Skeeter, Bart, Garrett Allen and the Bar-T
Apr 6, 2015 10:22:49 GMT -5
Lee Martin, Ken O'Neill, and 4 more like this
Post by Doc Barranti on Apr 6, 2015 10:22:49 GMT -5
30 years ago, I picked up a copy of Shooting Times ‘ Skeeter Skelton’s Handgun Tales’ off the magazine rack. It was filled with everything a Sixgunner could want; handloading data, history, wit, and wisdom, all spoken in a language and way that made it sound like a good friend was saying it. I lost my entire collection of Shooting Times magazines during an unfortunate episode of my life, but I did manage to save Handgun Tales, and I still have it after all these years.
By far the most turned to chapter in my magazine is titled “Skeeter’s Favorite Work Rigs”. Being a Shuckmaker and fulltime student of Classic Gunleather, not only was I interested in Skeeter’s thoughts on holsters but also the photos of gunleather from the likes of the George Lawrence Co., El Paso Saddlery, Bianchi and others. There was one rig however which caught my eye more than the others; It was labeled as Skeeter’s favorite single-action rig and it was built to his specifications by his saddlemaker friend, the late Garrett Allen. Though the photo was very grainy, I could see it was a fully floral carved rig, with 12 cartridge loops on the Ranger style belt, and the holster featured Skeeter’s brand, the Bar-T. I knew from the first time I saw that photo that I wanted to build a rig just like it, the only problem was, the photos weren’t clear enough.
Fast forward nearly 30 years…. As fate would have it, I became friends with Skeeter’s son Bart. I am sure most of you read Bart’s column in Shooting Times, but if you don’t, you are missing out! Bart’s writing style is well worth the cost of a subscription. Bart was kind enough to send me a few photos of the Garrett Allen holster last year, and it allowed me to build my representation of it. Upon completion, I felt it only fair to get Bart’s input on a name for the new addition to my holster line. Bart’s answer; the ‘Bar-T’. The first holster I built was presented to Bart last summer when he invited me and my traveling buddy Tank Hoover to his hacienda near Deming, NM. While there, I was able to handle and photograph the entire Allen rig. Quite a thrill!
Once word had gotten out about this re-creation, a customer contacted me and ordered an entire rig just like the original. Without Bart’s help, this 30 year dream and project would never have gotten off the ground. I am pleased with how the rig turned out and look forward to someday taking time to build my own. A big Thank You to Bart Skelton for his assistance and my customer, for his order!
