Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

[Mike Ventura]

Another listing on gunsamerica.com:
"This is a rare opportunity to acquire an ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR 1861 Colt Navy with its ORIGINAL holster rig and accessories. This outfit was captured from a Union Officer by a member of Hood's Brigade and used for the remainder of the war by this Confederate soldier. Purchased from his Greatgrandson in Del Rio, Texas in 1961. An AFFIDAVIT relating these facts will be supplied with purchase. Serial number 208xx, manufactured in 1864. The leather holster, belt, and cartridge box show wonderful hand repairs from their period of use. The belt was a civilian belt with hand sewn saber loops. The set includes a hand carved, bamboo powder measure, a cap box with caps, a fine powder bag with hand carved ivory or bone top which still contains powder and several lead balls which appear to have been hammered round. The revolver is in excellent working condition with all matching numbers. There is approximately 20% of blue finish remaining and traces of cylinder scene. The grips are smooth with no chips or cracks. An unbelievable set which has been together since the Civil War. Additional photos of actual revolver on request."

I like the roller buckle, field modified saber loops, and the "extension" added to the hole end of the belt. Revolver not shown on site.

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

Is there a field repair on the bottom of the holster? Or is dye worn out (for some reason it looks thicker towards the bottom). I like those field made saber loops, might have to steal that idea. It's a shame that the revolver and the cartridge box are not shown though.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

Do you think that a trooper would wear his saber on his right side as it would seem from the pic?

[Mark Choate]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

Not unless his dominant hand was his left, Matt.

Mark

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

Matt -

Thank You! Something about the picture was bugging me and you just identified what seemed out of place. So, that makes the holster left side, butt to the rear?

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

Andrew - I wondered the same thing about the bottom of the holster. I love it when things like this turn up!!!

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

It could be that the holster was made for a different type of revolver and the trooper had to modify it to fit. I have nothing to back that up, just an idea.

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

Andrew - Interesting thought! Maybe - if it was made for a standard US Army .44 and the guy was carrying a Navy, the Navy is smaller. The description says that it came with a Navy. I do the same thing - I carry a Navy .36 in a US holster made for an Army .44 and it fits well down in the holster. I could see putting something in the holster so that the pistol rides a little higher in it.

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

I just noticed something else, has anyone noticed that the keeper for this belt is on the inside? Wouldn't that mean that the buckle would have to be upside down so that the leather would end up on the inside of the waistband?

[Mike_Schramm]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

Matt/Mike,

It looks like we are looking at the inside of the belt (the keeper appears to be on the back side) then they put the cap box on so it was facing up for the picture. Was the person trying to show the belt stitching?

[Sorry Andrew, I didn't see your reply as I was typing mine. Great minds, and all....]

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

Mike,

You could be on to something there. I had never thought about that, but it does seem to make more sense. That would explain the saber loops, as well as the keeper being on the inside.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

Mike,

I believe you have nailed it with that observation. The keeper loop for the buckle is the key. It is for a "rightie" afterall and just shown inverted.

Good eye.
Mark

[Longrope]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

I think the belt is photographed as it was worn. The buckle is shown right side up. The keeper has been worn off.
It also is possible that the box shown, is the cartridge box. Not a cap pouch.

Just my thoughts....

[TexCavly]

Re: Take a look at this - holster, rig, identified

It is the backside because you can see that the leather past the hole, where the buckle was kept, is pointing out.