Old-School Leather

El Paso Saddlery has been producing leather holsters since before the turn of the previous century. That’s right, since 1889, the Texas firm has been making some of the most classic designs in existence using premium quality materials and hand workmanship. One example is the #5 "Patton" Holster. And, no, it’s not just named that as a gratuitous tribute to the famed U.S. Army general, it’s called that because the company actually made the model for Gen. George S. Patton prior to World War II. The $150 rig features a forward cant, steel-lined belt loop and hand-sewn toe plug and is available for most semi-automatic along with single-action and double-action revolvers. Other models include the 1940 flap holster for M1911s, which will be familiar to anyone who has ever watched “Saving Private Ryan” or “Band Of Brothers,” and the similar, but swiveling, 1911 holster, a U.S. Cavalry-style rig also known as the “Pershing Model.” Both are available for Government and Commander model guns and Model 92 Berettas. Looking at the company’s holsters on the web is one thing, but seeing them in the flesh, as it were, leaves no doubt as to the quality of El Paso Saddlery’s work. This is heirloom-quality leather.