best price? Dells Leather Works makes some nice ones and Dixie Gun Works offers some as well. Just two of many.

I bought two inexpensive ones for the kids and they smelled like urine, had to leave them outside for two months before the smell went away but they have held up well after two years of light use; Mountain State Supply was the company.

Hawg · October 2, 2015, 03:16 PM

Quote:

I bought two inexpensive ones for the kids and they smelled like urine,

Cheap Mexican leather is urine tanned. It's often elaborately tooled and is good heavy leather but the smell will gag a maggot especially if it gets wet.

Fingers McGee · October 2, 2015, 10:22 PM

Check El Paso Saddlery. I've gotten a few things from them over the years. All high quality stuff. There are a few custom makers that I've used also.

drobs · October 4, 2015, 01:43 AM

Check out the Flap Holsters at:
https://www.fcsutler.com/fcleather.asp

Here's mine bought from there 12 some years ago:

They look nicer when new. Mine has been beaten up over the years - mostly storage.

Series70 · October 8, 2015, 01:16 AM

Drobs,

Thanks for the link to Fall Creek Sutlers. I've been looking for the correct holster for a Navy Colt, and that shop is a real find!

drobs · October 8, 2015, 02:20 AM

You bet. They usually set up a large tent at Civil War Re-enactments around the country and have all sorts of neat stuff for sale including BP Guns, Leather Gear, Uniforms, etc. I saw them in Illinois years ago and grabbed a business card.

I bought that Pietta, Holster, spare cylinder box, and a fork tongue belt from their website.

The only thing I wasn't impressed by was the belt. The buckle is nice but the belt is rough (unfinished) leather on the back side.

The holster and cylinder box are good quality for the price.

gyvel · October 8, 2015, 03:42 AM

Look on eBay; They always have a bunch for sale. Usually the used ones are priced very cheap, coz they don't look shiny and new. I've gotten several for my various BP guns for less than $15.00.

**4V50 Gary** · October 8, 2015, 09:33 AM

I like flap holsters for the protection they offer.

ZVP · October 18, 2015, 12:11 PM

Cabela's Hickock rig.
can be worn cross-draw too!
Under $30

BerdanSS · October 18, 2015, 02:22 PM

I bought a cross draw slim Jim from cabelas. Very disappointed with it. Cheap leather, bad stitching and worst of all....glue.

I can personally say you would not be disappointed with fall creek for a period correct military flap holster. I only live about 45 minutes from their retail store, and I know the owner and his son. Neither Andy or David will do you wrong.

If you want a really nice open top holster check out oldpueblosaddle.com/slim-jim-holsters
Allen is the best IMO, i absolutely will not buy a slim Jim holster from anyone but him ever again.

swathdiver · October 18, 2015, 02:26 PM

I failed to mention in my earlier post that the two we purchased are also historically correct in stitching and style, the temporary stink was worth it for the price paid, they do daily duty of storing sixguns; rust free mind you. The girls make their own now and like the fast draw styles.

**4V50 Gary** · October 18, 2015, 05:14 PM

BTW Hawg, where did you hear that Mexican holsters are tanned with urine?

drobs · October 18, 2015, 11:18 PM

Looking a little closer at FC Sutler's website, looks like they have changed pattern and fit a bit since I bought my holster from them. I don't recall my holster being tight when new but it's been awhile.

https://www.fcsutler.com/fcholsterpage.asp

Looking at http://www.dellsleatherworks.com/holsters.htm that Swathdiver mentioned, the holsters look pretty good. I almost wonder if they are not the same holsters that FC Sutler carries. If I was home I'd take a look at the maker's stamp.

44 Dave · October 19, 2015, 07:14 AM

I have a left and a right flap holsters from Dixie, I opted for their Remington model because it has a round sewed bottom as opposed to the pinched and sewed flat.
I use them for Rem. '58, Colt '60 and '51, they were stiff but after oiling them they can't be beat for around $20

Perldog007 · October 26, 2015, 02:14 PM

I like the dixie cheap pakistani made sewn end for the 51. The strap is long enough to punch another hole so I can put the flap behind the holster and belt loop for an open holster. The left hand model wears nice in a cross draw for right hand work and the cant is right for twist or calvary draw. It's also inexpenisve enough that I punched a couple more holes and added a tie down loop for the hammer so if I'm going 'open top' the gun won't fall out if I go "Maverick" and start flying inverted, or more likely at my age take the belt off ....

Here is a partial pic of my holster with the flap strapped back as described...

BlackPowderBen · October 26, 2015, 02:46 PM

"The strap is long enough to punch another hole so I can put the flap behind the holster and belt loop for an open holster"

That's a great idea!

BlackPowderBen · October 26, 2015, 02:50 PM

check this one out

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cabelas-7182...4AAOSw14xWKrRb

Dixies flap holsters are $15.95

October 2, 2015, 12:46 PM	#1
gav1230 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Posts: 148	Best holster for 1851 Navy? I'm looking for a nice leather holster for my 1851 navy, I'm looking for a military style flap holster but I'd be happy with any that is period correct __________________ "When a free man dies, he loses the pleasure of life. A slave loses his pain. Death is the only freedom a slave knows. That's why he's not afraid of it. That's why we'll win." - Stanley Kubrick's "Sparticus", 1960.

October 2, 2015, 01:48 PM	#2
swathdiver Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Location: Treasure Coast, Florida Posts: 335	Best quality and or best price? Dells Leather Works makes some nice ones and Dixie Gun Works offers some as well. Just two of many. I bought two inexpensive ones for the kids and they smelled like urine, had to leave them outside for two months before the smell went away but they have held up well after two years of light use; Mountain State Supply was the company. __________________ “Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.” - Job 38:3

October 2, 2015, 10:22 PM	#4
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	Check El Paso Saddlery. I've gotten a few things from them over the years. All high quality stuff. There are a few custom makers that I've used also. __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

October 8, 2015, 02:20 AM	#7
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	You bet. They usually set up a large tent at Civil War Re-enactments around the country and have all sorts of neat stuff for sale including BP Guns, Leather Gear, Uniforms, etc. I saw them in Illinois years ago and grabbed a business card. I bought that Pietta, Holster, spare cylinder box, and a fork tongue belt from their website. The only thing I wasn't impressed by was the belt. The buckle is nice but the belt is rough (unfinished) leather on the back side. The holster and cylinder box are good quality for the price. Last edited by drobs; October 8, 2015 at 02:29 AM.

October 8, 2015, 03:42 AM	#8
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Look on eBay; They always have a bunch for sale. Usually the used ones are priced very cheap, coz they don't look shiny and new. I've gotten several for my various BP guns for less than $15.00. __________________ As always, YMMV. __________________________________________ MIIAA SIFE

October 4, 2015, 01:43 AM	#5
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	Check out the Flap Holsters at: https://www.fcsutler.com/fcleather.asp Here's mine bought from there 12 some years ago: They look nicer when new. Mine has been beaten up over the years - mostly storage.

October 8, 2015, 01:16 AM	#6
Series70 Member Join Date: January 29, 2010 Posts: 78	Drobs, Thanks for the link to Fall Creek Sutlers. I've been looking for the correct holster for a Navy Colt, and that shop is a real find!

October 8, 2015, 09:33 AM	#9
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	I like flap holsters for the protection they offer. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 18, 2015, 12:11 PM	#10
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	Cabela's Hickock rig. can be worn cross-draw too! Under $30

October 18, 2015, 02:22 PM	#11
BerdanSS Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Location: to close to other houses Posts: 1,176	I bought a cross draw slim Jim from cabelas. Very disappointed with it. Cheap leather, bad stitching and worst of all....glue. I can personally say you would not be disappointed with fall creek for a period correct military flap holster. I only live about 45 minutes from their retail store, and I know the owner and his son. Neither Andy or David will do you wrong. If you want a really nice open top holster check out oldpueblosaddle.com/slim-jim-holsters Allen is the best IMO, i absolutely will not buy a slim Jim holster from anyone but him ever again. __________________ One day, Men in tall hats will thump their chests and proclaim..."oh, what a great sea of mud we lived in"--The unalterable fate of billy creek .... "Smoke.....it's what's for dinner"

October 18, 2015, 02:26 PM	#12
swathdiver Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Location: Treasure Coast, Florida Posts: 335	I failed to mention in my earlier post that the two we purchased are also historically correct in stitching and style, the temporary stink was worth it for the price paid, they do daily duty of storing sixguns; rust free mind you. The girls make their own now and like the fast draw styles. __________________ “Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.” - Job 38:3 Last edited by swathdiver; October 18, 2015 at 09:01 PM.

October 18, 2015, 05:14 PM	#13
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	BTW Hawg, where did you hear that Mexican holsters are tanned with urine? __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 18, 2015, 11:18 PM	#14
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	Looking a little closer at FC Sutler's website, looks like they have changed pattern and fit a bit since I bought my holster from them. I don't recall my holster being tight when new but it's been awhile. https://www.fcsutler.com/fcholsterpage.asp Looking at http://www.dellsleatherworks.com/holsters.htm that Swathdiver mentioned, the holsters look pretty good. I almost wonder if they are not the same holsters that FC Sutler carries. If I was home I'd take a look at the maker's stamp. Last edited by drobs; October 18, 2015 at 11:36 PM.

October 19, 2015, 07:14 AM	#15
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	I have a left and a right flap holsters from Dixie, I opted for their Remington model because it has a round sewed bottom as opposed to the pinched and sewed flat. I use them for Rem. '58, Colt '60 and '51, they were stiff but after oiling them they can't be beat for around $20

October 26, 2015, 02:14 PM	#16
Perldog007 Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2007 Location: Estados Unitas / United States Posts: 986	Dixie sewn end I like the dixie cheap pakistani made sewn end for the 51. The strap is long enough to punch another hole so I can put the flap behind the holster and belt loop for an open holster. The left hand model wears nice in a cross draw for right hand work and the cant is right for twist or calvary draw. It's also inexpenisve enough that I punched a couple more holes and added a tie down loop for the hammer so if I'm going 'open top' the gun won't fall out if I go "Maverick" and start flying inverted, or more likely at my age take the belt off .... Here is a partial pic of my holster with the flap strapped back as described...

October 26, 2015, 02:46 PM	#17
BlackPowderBen Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2015 Posts: 380	"The strap is long enough to punch another hole so I can put the flap behind the holster and belt loop for an open holster" That's a great idea! __________________ "If you have to shoot, shoot! Dont talk"

October 26, 2015, 02:50 PM	#18
BlackPowderBen Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2015 Posts: 380	check this one out http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cabelas-7182...4AAOSw14xWKrRb Dixies flap holsters are $15.95 __________________ "If you have to shoot, shoot! Dont talk"