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Vintage Hand Tooled Leather Western Cowboy Buscadero Gun Belt Holster Rig

Item Overview

Designer: Artisan Leather Silversmith / British Saddler
Brand: Unbranded / Custom Maker's Stamp Not Found
Manufacturer: Traditional United Kingdom Leather Workshop
Place of Origin: United Kingdom
Style: Buscadero Drop-Loop / Wild West Rodeo Reenactment
Design Era: Late 20th Century (c. 1970s–1980s)
Material: Heavy-Duty Full-Grain Saddle Steerhide Leather & Solid Brass Hardware
Set Includes: Single Drop-Loop Gun Belt with Detachable Matching Holster & Thong Leg Tie
Condition: Excellent Vintage Condition
Size: Adjustable 32" to 36" Hip Fit

Historical Context

Dating: This rig dates strictly to the mid-to-late 20th century (c. 1970s–1980s). The specific deep-carved figurative horse artistry, combined with the classic low-slung "Buscadero" style drop-slot, is diagnostic of the 1970s Western riding and rodeo revival boom that captured the imagination of UK equestrian clubs.
Historical Note: The "Buscadero" style gun belt (where the holster hangs lower from a built-in slot on a wide belt rather than looping over the top) was initially invented by Hollywood outfitters to make quick-draw action scenes look more dramatic on movie screens. During the height of the British Western club movement, local leather workshops stepped in to meet the demand for premium gear. This rare, UK-made pair bridges authentic transatlantic cowboy functionality with classic British artisan leatherwork and heavy-duty forging. It completely avoids standard floral patterns to celebrate equine folk art, featuring a proud horse portrait directly on the holster pocket and a detailed herd-and-homestead panorama along the back.

Description

A stunning piece of wearable Western folk art, this vintage cowboy gun rig showcases incredible hand-carved dimension and a rich, warm tan patina. Crafted from thick, heavy-weight dual-layered saddle leather, the rig is built to comfortably carry a traditional single-action western revolver (such as a Colt .45 or Ruger Vaquero replica).

The front of the holster features an expansive portrait of a horse's head, while the back curve of the wide belt chassis beautifully mirrors this theme with a deeply debossed scene of running horses alongside a traditional rural barn house and homestead fencing.

Expert Identification & Design Features:

Artisan Hand-Tooled Horse Motifs: Features a deeply recessed carving of a bridled horse's head with a flowing mane on the main pouch, paired with a beautiful scenic panorama of galloping horses along the kidney backing.
Buscadero Drop-Slot Layout: Designed to sit low on the hip for an authentic quick-draw silhouette. The reverse view confirms a traditional integrated drop-loop sleeve that anchors the holster firmly to the contoured belt chassis, preventing unwanted shifting.

Premium Raw Suede Interior: Features a completely unlined, heavy-weight raw steerhide backing providing an excellent natural grip against clothing and showing off authentic 20th-century artisan leather construction.
Leg Tie-Down Lace: Complete with an original leather leg-tie lace woven through a clean structural eyelet at the base of the skirt to anchor the holster securely to the thigh.

Size & Measurements

Gun Belt Hip Fit: Adjustable between 32 inches (81.3 cm) and 36 inches (91.4 cm) from the inside edge of the buckle to the adjustment holes.
Estimated Fit: Ideal for individuals wearing modern trouser waist sizes 28" to 32" (due to the low-slung, over-the-hip silhouette of Buscadero styling).
Holster Barrel Depth: Fits standard 4" to 6" barrel Single Action Army (SAA) style western revolvers, replica blank-firers, or vintage toy cap guns.
Fit Note: Please measure your hips exactly where you intend the belt to rest before purchasing to guarantee a flawless fit.

Condition Report

This rig is in excellent vintage condition, showing beautiful display qualities and remaining entirely functional. The thick saddle leather is wonderfully supple and strong, with no deep dry-rotting, structural cracking, or torn stitching. The hand-tooled horse scenes remain remarkably deep, crisp, and clear. The brass buckle holds securely and retains a great heavy weight.

Note on Vintage Patina: As shown in the close-up gallery image, there is an authentic patch of verdigris (natural green age-oxidation) on the interior suede liner leather directly behind the brass buckle loop. This is a standard, completely harmless chemical reaction between vintage brass hardware and leather tannins over several decades, serving as an excellent proof of age for collectors.

Condition:

Shipping & Logistics

Domestic Shipping: FREE UK TRACKED DELIVERY.
International Shipping: We proudly ship worldwide via the eBay Global Shipping Programme (GSP).
Packaging: Securely wrapped in high-density padding to keep the curved profile of the holster secure and prevent the thick leather belt from twisting tightly or cracking during transit.
Dispatch: Ships within 1 business day.

Returns & Payment Policies

We want you to be delighted with your heritage find.

Not as Described: In the unlikely event of an error in our listing, we will provide a full refund and cover the return postage costs.
Change of Mind: We accept returns within 30 days; however, in these instances, the buyer is responsible for the return shipping costs.
Payment: Secure checkout via eBay Managed Payments (Credit/Debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal).