My New Holster

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 1:49 pm

Just received my Prairie Flower Leather Company "Indy" holster...and it's a beauty! Mine has the same "cut" as the one Indiana Collins owns. I've been working the leather, helping give it that "wrinkled & used" look...can hardly wait to get my "Indy" 1917 in it this weekend!

IndianaCollins · Post by **IndianaCollins** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 5:31 pm

yeah, man i love my pflco holster. almost bought a 1917 a month or so back, but the barrel was pretty much shot

, so i passed. i love the holster though.

Raider1138 · Post by **Raider1138** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 5:43 pm

Putting Pecards on the inside as well as the outside really helps to loosen the holster up. You might want to give that a try as well. Glad you like the holster, Steffan does a good job with anything leather.
Tim

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 6:38 pm

Raider: He sure does make a good holster.

Indiana Collins: The rifling in a 1917 barrel is quite shallow, as it was designed to be used with jacketed .45 ACP ammunition...if it actually is shot out, and you can get it for a decent price, buy a replacement barrel from GunParts/Numrich, as I did for mine. I paid $52 for a replacement barrel.

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 10:52 pm

Do y'all have pics of y'all's holsters from the Prairie Flower Company?

Raider1138 · Post by **Raider1138** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 6:24 am

Just click on the link http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tbaile ... =ph&.view= and you can see the PFLCo holster that I ordered about a year ago. The pictures of the holster being the darker color are the most recent and were taken with the best camera. The holster started out a little light(not as bad as shown in the pictures, those were taken witha disposable camera) but darkened with some shoe polish and brown pecards. The holsters that Ron C and Indiana Collins have are a little different from mine in color (they are darker) and one slight difference in shape. But at around $40, you can't beat it. If you're looking for a holster, I'd send Steffan at PFLCo an e-mail. He has a few like Ron's and Indy C's already made or he can make one from any requests that you have. The bag strap minus the buckle came from PFLCo and was custom made as well. I'll try posting an image of the holster below but it may not work for all. Hope this helps.
Tim

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:28 am

ITG, you can also call and talk to Steffan...he's very personable! That's what I did, along with the emails. He provides GREAT service...he shipped my holster on the same day that I oprdered it. For $42, including shipping, you can't beat it.

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Sat Aug 23, 2003 12:01 am

I'm not looking to buy a holster, just curious on it's appearance since it's a new one to the group. However, I have a IMA Webley holster I'd be interested in selling for Keppler smith and wesson or willing to sell the holster outright. I may post it in the classifieds in a few weeks (after Labor Day).

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Sat Aug 23, 2003 1:56 am

I called today and they were really nice. They didn't think they were going to sell so many holsters.

There is some serious financial power in this group.

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:04 pm

My holster from Prarie Flower Leather came in this week. I ordered the brown one. It looks like what he does is puts a dark leather dye on the holster to make it dark brown. Sorta gives it a distressed look.

When I received it, the leather was rather stiff. I took some Pecards and worked it into the leather. The holster drank the stuff up. After 2 coats of regular, I worked in a coat of brown Pecards and it looks really nice now.

This is a really nice holster. Holds the gun really well. I am anxious to put some field wear into it this season to see how it holds up.

Pyro.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:08 pm

Be kind of careful when you open the flap. I'm really surprised at how much of the trigger and guard is exposed on that holster. Every flap holster I've ever owned to date has had the entire trigger and guard covered to protect the revolver in the field, and help keep it from falling out. Not much 'meat' there to my eye to keep it in place should the flap come open when you're not wanting it to. Regards. Michaelson

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:09 pm

Pyro, same goes for me...I, too, wish to put some field wear on my holster. Maybe a few of us can get together sometime and do some "Indy gun" shooting.

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:11 pm

Michaelson, it appears that way, but in reality (at least with mine), my 1917 sits rather snuggly in the pouch....it will not come out unless tugged" upon. I had the same concerns when I first received mine.

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:11 pm

That's a good point. I may send these photos to PFLCo as some "voice of the customer"

Thanks,
Pyro.

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:14 pm

Mine, however, does appear to sit deeper in the pouch than does Pyro's, according to the pics he posted.

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:34 pm

I sent a letter with the photos attached asking if it would be possible to make the suggested changes. I also asked that the flap be a little larger as to protect the entire gun.

Stay tuned....

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:37 pm

what is the company's website? -IJ

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:37 pm

Good idea. That's the entire reason for the flap holster..to fully enclose the gun to keep it out of the elements and harms way. I've never seen one with cut outs like that, especially on revolvers. Interesting. Regards. Michaelson

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:40 pm

IJ, here is the link: http://www.pflco.com/

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:55 pm

I am still waiting for Lee's holster to come in. I have a feeling it will be my field holster for my SW1937. I purchased one at the Queen Mary Summit. He was to pick up a batch of them sometime last week or the week before, I believe.

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:58 pm

Pyro, I wonder if they are all spoken for...or if there will be any "spares"? Guess I'll send him an email.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 7:00 pm

Ah, a Keppler. Now THERE'S a field flap holster! Regards. Michaelson

Raider1138 · Post by **Raider1138** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 7:14 pm

My PFLCo holster wasn't made with the cut out like that. I'm not sure where that design component came from, but Steffan does specialize in WWI reproductions so it might have come from one of his other WWI products. I actually e-mailed him a couple of weeks ago with an idea of what a more "authentic" Indy holster looks like and he said that he would look into making the changes right away. I guided him to some places where he could find some pictures from the movie that would help him. The holster that I ordered about a year ago was actually pretty authentic in my opinion. The color was a little light at first but that was easily fixed with some pecards mixed with dark brown Meltonian shoe polish, great stuff by the way. Hopefully we'll have a fairly authentic holster at a nice price that everyone can enjoy.
Tim

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 7:17 pm

Thanks, Raider1138!

Raider1138 · Post by **Raider1138** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 7:49 pm

No problem. I also gave Steffan the link to the A+ website to order some of those nice 1" center bar buckles that they have if he wants to make any more bag straps like he did for me or if he gets any new orders. You can't beat custom made at a quality price.
Tim

Cabinetman · Post by **Cabinetman** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 8:06 pm

Raider1138 wrote:No problem. I also gave Steffan the link to the A+ website to order some of those nice 1" center bar buckles that they have if he wants to make any more bag straps like he did for me or if he gets any new orders. You can't beat custom made at a quality price.
Tim

Regarding buckles, see the new thread...

By the way, I dealt with Steffan last week, and I agree, a fine man. I got a strap and holster both in natural. They've been outside getting a tan for two days now.

Cab

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 3:18 am

I just received an email back from Steffan. He has offered to replace the holster at no charge except for shipping. He is willing to modify the specs in any way necessary. (Personally, I think the holster was patterned for a smaller frame S&W revolver.)

I am including a trace outline of the revolver and holster with revolver in it so he can get a feeling for length and width of this gun. The paper outlines accurately reflect the opening near the trigger and exposure near the butt.

Stay tuned....

Raider1138 · Post by **Raider1138** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 6:35 am

Wow. That's customer service. I think that he sees how well these holsters are selling and the possibilities with a more authentic holster. I can't wait to see what the final product is.
Tim

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 10:49 am

This kind of surprises me now. Every custom holster maker I've ever dealt with has gun blanks that they push into a holster to form fit to the actual gun shape. If you required a holster for an N-frame Smith, he should have had a blank to use to make yours. Still, I'd say the tracing may help, along with the model and frame type, he should hit it on the nose. Regards. Michaelson

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:30 am

Again, I think there may be minor variations, as my 1917 with its 4" barrel and ramp front sight appears to sit deeper in the holster pouch than does Pyro's. After treating it last night with the same leather conditioner I use on our saddles, it "snugged in" even more.

Raider1138 · Post by **Raider1138** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 12:20 pm

Here's a quote from the reply that Steffan sent me in his most recent e-mail:

"I borrowed a between wars holster from a collector friend of mine
who saw what I was building and asked if I would like to have an original
that his model 1917 S&W came in. Probably the reason for the difference in the cut over the trigger guard. I visited a couple of the websites you
mentioned (who'd have thought it!) but there is one in this message I
haven't been to yet, should be interesting! Thanks again and we'll do
our best to keep you guys happy.... Thanks for the sites and the business. Take care. Steffan"

Sounds like he's doing his best to suit our needs. So you guys that have a holster like Pyro's actually have a historic reproduction of an original 1917 S&W combined with an Indy holster. Hope this helps.
Tim

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 12:25 pm

Raider, great info! Thanks for passing that on to us. I truly do like my PFLC holster.

Sztybel · Post by **Sztybel** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 10:45 pm

I also purchased the Leather Co. holster and it is very well made and accurate according to the photos I've seen here. I would also make the suggestion of at least two coats of Pecard to loosen this baby up. The dye job definitely lends itself to an older appearance.

I'd like to mention I spoke to one of the folks over there on the phone (possibly Steffan) and they were more than helpful and chatted with me for a short while about the specifications, types of leather available, and cost. Very very amiable people to do business with.

Sztybel

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 3:14 pm

Michaelson wrote:Ah, a Keppler. Now THERE'S a field flap holster! Regards. Michaelson

Yes it is! Just received mine Very nice holster.

Just heard from PFLCo and my other one is on the way.

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:26 pm

The color of this holster rocks! I have a home-made one I made over a year ago and an actual reproduction holster with that orangy color, but I like the color of the home-made one better. Just like this one... Brown dye you say

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 5:34 pm

yea brown dye. It looks nice even close up but you can then see the detail that it's dyed.

I should be receiving my other one soom.

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 5:58 pm

Sztybel wrote: I would also make the suggestion of at least two coats of Pecard to loosen this baby up...

Which Pecard product?

Raider1138 · Post by **Raider1138** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:12 pm

I suggest the Pecards gel inside and out (just don't put your gun in while you're doing this!!

) After the gel had time to thoroughly dry on the inside, I did put my gun in and then applied a coat of the gel on the outside in an attempt to help it form to my gun a little better. It seemed to help a little. If you need to darken the holster the Meltonian shoe polish in the dark brown color does wonders. I suggest mixing it in with the Pecards gel when you apply it to the outside, it allows better absorption of the color. I also think that it does a better job than the brown Pecards (I've tried both, just my opinion). Hope this helps.
Tim

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 12:53 am

Pyroxene wrote:I just received an email back from Steffan. He has offered to replace the holster at no charge except for shipping. He is willing to modify the specs in any way necessary. (Personally, I think the holster was patterned for a smaller frame S&W revolver.)

I am including a trace outline of the revolver and holster with revolver in it so he can get a feeling for length and width of this gun. The paper outlines accurately reflect the opening near the trigger and exposure near the butt.

Stay tuned....

I never did a proper follow up on this holster issue. As it turns out, Steffan did replace my holster for a new one.

You can see the gun fits into it better than the previous one. The edges were a little rough but it seems to be a quality item. I carry my .22lr S&W revolver in it when I am at the range.

Pyro.

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 10:08 am

I spoke with Steffan the other day by email. Holsters for the short-barelled S&W's will not be available until summer, as they are very busy with the WWI reeneactmnet season right now. Just thought I'd pass this on.

Ron

wolf2hawks · Post by **wolf2hawks** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 11:34 am

Does this holster have the barrel end plugged or sewn shut? Working on an Indy Holster for my Browning and trying to see how the barrel plug is done.

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 10:15 am

Wolf, it has a sewn-in toe plug.

wolf2hawks · Post by **wolf2hawks** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:24 am

RonC
Thanks for the info. Getting close to finding out how the toe plug is done. Thanks Agin.

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 9:40 pm

I know this may be a bit off, but I've been looking for a tactical holster for my USP45 match (same type Ms. Jolie uses in Tomb Raider).
Does any one of anyone who cam mfg one. I sent an email to http://www.pflco.com/ and will of course see what happens but if any one can help me here it would be awsome.
Heck I even asked them if they could make on that looked like Indys holster but would fit a HKUSP 45 match.
Thanks.
Croft

My New Holster

My New Holster

speaking of buckles