Slim Jim Western Holster

After reading Trail Hand one of my clients asked my about the "Slim Jim" holster used by the hero Owen Burke. Apparently my client hadn't come across that term before in his readings.

Well since the book took place just after the Civil War which ended in 1865 the pistols carried by Burke were Navy Colts. The classic Colt Peacemaker or the usual cowboy gun of the movies wasn't invented until about 1873 and the low slung holsters that everyone is used to seeing on television were not really in use until that time.

Originally, in fact, holsters were merely the cut off tops of cowboy boots that had the bottom part sewn shut to make a pocket for the pistol in order to protect it from dust and mud. This was either shoved into a belt or perhaps a belt loop was sew on.

The earlier Colt and Remington black powder pistols were longer and thinner than the average Peacemaker. A "Slim Jim" holster was the name used for a long thin holster which was sewn to match the curves of the pistol. It was contoured, a little more elegant and hung straight down.

I chose the Navy Colt as the weapon of choice for my novel because it was Wild Bill Hickock's favorite and he was reputed to be able to walk a can down the street with bullets firing from two pistols at once.