IDAHO LEATHER

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crazyphil

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Back on January 9th of this year I posted on this forum the news
that Ben Wetzel, proprietor of Idaho Leather, had passed away.

Not knowing the future of Idaho Leather, or if there will be a
future, I wished I had one of Ben's holsters. He made me a
shoulder holster, many years ago, for my Walther PPK when I
thought I was James Bond.

But I traded the PPK and so I sold the holster.

Well, as the Chinese Philosopher said: "You can sit with your
mouth open for a long, long, time, waiting for a roast duck
to fly in".

So I quit wishing and went surfing on the big old bay.

Here's what I found. After a brief bidding war it was mine, and
it came today. Shown with my Colt 1911 .45 ACP.
 

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I really like Eubanks/Idaho Leather holsters. They may not get quite as much attention as Heiser, Myres and a couple of the other big names but they're pure Americana and quality goods. It helps that they're often found with laced edges, like yours, something I particularly like.
 
I have several Eubanks holsters, but just yesterday picked up my first Idaho Leather. Supposed to fit a 6 inch N frame. Don't have it in hand yet, but I think I will like it.
b907b19edb3322eb37aebccb02d0d04c.jpg
b06f5c97e5bf47acc708e388e659b924.jpg
617ac686d2576711738a855a4ad6ac9c.jpg


Regards,
Bruce
 
I do like your jokes Phil :-). Surely your new holster is for a .22 auto?

Seeing the lacing reminds that I saw a post on a Facebook holster forum wondering what leather to use for lacing holsters; nothing seemed to be tough enough. Plenty of suggestions including kangaroo (which is famously used as lacing) and I had to mention that the tough leather used for holster lacing is rawhide. As in 'raw hide', wetted until it's soft, then laced, then when dry as hard as a nylon toothbrush handle.
 
bruce5781 said:
I have several Eubanks holsters, but just yesterday picked up my first Idaho Leather. Supposed to fit a 6 inch N frame. Don't have it in hand yet, but I think I will like it.
b907b19edb3322eb37aebccb02d0d04c.jpg
b06f5c97e5bf47acc708e388e659b924.jpg
617ac686d2576711738a855a4ad6ac9c.jpg


Regards,
Bruce
Click to expand...

That is a beauty Bruce. Looks like new. However, I don't
think it was made for a revolver. I believe it was made for
a semi-auto with a 6" barrel, like maybe a Browning
Challenger? The LS means laced and stamped (basket weave).
Let us know when you receive it, OK?
 
Last edited:
rednichols said:
I do like your jokes Phil :-). Surely your new holster is for a .22 auto?

Seeing the lacing reminds that I saw a post on a Facebook holster forum wondering what leather to use for lacing holsters; nothing seemed to be tough enough. Plenty of suggestions including kangaroo (which is famously used as lacing) and I had to mention that the tough leather used for holster lacing is rawhide. As in 'raw hide', wetted until it's soft, then laced, then when dry as hard as a nylon toothbrush handle.
Click to expand...

Yes Red, I believe it was made for something like a Hi Standard
HB. The stamped info is 66LS. The LS means laced and stamped (basket weave). Down below the Idaho Leather it
says RA. Rimfire Auto? The seller said it was for a 1911 and
it does fit. Kinda.

Actually I had a Hi-Standard a long time ago. Think it was HB or HD.
This just proves we should never get rid of a gun.
 
Last edited:
crazyphil said:
That is a beauty Bruce. Looks like new. However, I don't
think it was made for a revolver. I believe it was made for
a semi-auto with a 6" barrel, like maybe a Browning
Challenger? The LS means laced and stamped (basket weave).
Let us know when you receive it, OK?
Click to expand...

Even without the stamping it's obviously for a DA revolver. With the stamping, I would expect Combat Masterpiece or Combat Magnum 6 inch, which are K frames. Proportions would seem to be right for the K vs an N. The brand is reasonably contemporary, and included as a for us is that it is stamped with complete info vs just the brand plus a few pen marks. The sewn in rear sight ledge, as used by Lawrence, indicates adjustable sights (extra cost option and not needed on the M&P models).
 
rednichols said:
Even without the stamping it's obviously for a DA revolver. With the stamping, I would expect Combat Masterpiece or Combat Magnum 6 inch, which are K frames. Proportions would seem to be right for the K vs an N. The brand is reasonably contemporary, and included as a for us is that it is stamped with complete info vs just the brand plus a few pen marks. The sewn in rear sight ledge, as used by Lawrence, indicates adjustable sights (extra cost option and not needed on the M&P models).
Click to expand...
Thanks Red,
I have to admit those were my first thoughts on the "CM". Only flaw in that theory is that the Combat guns are 4".
Colt Magnum maybe ?

Regards,
Bruce
 
-db- said:
Phil's holster marked RA is likely for a Ruger Automatic, which at the time would have been the .22 Standard/Mark-series pistols.
Click to expand...

Thanks DB for that interpretation. Ruger Automatic does
make sense. My attorney, who taught the legal part of
my enhanced license classes, shot an older Ruger Auto.

They would shoot 100 rounds at various distances and in
various positions. Shooting at 9" paper pie plates. She was
one of the few who scored 100%. I might have to give her
this Idaho Leather holster.
 
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