“California” Holsters

“California” pattern holsters, also refered to as "Slim Jims", were developed in the early 1850s during the Gold Rush era.  San Francisco firms, such as L. D. Stone and Main & Winchester, are credited with developing this style of holster.  These form-fitting silhouette holsters were largely used by prospectors to carry Colt Dragoons, Model 1851 Navy’s, and other percussion revolvers on their belts.

Lefty’s Leather Styles 100 and 101 are California Holsters.

“Mexican Loop” Holsters

The advent of revolvers designed to use metallic cartridges in the 1870s brought with it the widespread use of cartridge belts.   These wider belts required holsters with correspondingly wider belt loops.  The “Mexican Loop” holsters were designed with an integral skirt behind the pouch, and fastened to it by a loop of leather, that formed a space wide enough to accommodate a cartridge belt.

The loop(s) securing the holster’s pouch to the skirt is fashioned either by cutting slits in the skirt through which the pouch is inserted, or by sewing or riveting separate piece(s) of leather to the skirt.  “Mexican Loop” holsters were made with up to 4 loops.

Colorado and Montana craftsmen more commonly made “Mexican Loop” holsters with sewn or riveted loops.  Texas and Wyoming craftsmen characteristically made these holsters with integral loops cut into the skirt.  However, there is no set rule, and both styles were prevalent throughout the Southwest.

Lefty’s Leather offers several Mexican Loop Holsters in Styles 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, and 108

Texas "Jock Strap" Holsters

A distinct adaptation of the Mexican Loop holster is typically referred to as the Texas “Jock Strap” Holster.  The loop on these holsters is a stylized “Y” shape with the lower projection extending around the toe of the pouch.  These Jock Strap holsters date to the early 1890s.

Lefty’s Leather Style 107 is a Texas Jock Strap Holster