The Half Flap

[CraigC]

I was asked what holster I would make for my USFA Henry Nettleton, this was my first thought. I started to do a plain black military pattern but just couldn't do it. I've wanted to try this pattern for a long time but always dreaded the trial and error involved in designing the flap. I took design queues from both military and civilian versions. Sam Browne button instead of the usual keeper. The stamping pattern from page 74 of Packing Iron. I didn't really like the way the pattern on the original turned the corner at the top of the throat, so I used a rosette to facilitate the turn in the pattern. Chestnut brown with some aging effects. Decided to do a sewn toe plug as well. It turned out pretty good.













Page 74 of Packing Iron.

[Snyd]

Beautiful!! Nice craftsmanship there!

[45MAN]

EXCELLENT AND MAN CAN YOU DO LEATHER WORK. FLAP HOLSTERS LOOK COOL BUT THEY HIDE TOO MUCH OF A PRETTY GUN.

[x101airborne]

Golly that is nice!!! I prefer an open toe because of our dust and dirt, but excellent blending and great stitching. I love how the pattern highlights instead of hides the flap closure bracket (too early and not enough coffee to remember the proper name for it). Beautiful work!!!

[squawberryman]

Worthy of the gun

[Deleted]

Great work

[iwsbull]

SWEET

[bula]

I'm a plain type person, but HOLY WOW ! That's purty. 

[magnumwheelman]

That is gorgeous

[bradshaw]

Craig.... a practical flap to be sure. Do you know the origin of the brass knob? Was it originally called a a Sam Browne keeper? By far my favorite keeper for most field duty, almost universally ignored today. When a holster is not silent to draw from, it forces the handgun to be carried in hand longer periods.
David Bradshaw

[bullseye]

Looking good!👍

[pacecars]

Perfect! Do you sell holsters that you make?

[bigmuddy]

Looks great Craig. Not only looks great but very practical as well. The keeper on the flap is not only silent, it is also more durable than any snap. It won’t get plugged with ice/snow or mud as can happen with the more commonly used metal snap.

Dan

[tdbarton]

That’s one of the best holsters I’ve seen in a while. Top tier craftsmanship. I’d love something just like it

[CraigC]

Thanks all, for the kind words!

I agree Rey, that's the only downside of a flap, especially a full flap. It hides too much of the gun.

I also prefer the function of an open toe. The toe plug is more of a technical exercise for me. They're difficult and I don't like doing them but I do like the way they look when done right. This one turned out 'ok'. That was one of the reasons why I had to wait until the pouch was stitched and wet formed, to determine exactly where the stud would go, before I did the final design of the flap. I had the idea for the stamping pattern on the flap one night in the shower. I jumped out and ran to the office to draw it up, before it left me. Wife thought I was nuts.

David, I should know but I don't. I know it predates Sam Browne. You see them on pommel holsters from the 1840's and before. They're one of my favorite closure types, because they can be operated silently. I hate snaps.

I stopped taking orders several years ago but this year started making stuff to sell on Etsy. Just sold both the Rogers & Spencer holsters I had on there this week. The link is in my signature. I'll make more for the store to take up the winter boredom.