HISTORICAL GUN LEATHER ARCHAEOLOGY © 2015

By Alan Soellner

Chisholm’s Trail Old West leather has been making gun leather for about 15 years. We rapidly found that our niche and what we really enjoy doing was researching and recreating historical cowboy gun leather. We have found some of the most famous rigs from the old west, partially by scholastic research, a large dose of luck, and traveling thousands of miles to examine the original. Are our resurrected gun leather creations perfect, probably not, but they are as close as we can get without disassembling the rig and laying it out flat and tracing a pattern.
One of our best customers coined a new term “Historical Gun leather Archeologists ©,” for what we do. Our best description is the scientific research of historic old west outlaws, lawmen, and others. Analyzing their culture, all known artifacts, gun leather, buckles, inscriptions, wanted posters, writings, signatures, photos, paintings and other such remains and relics, especially those that have been excavated, discovered, sold, or handed down in families. Tracking provenance is paramount in this search. Hours must be spent on the internet, in libraries, reading books, periodicals, and newspapers of the period.
A potential target is then located and a personal visit is scheduled. This is where we found it critical to develop personal relationships with museum curators and owners of authentic old west gun leather. We created our own “C.S.I” kit with white acid free gloves to handle old fragile leather. Magnifying glasses, tape measures, high intensity flashlights, leather gages, and a very high resolution camera are some other contents.

Jesse Shoulder Holster research

We developed a Historical Gun Leather Archaeology analysis form that we use to record findings such as stitches per inch, width and thickness of the leather, markings including tooling, stamping, and maker’s names. The type of gun, barrel length and caliber are critical items that we record.
When we have accumulated enough data we reproduce the holster, belt and buckle for posterity we return to the shop and study all the data. If we do not have the stamps or other features that are on the leather we get replica stamps made so we can reproduce all of the features possible. This gets expensive and difficult when we have to employ an artist and jeweler to recreate a buckle, an engraver to apply the design, a mold maker, and a foundry to cast the buckle.
Chisholm’s Trail Leather currently has over 600 individual patterns to recreate holsters, belts, buckles, knife sheaths, saddle bags, rifle scabbards, pouches, spur straps, hat bands, and other cowboy leather gear. Each pattern is in a labeled manila envelope stored in alphabetically organized penda flex hanging files in file cabinets.

LEGEND OF THE LOST ~

LEGEND OF THE LOST

The prototype is finished, IN STOCK and ready to ship. Another pseudo western movie filmed in 1957 with some of the biggest stars of the era. The story line involves chasing after a long lost treasure in the Sahara desert. In this film, the Dukes rig consists of a period 2 1/4″ wide Sam Brown belt with a double tongue, solid brass, Sam Brown buckle. The belt has no bullet loops and the holster is reminiscent of his normal trademark leather except for the toe that is sewn closed. The gun is very unique in that it is a Swiss Model 1882 revolver in 7.5 MM caliber. Our set is made for a Colt SAA but we can adjust the pattern to fit an S&W or Colt double action. Belt, double tongue buckle, and holster set with normal Sam Brown buckle ~ $274.95 For a more authentic buckle, yours can be made with a genuine battle used, pre-WW1 Sam Brown buckle. Grab a piece of history for $24.95 more. Belt, double tongue buckle, and holster ~ $299.95

BJ- 78 SBH- SAM BROWNE DOUBLE TONGUE ORIGINAL BUCKLES SETS ~

SAM BROWNE BUCKLE SETS

We have been fortunate to obtain a “cashe” of pre and post WW ONE original Sam Browne complete buckle sets. The belts were in combat and were unusable so the brass parts have been carefully removed and preserved. They have not been buffed or cleaned up, but kept in their original state with patina. We have both the 2″ and the 2 1/4″ available as stock lasts. The enlisted men were issued a plain unlined belt with out lining or fancy stitching. The officers were required to obtain their own personal gear as long as the size and look fell into certain parameters. As a result the buckles varied greatly in their basic look as did the belts and the fancy stitching. Sold as sets only ~ $49.95

INTERNATIONAL AGENT

The new SIG SAUER P – 938 is probably the most dependable 9MM auto in the smallest size available today. Our International Agent holster provides a little FBI cant and the small auto is well seated and balanced  in this holster in relation to the belt. We also give you enough room between the grip and the holster to get your hand around the gun to pull it out. With edge groove ~ $99.95. With one line of edge stamping ~ $119.95. With special “knurled” hand tooling ~ $124.95. With full coverage like basket weave or flowers & vines ~ $149.95. Single and double clip pouches available.

Click on photo for large view

HH- PANCHO VILLA

This unique holster style is from the Mexican Revolution period. Notice the low cut front to allow for a faster draw. This pattern was traced from the original which had all the decoration shown actually hand sewn in a method called “Piteado,” which used the fibers from cactus as thread. Our version involves hand tooling and a pigskin lining. The back ground is hand darkened for contrast. Note the rampant Mexican eagle with a snake in its beak sitting on a cactus in the center. The belt has a scalloped lower edge and lazy S style tooling on the top and bottom. There are 5 domed conchos made from actual antique Mexican coins as well as a wide buckle adorned with flowers and vines. The color is saddle tan with a chocolate background. The rig, as shown, with one holster ~ $450.

PANCHO VILLA

FOR A LARGER VIEW CLICK ON PHOTO

ASL 6 COMBAT

My first impression on removing the ASL-6 from its packaging was how solid it felt – a reassuring heft with clean, functional lines and a comfortable, hand-filling grip. The “taco” style kydex sheath and belt-clip are likewise simple in their execution, yet highly flexible (and ambidextrous) in deployment. My initial, positive impressions were all borne out (and then some) over the following days as I put the knife through a modest range of tasks. The ASL-6 is no lightweight, but it balances very nicely across the double guard with a slight handle heaviness that lends welcome agility to the blade. The 3/16” 1095 blade itself is extremely robust with a nicely executed convex grind and a sturdy drop-point thicker than most yet still capable of fine cutting tasks. This is a knife that epitomizes the “KISS” principle with features that allow it to perform well in a broad range of tactical and bushcraft roles from functional fighter to baton-friendly splitter of firewood. In short, the ASL-6 has everything you need, and nothing that you don’t. The Canvas Micarta grip scales feature comfortable palm-swells which afford a very positive grip whether wet or dry. In keeping with the knife’s multi-role nature, the beveled pommel is equally at home breaking glass or crushing skulls while the lanyard hole provides retention or a third point for lashing the blade to a pole (together with the holes in either side of the guard).

ASL 6 COMBAT

In its sheath the ASL-6 allows for comfortable belt-carry not possible with larger blades or inferior sheath designs. Alternatively, the sheath’s clip and lashing points provide for near-limitless modes of carry on all types of load-bearing equipment. This is a knife equally at home in the local bush or the Hinu Kush. Its near-perfect blend of simplicity and functionality make the ASL-6 a terrific all-around performer. It is a capable fighter when necessary and an excellent camp knife in near every regard. Equally at home chopping wood, cutting rope or skinning game – whatever your task the ASL-6 is ready.

Mark Campbell

Major (Retired)

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light

27 years Mechanized and Airborne Light Infantry

ASL 6 COMBAT

We were very surprised and did not know this article was coming out on our new (Air, Sea, & Land) ASL -6 Tactical knife with the 6″ blade. This is the one knife you will ever need for survival, tactical, or bushcraft needs. This magazine is out now on the news stands as of February 2015. It is the MARCH-APRIL 2015. Volume 29. No.2 in case your bookstore is out of copies. You can order this issue or subscribe to KNIVES ILLUSTRATED by contacting them at this address:magazine-order.com

KNIVES ILLUSTRATED MARCH – APRIL 2015 ISSUE

ASL-6 ONE TOUGH KNIFE

ASL – 6 SHEATH

ASL – 6 SPECS

SURVIVING WITH ASL – 6

SPLITTING WOOD WITH ASL – 6

This is the new ad that will be in the next issue of the “American Frontiersman.” There will also be a very nice article on our ASL knives in the same issue. This new magazine is worth getting a subscription to for the articles on survival and living on the frontier.

 BANDOLIERS 

WILD BUNCH BANDOLIER

Click on photos for a larger image

We have always been interested in the various ways military, law enforcement, and civilians carried their ammo back in “the day.” The encyclopedia says there are two spellings and both are right “ban·do·leer or ban·do·lier” and explains that it is a belt fitted with small pockets or loops for carrying cartridges and worn across the chest by soldiers. It was usually slung sash-style over the left shoulder because most people are right handed. This keeps the belt off of the right shoulder where the rifle stock is going to be when shooting. In addition, the bullet loops or pouches are then in good reach of your right hand to reload. A second belt with ammunition pockets was often photographed being across the midriff. At this point we would like to give a thank you to Grant of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada for his gracious input and consulting on our bandolier research. This post and article will continually change as new data and photos are found

If you ask just about anyone, the name “ Bandolier” immediately brings to mind an image of banditos along the border or gringos fighting for gold with Pancho Villa, galloping soldiers with criss crossed belts full of rifle and pistol bullets, or Mexican revolutionaries invading New Mexico. When you begin to study the research you will find that there were many variations of this belt at the turn of the century and they were more complex than just loops on a  belt.

The Bandolier’s popularity got a huge booster shot in the arm after the 1969 western “The Wild Bunch,” by director/co-writer Sam Peckinpah. You can clearly see the Pattern 1882 flap bandolier, as well as the open loop style, being worn by Ben Johnson as a member of an aging outlaw band on the Texas-Mexico border struggling to exist as the changing world at the turn of the century threatens to engulf them. The Bandolier next was constantly visible in the “Star Wars”  series of movies. Up until this point most bandoliers, even pre-1900 styles were plentiful and could be purchased for a very low price. Now, with so many folks collecting and re-enacting both of these movies, prices for good examples often go for over $200.00 if they can be found. One hundred year originals are often brittle or moldy and are not suitable for rough use. Therefore quality reproductions are actively sought after. At this time, with our research we can not find an American made flap bandolier of any style available. Chisholm’s Trail will now produce bandoliers with the best quality possible and made in the USA. Steer clear of foreign reproductions, they are very thin and have a terrible chemical smell which just can not be removed.

Three basic styles were prevalent: those with exposed bullets and loops,  others with the loops and bullets covered with a flap, and finally actual pockets with flaps.  The number of bullets and placement varied greatly as well as the makers. Homemade bandoliers usually were just loops sewn onto a belt and secured with a single or double tongue buckle. Colors ranged from natural through the shades of brown and black. As bullets changed, the folks that wore bandoliers found ways to tighten or open up the loops to fit the newer cartridge sizes. Many leather crafters copied bandoliers for their customers when military sources did not provide enough or other sizes were needed. In the US we refer to items as Model number or name. In Britain the items are called Pattern this or that.

STRAIGHT & CURVED

The most common flap styles were variants of the British and other commonwealth nations. These saw use from the Turkish Ottoman Empire to the Mexican revolution and on to WW1 & WW2. The photo on the left shows the common straight belt with loops next to the curved 1882 bandolier belt.

BANDOLIER 1882

1882 PATTERN-  The earliest style often seen, after the looped style, was the British 1882 Pattern Cavalry bandolier. This was for the Martini-Henry Rifle. The bullet loops were originally .50 caliber, but later .303 was added. The large loops will also hold any .50 caliber round, 45.70, or .410 shot gun shells.  Each ten bullet loop section had a flap that covered them securing with two Sam Brown Studs and straps. There were four large flaps and two smaller flaps with a fewer number of shells. (We will be offering this version and will be making a single pouch for pant belt use ) (Original in the Chisholm’s Trail cowboy leather collection)

1888 BANDOLIER

1888 PATTERN- Next was the 303 LEE METFORD “88”  Pattern which had five flaps attached to a belt. Under Each flap were five bullet loops. Each flap was oval and secured with a strap from the bottom attaching to a Sam Brown stud on the flap itself. The color was darker brown. (We will be offering this version and will be making a single pouch for pant belt use )    (Original in the Chisholm’s Trail cowboy leather collection)

1888 BANDOLIER OPEN

1901 BANDOLIER TOP

1901 PATTERN- The “01” Pattern had 12 pouches and flaps and the bullet end protruded through holes in the bottom of each pouch. The brass buckle has two tongues.  Notice the rivets holding the pouches to the belt. (We will be working on this version and will be making a single pouch for pant belt use)

We are looking for an original of this style. If you have one you would sell or let us borrow for a pattern, we would be grateful!

   PATTERN 1901 Bandolier with bullets poking through holes in the bottom.    

1901 BANDOLIER BOTTOM

1903 BANDOLIER

1903 PATTERN-The next improvement, and most commonly found, was  the “03” pattern which had five actual pouches with flaps. In this case the flap had a button hole and secured to the pouch with a Sam Brown stud. Each pouch often had a separating strap if you wanted to put a stripper clips of rifle bullets in each side. The two halves of the bandolier buckled under the right arm and attached to a pyramid piece of brass hardware. Dropping down from this was another strap that attached to your waist belt, securing the bandolier from flopping around. As you can imagine the various cavalry units on all sides found this indispensable and quickly adopted it as a standard. This new and comfortable design was worn from the turn of the century to the end of WW2. There were five pouches on the front and occasionally the bandolier had an additional four on the back.                                                                          (We will be offering this version and will be making a single pouch for pant belt use )  (Original in the Chisholm’s Trail cowboy leather collection)   

Chisholm’s Trail will be reproducing some of these and will be getting assistance with others to keep the prices reasonable. Order yours today to develop your Bandito persona or carry your Wild Bunch ammo.

For those of you who like to read magazine articles and study Tactical, Survival, & Bushcraft knife evaluations you will be interested in this one. Phil Elmore, noted knife evaluator and author of many articles on knives and sheaths has just finished his stress testing on our flagship ASL 5 TACTICAL / SURVIVAL  knife for the Martialist (online self-defense publication) See : themartialist.net . This article will be released later this month. Here is your chance to get a preview. If you ever need photos of your knives or weapons we recommend Phil and his work. You can reach him at <phil@philelmore.com>.  Here are some of the photos that will be in the article:     Click on any photo for  a larger view ~

TACTICAL & SURVIVAL CHOPPING:

TESTING THE EDGE

 KYDEX SHEATH CAN BE WORN IN OVER 20 DIFFERENT POSITIONS

VERTICAL CARRY OPTION

 GREAT FIT TO THE HAND WITH PALM SWELL AND FLUSH RIVETS:

PERFECT FIT

SHARP AND CRISP SLICING AFTER TESTING:

FINE CUTTING AFTER TESTING

 THE ASL-5 STANDS ALONE FOR TACTICAL OR SURVIVAL PERFORMANCE

BEST TACTICAL SURVIVAL KNIFE AVAILABLE

 “Do Everything” role of the tactical fixed blade, review by Phil Elmore for the Martialist (online self-defense publication) See : themartialist.net

The do-everything tactical fixed blade: It is the holy grail, of sorts, to some knife users, who want to find a single knife they can use for field tasks, self-defense, survival, bushcraft, and any other utility task (both anticipated and otherwise) that can arise.  Otherwise sane men slam helpless sharpened knives into cinder blocks and baton them through thick slabs of wood in the vain attempt to prove that some knife, any knife, THIS knife, is “THE” knife for military, survival, and civilian utility purposes.  The reality is that, in skilled hands, any knife that is reasonably well made and whose design is reasonably thought out can serve this purpose.  Design, however, still means something.  Both the conception and the execution of a knife make it more or less useful for the “do everything” role of the tactical fixed blade.  To evaluate one, then, you must ask yourself: If this were my knife, would it do everything I required of it?

Such was the question the staff of The Martialist asked of Alan and Donna Soellner, of ASL Tactical – Chisholm’s Trail (www.westernleatherholster.com).  We first encountered Alan and Donna  at the 2014 Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia.  They had with them a new knife and were launching a new aspect to their business with it.  This is, specifically, a tactical fixed blade called the ASL 5 (“Recon Model”).

“We have been making high quality Old West and modern gun leather, Bowie knives, and knife sheaths for over ten years,” Alan told The Martialist.  “Currently we produce over 50 different styles.”  It was only recently, however, that Alan and Donna’s customers began asking for a “serious” tactical knife and a sheath to go with it.  “We created an input design form and sent this out to many members of the Special Forces, including Green Berets, Navy SEALS, Marine Recon and Raiders, and Air Force Commandos,” explained Alan.  “The data on these completed forms designed the look and statistics of this knife.”

The ASL 5 is a heavy drop-point tactical knife with canvas micarta handles and flush rivets with an ergonomic palm swell. There is a full guard with counter sunk holes for paracord. The knife also has a glass-breaker tip at the butt end (which also has a grommet hole).  Overall blade length is 4-7/8 inches long by 1-1/2 inches wide and the total knife length is 10 ¼”.  The overall weight is less than one pound (although the knife does indeed feel substantial in the hand). The cutting edge is flat ground.

Alan explains that the size of the knife was specifically chosen to keep it handy for field tasks and relatively legal for open carry across multiple locations (although no knife can be legal everywhere). The full guard was included to prevent injury during working and in combat. A powder coat was incorporated to protect the steel and reduce the potential for reflections in the field.

The Soellners offer both a Kydex “Shadow Sheath” and a leather “Assault Sheath.”  Our sample came with the Kydex model and it is extremely well made. The knife can be extracted relatively easily, but it rides securely and locks into place positively, without rattling or shifting when sheathed.  Everything is nicely rounded and the sheath exhibits very nice quality of workmanship.  The marketing copy included with the knife claims there are 32 different possible carry positions (there are multiple pictures showing you different ways to mount the knife on your person).  The leather Assault Sheath, which we did not evaluate, includes MOLLE grommets top and bottom with multiple methods for securing the blade in the sheath.

The knife itself proved a very able field tool.  The nicely honed drop point blade speaks for itself, though, as does the extremely ergonomic handle.  The canvas micarta provides good traction, while the contours of the handle have no hot spots.  Extended use did not produce fatigue or blisters, even when hacking through two-by-fours with the knife.  The pommel, likewise, produced deep dents in wood without any appreciable damage. The handle is quite thick, which will make it well suited for large hands.  Users with smaller hands might find it a little chunky but still very usable.

The knife was used for a variety of farm and field chores, acquitting itself well in all cases.  It hacked apart natural and processed wood, dug  deep chunks from stumps, made kindling strips, and still cut vegetables cleanly afterward. There was no damage to the edge and it required very little touch-up sharpening even after these tasks.

As a fighting knife, the ASL 5 is heavy enough that it is not as quick as some models we’ve tested, but its strength makes a good tradeoff for the weight.  I would not feel ill-equipped if this were the weapon I had for self-defense, especially if I were wearing the Kydex sheath concealed under clothing.

“Coming soon,” Alan Soellner promises, “will be tube attachments that allow for a diamond sharpening rod, a high grade file steel, or a small survival kit [to be carried on the sheath].  Each Kydex sheath comes with an additional Malice clip for securing to MOLLE strips on gear. The black grommets allow paracord to be laced through them to attach to most other items.”

This is an excellent knife.  I used it confidently for any number of utility tasks without worrying that it would fail or that I would otherwise damage it.  The market is — perhaps to the knife user’s delight — glutted with tactical fixed blades, many of which will do if they are all you have.  The ASL 5 is a knife you could (and I would) gladly choose for daily carry in the field or on the street.  It deserves consideration on that basis.

KS- 49 BOWIE KNIFE AND BULLET LOOP SHEATH

Heavy drop point 9″ Bowie blade, solid brass guard and hardwood handle. Also available- higher quality stag slab coffin handle and better steel blade at a additional price. 14″ overall length. Bowie sheath has 10 loops in your caliber on each side. Backside has flap with Sam Brown stud to allow you to put on or take off your gun belt without having to take your belt off. Designed by a SASS shooter for SASS matches. Can be made for any hand gun cartridge.  Great for use in SASS or COWS cowboy action shooting stages. Sheath alone with loops on front side only~ $149.95. Sheath alone with bullet loops on both sides ~ $174.95. As shown with Bowie knife ~ $274.95

BULLET LOOP SHEATH

BULLET LOOP BACK FLAP