John Wesley Hardin Two Gun Skeleton Vest Holster (New Pic. Added!)

[Wyatt Burp]

Wes Hardin was said to sometimes carry two sixguns in a custom vest with holsters attached. In the 1980's I made such a rig and used it at cowboy shoots. It has tooled reinforced pads over the shoulders and bullet loops on the bottom adjustable belt. I carried Colts and break-tp S&W .44 Russians in this rig. My wife just found it out in the garage. It doesn't fit anymore by about two inches. I think I weighed about 160 lbs. when I used this thing. I'm thinking about making another as modifying this one won't work. This was very comfortable and practical. Anyway, here it is. OK. Here's me wearing it twenty years and two inches ago before I repositioned the holsters. They hugged the body a little better afterwards, as I recall

 

[GatorFarmer]

That's an eye catching rig. Very stylish.

 

[bellevance]

Pretty damn cool.

 

[james56]

WOW

Thats fabulous!!

 

[DCWilson]

Wyatt, handsome rig. Does that work better for cross draw or twist draw? I can't make my mind see where the gun butts end up and the angle of the draw.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Wyatt, handsome rig. Does that work better for cross draw or twist draw? I can't make my mind see where the gun butts end up and the angle of the draw.

I remember I didn't want the butts way out in front so they are like a conventional shoulder holster, only a little lower. and yes. That made twist draws possible. The holsters don't hang straight up and down but have an angle. But not angled enough to sag or bulge out front. It's hard to tell in the picture, but the trigger guard area is just large enough to accomodate the 1881 DA .S&W .44 Russian I had back then. It looked especially cool with that gun in one holster and a New Model 3 in the other. But, alas, those guns are gone.

 

[tyusclan]

Very cool, indeed.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[Qball]

Realy cool sir, thinking of selling it?

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Now when I saw the thread title I thought this has to be ole Wyatt! Thats a handsome and way cool rig ya got there Matt.

 

[DeathGrip]

Thats as good as it gets.I would love to see it worn.Maybe you can find a skinny model somewhere.

D.G.

 

[gregintenn]

You could always lose the two inches......but I agree it would be easier to fabricate another rig. I like it.

 

[snakeman32]

That has to be one of the coolest rigs I have ever seen. I like it.


snakeman

 

[wyo-man]

Yes, pics please with someone wearing your rig.

wyo-man

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Yes, pics please with someone wearing your rig.

wyo-man

Here's one from long ago. As stated in my edited thread, I think this was taken before I removed the holsters and repositioned them to change the angle slightly.

 

[MFPD 10MM]

That rig is awesome.

 

[m657]

2"??? musta bin them 'stealth pies'.....

great design!

 

[DeathGrip]

Thanks for the picture.That rig is really cool.I'd like to have one for a couple of snubbies or even some 1911's.You know,Sunday socials and such.

D.G.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Thanks for the picture.That rig is really cool.I'd like to have one for a couple of snubbies or even some 1911's.You know,Sunday socials and such.

D.G.

Sammy Davis Jr. had a vest similar to this in a Frank Sinatra musical, and I think he carried two Detective Specials in it.