Believe me when I tell you that the leather shown here looks infinitely nicer in person than my poor skills with a camera portray.
I bought this first rig from Lou Alessi years ago. I ordered an early PCH in cordovan, with sharkskin loops, for my Les Baer Concept X, matching cordovan leather belt, and a combo pouch. When the happy day finally arrived, I opened the box to find a belt that was not what I ordered - it was shark! I called Lou and told him that I owed him some more money. He wouldn't hear of it ("It's my mistake, and you waited patiently, so just keep it and you don't owe me a penny more"), but at least he took my next order during that phone conversation. I've since been to Buffalo on business, and the part of a morning that I spent with Lou was one of the most enjoyable times of my life.
I was in Phoenix a couple of years ago, and had made arrangements to meet Mark Garrity at a local boot shop he had referred me to about having a dress belt repaired (originally lizard, it's now black crocodile). I talked with him about my first exotic rig, and this is what we agreed upon: Mark's Incognito IWB, single mag pouch, and 1-1/2" belt, all in a cordovan alligator. He even tapered and skived the tip of the belt so it lays nice and flat through the buckle. I didn't run the belt through the loops of the holster on this one because the hide is so gorgeous, I didn't want to cover it up.
Mark's a fulltime LEO, so I knew it would be a long wait, and it was a definite splurge, so I didn't mind - it was worth it. Shown here with an appropriately gorgeous gun, a Ted Yost Signature Grade LW Commander.
I had seen a couple of Matt Del Fatti's rigs by way of a bunch of classes I've taken from Randy Cain. One day, I discovered quite by accident that Matt has a section on his website listing items in stock (a rarity). I saw this left-handed ILP-SS for a Commander and called Matt right away. This one's also carrying the Yost LW Commander.
While I was on the phone with Matt, I learned that he was about to post an SLP with elephant trim and matching mag pouch & belt. The stars were so obviously aligned that I couldn't pass it up, so here they are, carrying a Les Baer Custom Carry with chrome (frame) and Kobra Coat (slide) by Tripp Research and YoBo PG sights.
That I am blessed enough in life to have quality leather like this is one thing. The fact that the men who make these rigs are gentlemen of the highest order is one of life's great bonuses, and I'm delighted to have made their acquaintance.
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