Prior to the 1780's, holsters are almost identical in size, shape, and construction across Europe. After considerable research, I've found strikingly little difference in dimensions. I've placed holsters from the 1660's and 1750's side by side, and found less than 1/8" of difference in all dimensions. Further study of pistols found that the dimensions of the locks, triggers, and wrists have a similar lack of variation. National distinctions in construction seem to show up only in the construction of the end cap, and the color of the leather. German and English holsters were black as they considered them part of the harness of the saddle, while French holsters where fair colored leather as they considered them part of the saddle. These reproduction 18th century holsters are the only documented holsters available. They are hand stitched and stiffened using period techniques like jacking with pine tar. They come with the straps to buckle them to staples on the pommel of the saddle, as they were originally issued. I'm currently working on getting iron reinforcing rings which show up in the edge binding of some original holsters. I'm also researching very early flat transitional holsters that appear at the cusp of the Revolutionary War.
