Lawrence 120 for K-22, Transformed from Ugly to pretty nice

[sceva]

Hi All;

Recently pick up a Lawrence 120, Size 528, for my 6" K-22. I took a chance on it as it looked pretty dirty and scuffed / scratched up. Cleaned it with a good (Properts) Saddlesoap, a little Murphy's, back to Saddle Soap. Than applied Black Rock Conditionar to it after it dried. I think it came out pretty good. The Snap button is not marked with Lawrence. Original. Can the holster be dated to a range?

Only one issue with it, The belt flap stitches are coming loose for about 1/4".
Stopping of at a local Shoe Repair to see if they can stitch it back without harming the holster. Any other suggestions before I do?

Photos as listed and purchased





After cleaning it up

 

[turnerriver]

Your holster was made after 1963 & before the early to mid 1980's.
Most Lawrence snaps are marked but not all are.
That looks a lot like a 1952 K-22 with Culina grips.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[sceva]

Your holster was made after 1963 & before the early to mid 1980's.
Most Lawrence snaps are marked but not all are.
That looks a lot like a 1952 K-22 with Culina grips.
Regards,
turnerriver

Thanks for the info.

I like this holster.

Yeah, My 52 K-22, I really like the new grips on it.


Think I'll be safe letting a local repair shop re-stitch the belt loop?

 

[SDH]

Tandy's or? Buy wax cotton or nylon thread, two harness needles and learn how to saddle stitch. Pretty easy, satisfying and better than machine sewn.

 

[turnerriver]

Do what SDH suggests, I've never been happy with any shoe repair shop work on a holster. I've had a couple of craftsmen over the years who would repair vintage holsters but they don't do it any more. It takes someone with knowledge & the right materials.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[crazyphil]

Do what SDH suggests, I've never been happy with any shoe repair shop work on a holster. I've had a couple of craftsmen over the years who would repair vintage holsters but they don't do it any more. It takes someone with knowledge & the right materials.
Regards,
turnerriver

I second what John says. I only took gun leather to a shoe
repair shop one time. That was enough. They botched the
job. Lesson learned.

 

[Homie]

Re: Lawrence Snap Stamping-

I have two Lawrence 100 Ls, from '55-'56, both with unmarked snaps.

P.S. Phil. love the books!!!

 

[Stinger4me]

Find someone in a harness or tack shop. The stitching could probably be repaired with hand stitching.

 

[sceva]

I stopped by the shoe repair shop, told them what I wanted ( No Machine Stitching) saddle stitched. The took the holster around the side (but I could see them) and immediately tried to jam it on their sewing machine. Needless to say I went around and took it back rather quickly before they could do any real damage. A couple of new scrapes that were easily fixed. Lesson learned. The stitching is holding pretty solid so I'll use it as is for now and will either get a couple of needles and waxed linen or cotton thread and do it myself or, if I run across someone that hand sews I'll see if they'll do it.

 

[rednichols]

Do what SDH suggests, I've never been happy with any shoe repair shop work on a holster. I've had a couple of craftsmen over the years who would repair vintage holsters but they don't do it any more. It takes someone with knowledge & the right materials.
Regards,
turnerriver

Why would a shoe repair shop have a needle-and-awl saddle machine? A saddler would, though.

Anyway, resewing in old holes with a harness machine is very easy when you know how, very hard when you don't. On the other hand, using what you can get from Tandy makes hand stitching easy-as (for the belt loop). But I recommend against having to open the welted seam; THAT thread is REALLY hard to remove from the old holes.

 

[crazyphil]

I always thought the model 120 was for single action revolvers and the
model 34 was for double action revolvers. So I learned something today.
That was a very good find.

By the way, these two Lawrences both have plain caps on the snap.