IDAHO LEATHER

[crazyphil]

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.

 

[-db-]

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.

 

[27 Man]

Very nice.

 

[bruce5781]

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.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[amazingflapjack]

well done Duck snappa!

 

[rednichols]

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.

 

[crazyphil]

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.

Regards,
Bruce

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?

 

[crazyphil]

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.

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.

 

[rednichols]

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?

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).

 

[-db-]

Phil's holster marked RA is likely for a Ruger Automatic, which at the time would have been the .22 Standard/Mark-series pistols.

 

[bruce5781]

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).

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-]

Bruce, both were available with 6" barrels.

 

[bruce5781]

Bruce, both were available with 6" barrels.

Thanks, I was not aware of that.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[crazyphil]

Phil's holster marked RA is likely for a Ruger Automatic, which at the time would have been the .22 Standard/Mark-series pistols.

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.

 

[crazyphil]

Just thought I would try another photo to see if I can do any better.

A little better, but I still need to learn about better lighting.

 

[-db-]

Phil, it looks like you might just need to use a flash for the photos.

 

[crazyphil]

Thank you for that advice -db- I will try that next time I shoot a photo.

 

[crazyphil]

I just took this shot with flash on -db- What do you think?

Still a little dark at the top.

 

[-db-]

Much better, now you just need to improve your aiming of the camera/flash. Just like shooting a gun.

 

[bruce5781]

I have always had my best results outside, on a bright but overcast day.

Regards,
Bruce