As Jack Nicholson asked in A FEW GOOD MEN, "what are you
going to ask me next, what is my favorite color?"

No, I am wondering if you are as confused by colors as I am.
When they say a holster is black, that is easy to understand.

It isn't enough to have just tan. They have to have saddle tan,
beige, rust, British tan, light brown, etc. etc.

We have dark brown too, and chocolate, and an old favorite
olive drab. Lots of colors for holsters.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about. I don't know how
well the colors will come through in the photos, but I'll give it
a try.

Oxblood is described as a dark, dull, reddish-brown. My Silver
Dollar pancake by Simply Rugged is called Oxblood. On the left.

The color is almost identical to the Gaylord speed scabbard from
Price Western, that they call Havana. 2nd from left.

Burgundy is a dark purplish-red to blackish-red color. I would
say my pancake holster from KD is burgundy in color, but the
alligator trim is more like oxblood. 3rd from left.

Cordovan, although technically a leather, is a rich shade of
brownish burgundy. It's color is sometimes called oxblood and
burgundy. My Delfatti IWB holster trimmed in shark is called
cordovan, but it looks black. In good light I can see the tinge
of brown. 4th from left.

I was reading this older post this morning and decided I needed
a better example of what is sometimes called Cordovan. The
holster in the 5th from left photo is a Eubanks made for the 7.5"
Colt's Cavalry. The belt is by Texas Gunslingers and they call it
Cordovan.

Now, you can join in my confusion, or add to it if you prefer.

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In Omnia Paratus

Indeed, it's take's time and astute interest to stay abreast of the subtle nuances of high fashion leather and other goods. Not to mention they have inundated the Kydex holster's with a plethora of colors and designs.....In my world there are two colors for gun holsters......Flat dark earth and black...although Flat dark earth is becoming increasingly difficult to to the different designer shades of FDE....

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Hipcocked45

Crazyphil, you forgot to mention "tobacco" and "nicotine" as color choices...

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

Oh there are lots more.

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In Omnia Paratus

You're right but I am not confused. If I want black I say black, if I want ANY shade of brown I say brown, and if I want burgundy/oxblood I say that. After that I am done.

I have never seen a leather holster done in FDE but now I want one - whatever shade it might be!!! Who makes those!!??

I'm not big on black which makes it harder to guest what they mean when they say tan or brown. I like El Paso Saddlery's Russett which is more or less someone else's Tan but not necessarily a good match.
It helps when they have GOOD color photos

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Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA

I give up. What is FDE?

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In Omnia Paratus

LOL I take it you haven't bought "Paint" lately.......

as a 'guy" I can identify the 8 basic crayon colors..... and the 6(?) in the rainbow...... after that it's all "Women's Greek"!!!!!!

I mean ....... WTH............. is "Puce"????????

Flat Dark Earth.....shade optional

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Hipcocked45

Beige...I think I'll paint the ceiling beige.

Havana Brown was an old school name for the Reddish brown

So you think you are confused?

Wait until you try to pick the colour for your Audi.

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Expect the unexpected

The question is moot for an IWB. The holster is not seen therefore no need to match colors for sartorial correctness.
However if OWB, one must match the color of the holster to the belt, shoes and wrist watch band. If plain brown holster, you must not wear black pants, belt, or shoes. Brown only may be worn.
However, any browns with a red hue, either brown or black clothing may be chosen.
Conversely with an OWB black holster, brown may not be worn.
Correct fashion would dictate one should have a brown, black and a "reddish-brown" holster. Thus, all would be available to meet any social occasion.

KHW, That’s why I like paddle holsters

Not to even mention different length belts... high rise, medium rise, low rise jeans

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

I AM VERY CONFUSED BY ALL OF THESE COLORS, SO MANY YEARS AGO, I OPTED FOR A SIMPLE SOLUTION......

ANY LEATHER GOODS THAT I WORE THROUGH THE YEARS--FROM COWBOY BOOTS (WHICH I WORE EVERYDAY, EVEN WITH SUITS), TO FASHION BELTS, GUNBELTS, HOLSTERS, AMMO POUCHES, KNIFE SHEATHS, ETC--IF I PURCHASED BRAND NEW, I ORDERED THEM IN BLACK.

OF COURSE, SOMETIMES YOU RUN INTO A PRODUCT THAT IS NOT OFFERED IN BLACK. OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, SOME EXAMPLES ARE THE SIMPLY RUGGED, SOURDOUGH PANCAKE HOLSTER, THE BELT CARRY CASE FOR THE ICONIC BUCK FOLDERS, AND THE SHEATHS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL KNIVES OF ALASKA.......

THOSE BROWN LEATHER PIECES ARE EASILY TURNED INTO A DEEP AND LUSTROUS BLACK, WITH THE APPLICATION OF KIWI, "BLACK LEATHER SHOE DYE". IT COMES IN A PLASTIC BOTTLE, TOPPED WITH AN EASY TO USE SPONGE APPLICATOR, THAT COSTS LESS THAN $5.00, AND IS ENOUGH TO DO SEVERAL HOLSTERS. THE FINISH IS WATER-RESISTANT, VERY DURABLE, AND EASILY TOUCHED UP, IF SCUFFED......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! One of my favorite punch-lines!!!!!

I remember when I sold Toyota parts. A customer'd come in and ask for some white touch up paint.
Simple enough.
However, I'd need a color code because there's over a dozen different shades of white.

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Keep on Chooglin'

As the Cheshire cat said in "through the looking glass": When I use a word it means exactly what I mean it to mean, nothing more and nothing less.

My first truck was tan, Ford said it was palomino.

Years ago someone made OWB holsters with outside covered in denim
blue. Blended in well with Wranglers or Levis for concealment. Can't
remember the maker.

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In Omnia Paratus

WOW---I'M AN OL' GEEZER, AND I NEVER SAW ANY THING LIKE THAT. I LIKE THE IDEA, AND I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE PURCHASED ONE......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I resurrected this older thread because I have a word of advice that you
may find useful.

When you want your belt color to match your holster color, be sure to
order them both together. It is extremely difficult, apparently, for the
maker to match colors after the fact.

The photo shown below is a good example. The belt was ordered
from the maker who made the holster just a week or so previously.
They were both supposed to be oxblood. But as I mentioned above,
there are a lot of shades: oxblood, burgundy, havana, cordovan, etc.

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In Omnia Paratus

Most color variations exist in order to convince women that they need a new purse or pair of shoes.

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Only a cold warrior

You can tell the out of town hunters, cuz all their camo matches.

Now that’s a first world problem!

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Halfway and one more step

Does the wifebeater Tee shirt have to match the crocs? A visitors 13y/o daughter recently told me croc's are making a comeback. It aint easy being a fashion plate.

Gots to ask, what's deemed appropriate after Labor Day?

NOT WHITE. After being forced to wear the good humor man ALL WHITE (ketchup magnet) uniform for years, that aint a problem for me.

2.jpg

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Ouch, mate. Please....

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Halfway and one more step

Isn't "Puce" what you do after drinking too much, I think??
As for me, I'll have my holster in aubergine with gamboge highlights, thank you very much.
On second thought, never mind - back to the basic crayon box for this guy.

Another one of my old threads that I am shamelessly pulling back up,
but, I think, for a pretty good reason. I recently had a black Heiser model
457 listed for sale here in our classified ad section. I thought someone
would snap it up immediately. A Heiser far a very reasonalbe price.
Well, I sold all the rest of the list, except the Heiser. I wondered why.

So I asked a very wise moderator here on the forum for his thoughts.
He reported back to me that buyers pefer the brown shades to black.
He also said the 457 was a very common Heiser, which doesn't help.
But it was the color that got me to thinking.

What is your favorite color for a holster? Do you prefer shades of brown
over black? I know black doesn't seem to photograph as well as other
colors. I was a bit surprised by shades of brown being prefrred over black.
Do you have an opinion? Please share it.

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In Omnia Paratus

Tan with a dyed black background is my favorite look.
Tan and brown holsters sell much quicker than black holsters, in my experience.
Heiser charged more for black holsters.
I’m betting that most if not all of the responses favor tan or brown.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

With two exceptions, I've always purchased black. The exceptions were a tan El Paso Saddlery pancake holster for my 1911s and a tan Bianchi Pinch holster for my Beretta 92FS that I bought back in the 90s at gun shows.

However, I've always wanted to get some gear in a color I've seen described as "cordovan." Basically, a kind of dark, brownish, burgundy color. Essentially the same as Simply Rugged's oxblood. I believe Kramer used to offer this color, but last time I checked their website it wasn't a listed option. Beltman offers belts in this color. The problem, of course, is getting a belt, mag pouch(es), and holster from the same maker at the same time to try and get everything to match. Until that happens, I'll stick with black.

Basic saddle tan for my favorite!

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Tim
SWCA #2697

Kansasgunner, don't leave us high and dry! Who made that holster? Looks lined? Perhaps El Paso?

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Kevin in Oregon

It’s a George Lawrence #120. Elmer Keith is credited for this style. It is unlined and fits 4” Heavy Duty. I posted it originally on 11/4/2020.

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Tim
SWCA #2697

Old Elmer did get around, didn't he?

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In Omnia Paratus

Oh my yes he did!

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Tim
SWCA #2697

I prefer Russet generally, it for polished stainless or nickel handguns I like black

If you are going to the ballet, does your holster have to match your Tutu?

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CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

bulletslap, I agree with you. I think silver (color) guns look best
in black holsters. I also prefer black grips on silver (color) guns.
Of course there are exceptions, but that is kind of a general rule
for me. I recently installed some Hogue blue lava grips on my
little 642-1. Here are some examples, left to right:

Myres model 642 holster and Spegel designed grips by Butler '
Creek on my Model 67 Combat Masterpiece.

Oliver Ball's floral carved T3P style with dog ear holster, also
on my Model 67.

Delfatti's shark trimmed IWB, and Spegel designed boots.
with my 642-1.

Black Hills shark with my 642-1, and Spegel designed boots.

Chic Gaylord speed scabbard with my 642-1, and the previous
mentioned blue lava grips.

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In Omnia Paratus

Here is the UPDATE. In my #20 post above I referred to a denim holster.
I found a picture of the one I was referring to, shown below. Unfortunately
it is kydex, so I will pass.

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In Omnia Paratus