Locating a civilian holster for Colt 1848

[Morgan's raider]

As part of my impression as a Civil War jounalist (specials ) i intend to arm myself with a Colt 1848 pocket revolver.

I need help in locating what a civilian at that time would have used for a holster. i have checked the various big names, but they only carry the military style with flap.

Would that have been something that a civilian would have used or would they have carried more of an open top style holster?

[IowaYank]

Re: Locating a civilian holster for Colt 1848

Richard, get a hold on Don Smith, I dont think he carries them on his regular line, but I know he is always up for projects.

[IowaYank]

Re: Locating a civilian holster for Colt 1848

Another vendor would be Cody Mobly (The Company Tailor). He has civilian holsters listed on his site, but none are in stock. Here is a link.

http://companytailor.googlepages.com/accoutrements2

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Locating a civilian holster for Colt 1848

Hallo!

Wouldn't an armed " journalist" be a enemy "combatant?" ;) :)

There are a number of custom holster and belt makers associated with "Western" shooters that could likely make up Colt M1849 pocket revolver holster.

Curt

[Adjutant]

Re: Locating a civilian holster for Colt 1848

Depending on your coat, you might wish to use your pocket. I have found this best when wearing my Federal Officer's sack.

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Locating a civilian holster for Colt 1848

Hallo!

Wouldn't an armed " journalist" be a enemy "combatant?"

Great day you took the words right out of my mouth.

Images of War which is 1920's book on journalists (written and photo) like Waud, Leslie and Brady and goes into mid-19th century media spin, which the 2008 media has nothing on the late unplesantness lot. The book speaks to journalists taking extra measure to avoid the appearance of a combatant.

PM me and I will give you specifics on the book when I got home to my "library".

[oldsecesh]

Re: Locating a civilian holster for Colt 1848

I second the suggestion for Don Smith at Trans Mississippi Depot. He made up a civilian holster for a Wells Fargo pocket pistol for me and I have seen another he made for an 1848 Colt. Very nice work in both examples.

[Morgan's raider]

Re: Locating a civilian holster for Colt 1848

Now I am aware that Alfred Waud was a illustrator, however, he would fall into the same category as a jounalist.

Here is the description given by a contemporary of his "blue-eyed, fair bearded, strapping and stalwart, full of loud cheery laughs and comic songs, armend to the teeth, jackbooted, gauntleted, slouch-hatted, yet clad in the shooting-jacket of a civilian."

note the part where is states "armed to the teeth" It seems to me that he was making a distinction between the armament, boots, gauntlets which would give the appearance of a military aire and yet the civilian shooting jacket.


This is from a article by Frederic Ray about artists of the Civil War. Just a thought for consideration about a journalist having a small revolver for his own protection.

[August77]

Re: Locating a civilian holster for Colt 1848

Here is an original civilian holster and reproduction I made from it. I think there is a good bit of flexibility when it comes to a civilian style holster. A buddy of mine has an original that was made out of a boot. This is one of those items that you can have a little bit of fun with as you're not working with military guidelines. Anyway, enjoy the pics.

Regards,
Bill Lomas

[Linkstrap]

Re: Locating a civilian holster for Colt 1848

Alfred Waud certainly appears to be armed in this photo.

http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/cwp/4a3900...0/4a39436r.jpg