ACCESSORIES
A Cut Above The Rest
Anyone who packs Single-Action iron owes a debt to whoever invented the Mexican Loop Holster
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The advent of the metallic cartridge brought about major changes in the design and construction of gunleather. Now, a ready supply of cartridges could be carried on one's person, rather than having to carry a separate container with the loose powder and ball and caps. Almost immediately after the introduction of practical, big-bore ammunition came the practice of packing extra cartridges on the waist belt in fitted leather loops--the first true "gun belt." However, it was quickly discovered that a new type of holster would be needed. The small belt loops on the slim-lined scabbards of the percussion age didn't fit over these bulkier, wider belts of those toting the new "cartridge" sixguns.
Making a larger loop on the back of the California-style scabbards wasn't enough, since a narrow loop on the back side of the holster would cause the holstered pistol to hang loosely at the side, flopping around uncomfortably. The answer to the problem was solved during the mid-1870s, in a simple, rather ingenious way.
Called the "Mexican Loop" holster, the design most likely came from northern Mexico or the American Southwest. While maintaining the general lines of the California pattern holster--with a slender, contoured main seam, recurved throat and triggerguard area--this new arrangement differed in that it consisted of a single piece of leather that formed the scabbard, backing and retaining loops.
The Mexican Loop design features the traditional holster portion sewn shut vertically. However, the top, back side of this pouch is not cut off--rather, it has been pattern-cut to form a skirt backing, then folded over and down horizontally behind itself. This forms both a belt loop and a skirt between the body of the wearer and the holster itself. The backing has two or more slots cut into it (depending on design and length) through which the scabbard portion is passed, creating skirt loops that hold the body of the holster to the skirt backing. This design created a wide upper loop through which the cartridge belt could pass, securing the holster firmly in place, while the skirt loops helped to keep the pouch portion from riding up when drawing the weapon.
While most loop holsters utilized skirt loops that were simply cut into the backing, a number of them--predominantly those manufactured in Texas and Montana--employed loops that were separately sewn or riveted. Some of these loops were fashioned as straight or curved cuts. Some were shaped with scalloped edges, but regardless of style or embellishment, they remained an integral part of the loop holster's functional design.
Early scabbards were turned out with a tear-drop-shaped toe plug that helped maintain the holster's shape in the lower portion of the sheath. Later versions either left the toe open or continued the main seam closure through the toe area. Generally, the skirt backings of the first loop holsters extended only halfway down the pouch, while later-produced sheaths usually featured three-quarter to full-length skirts.
