ltwguns.com

I thought I would post some pictures of the leather being made for LTW2. Maybe Steve could transfer this to the LTW section.

The holster and magazine pouch are being made from Genuine Shell Cordovan in whiskey with black shark trim.

The first photo is of the clicked out cordovan pattern for the front of the magazine pouch. This material is very oily so the upper part of the cordovan gets sanded in preparation for the shark trim.


The second picture is of the clicked out cordovan parts and the shark trim piece. The back piece of the pouch has the leather backing glued on. Cordovan doesn't have any structural strength, so anything made with cordovan has to be backed with leather.


The third picture shows the leather sewn to the cordovan, as well as the shark trim. The snaps on the belt loops are attached, as well as the "T" nuts that will accept the underside piece of the snap. The edges that do not get sewn down have been wax burnished.


The forth picture shows the front and back pieces being sewn on the Union Lockstitch machine.


The fifth picture was taken after the sewn edges were sanded flush. The wire edge left after sanding is being removed with a wide skiver.


The last picture for today shows the magazine pouch being molded with a whalebone tool.


I'll try to take some pictures of the construction of the holster. I'll try to show different operations than those shown with the making of the magazine pouch.

OUTSTANDING

That's fantastic work, thanks for sharing it.

--Mark

Excellent work Josh!!! I can't wait to see the pictures of the holster!!

Looks good Josh.

JeffVN

Awesome. It's great to see the work in progress. I can't wait to see the holster.
I have a Bulman FDS for my Commander and it's one of the most beautiful holster I've ever seen.

Coool!!!

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damian@adcofirearms.com
http://www.adcofirearms.com

Just to put things in perspective. We originally included people in LTW that did great work, had a great reputation, and wanted to participate in this sort of thing. While talking to Lou Alessi one day, he thought that Josh Bulman and Gary Brommeland were a must to get involved in some of the projects. During an early conversation, Josh immediately agreed to donate some leather for one of the projects. Well, quicker than we expected, Ned and John got LTW #2 finished and it is unbelievable.

Well, in the 11th hour I called Josh and asked him if he was still interested. Josh again immediately agreed to put something together within a few days. A FEW DAYS! As most of you know, that is unheard of from a custom maker whether it be holsters, guns, knives, etc....

This conversation took place Monday. Certainly from everyone on this forum, the board members, and the people who will eventually benefit from his work.........Thanks Josh. Your work speaks for itself.

NOW, get that thing done so we can see what that bad boy looks like.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

Josh,

Your work looks great with nice details and craftsmanship.

Ray

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http://www.harmscustomdesigns.com

I very much appreciate a chance to see how the wonderful products the artisans on this forum produce are created..

Keep it up!!

I have always appreciated watching skilled craftsmen at work. The patience and labor involved in all the work on this forum simply amaze me. Thanks for sharing your talents, gentlemen.

God Bless you and yours,
~Jim Keeney

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

Watching these wonderful things being made is the best part. Glad that I'm getting to see it.
Great stuff!

Seeing the finished products turned out by all of these craftsmen is a real treat for the eyes, but seeing some of the processes used to achieve the wonderful end product is truly enlighening and very enjoyable. Thanks!!

Great piece BTW.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis

I made the holster today and thought I'd add some pictures of it.

The first thing that I had to do was modify one of our 1911 mold guns to simulate the the LTW #2 gun since there was no time to send the gun to us. The #2 gun's sturrip cuts were ball mill cut, so that's what we did to the mold gun. (It took one for the team )



This next picture is of the leather and Cordovan being sewn together after the two have been cut out and glued.


The next shot shows the inside of the holster. The lining, as well as the shark trim have been sewn on. Notice that the sides have been skived down to decrease the thickness of the edges.


After the holster has been sewn together, the slots were punched.


Next it gets soaked in hot water and put in the press. The press is set at 20 tons per square inch.


Fresh out of the press


Being molded


I'll post some pics of the finished stuff over the weekend.

Ah, .....

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

Hey Josh,,, Did Mrs. Bulman give you a manicure before you took all those pictures? I've never seen your hands so clean! HA!

Sorry buddy,, I just can't help myself sometimes!

Absolutely stunning work my friend.
Luigi

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Alessi Holsters, Inc.
You'll never know it's there, until you need it...

Hey, isn't that Colt a 'Bailey Built'?

Very nice leather work!

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

For my sake I hope not!! Besides don’t all the "Bailey Built" blasters come with pink mother of pearl grips on them?

Stunning work Josh!!!

The above post was made by Bailey, in the shop and under my name

Bad enough he parades around in my sheepskin caveman outfit, now he's even using my LTW account. I've gotta set some rules

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

TR

Man I turn my back for a second, and someone sticks a knife in me.

Josh, That holster is beautiful. From all of us Thank You. For the record you don't have to take sh$t from Alessi. I unfortuantely, have to take it from Tim.

And when you sent the holster can you send my gun back I need to blue it.
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Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

Way to go, Josh! That is just fantastic, beautiful work!

And thanks for sharing those pics, many of us have no clue how a holster is made. Other than you start with a cow (or shark) at some point .

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Stan Chen Customs
http://www.chencustoms.com

Thanks guys. The holster, mag pouch, and a Surefire case will be at Ted's shop on Tuesday. I wanted to have it to them by Sat., but I had to wait for a leather order to show up to finish everything.

Steve, I never mind taking crap from Luigi, because I give him enough of it too. I always enjoy hamming it up with Lou. Everyone should wish they have a friend like my buddy in Amherst.

Hey Josh,,, That's one of the nicest things ever said to me! Maybe we should go out on a date some day!
Your pal,
Luigi

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Alessi Holsters, Inc.
You'll never know it's there, until you need it...

Here we go

Hey Jason - I think that is one of yours in the white.

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http://www.harmscustomdesigns.com

Black and brown on a holster really does it for me.

Bet that cow and that shark never guessed they'd get married!

Real nice piece o' work, Josh. The pic shows it well, so I've seen it now, that part's over. Just hope I get to smell it and the SHOT Show...... that's half the fun of a new holster for me (Lou, the two dual magpouches I got from you a year ago, I've only used one sofar, the other is double-Ziplocked so as to preserve that marvelous smell!).

Excellent work, Mr. Bulman!

This is a great thread just to see how a holster is made at Bulman Gunleather.

Beatiful work.


Monty

Way to put the pressure on, Josh! I'll get LTW2 blued up midweek, and ready for some Bailey photography. Look for Photos of the set soon.

Thanks again for your hard work. It's truly appreciated.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

TR

Hey Josh:
Beuatiful lines, beautiful work!! The leather that is.......I don't want no date er nuthin'

I'm glad my wife doesn't read this forum

I'm delighted to see that our leather-working bretheren are as twisted and warped as we gun-grinding types.

Josh - That is a real treat to see the pictures of not only how it's done, but how it's done so nicely! Absolutely gorgeous, Dude!

BTW, Sorry you have to modify your mold gun for ball cuts.

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shop.HarrisonCustom.com
www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.