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Carlisle
Wiley
CUSTOM LEATHER WORK
25-1/2
Elm Avenue
Homer, N.Y. 13077-1107
607-749-5205
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Welcome
to my little spot on the web. I create custom
leather work and accessories for customers who may
require period-correct leather work for reenactment
purposes, or simply want the extra high quality, fit,
finish and durability afforded by better leather than is
available from regular sources. Many of my
customers are Civil War, Revolutionary War, French and
Indian War, or similar period customers. Of course
I can make more modern custom leather work to your
specifications if you need such.
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The
above is a good example of a custom leather holster recently
produced for a Civil War Reenactor who portrays the role
of a Provost Officer in a Confederate Cavalry Unit.
The weapon is a Uberti 1851 Navy "Sheriff" Colt
replica with a 5 inch barrel. This particular pistol
is now out of production, and is now a
"collectible" in itself. He needed a period-correct
style holster but did not want to use a standard
"flap" Cavalry holster as is commonly
used. And to satisfy safety requirements for use in
the field, it had to have a positive securing strap, with
correct period hardware. The solution was a
"Slim Jim" design with exposed trigger, secured
with a "Sam Browne" button. The holster is
of heavy leather, has a plug bottom, and fits the pistol
like a glove. The customer was nothing short of
ecstatic with the result. |
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| This Old
West customer wanted a custom leather holster for his boot pistol, which he did not want
to carry in his boot. In particular, he wanted a cross draw at an
extreme angle in which the barrel would not extend below his vest, and a
good securing strap with a correct 19th Century attachment (
"snap" closures as we know them today are not correct for 19th
Century cowboy images ). He was delighted with this result. |
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| Custom
leather work doesn't always mean duplication of well-known items.
The owner of these original Civil War handcuffs, complete with original
key, quickly learned that they were a real pain in his side when simply
tucked in his belt. He wanted something that would let them hang
from his belt instead, with correct fastener, of course. This simple
solution worked very well. |
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Colonial
flintlock pistols were somewhat large and clumsy, and
period holsters were not much more than leather buckets
hung from a shoulder sling. This rig was made for
a Revolutionary War reenactor. |
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classic Philadelphia Derringer could be carried in many
ways, from simply dropped into a pocket to tucked in a
ladies' garter. A small "Slim Jim" style
custom leather holster also works pretty well. |
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| One
of the most popular types of Slim Jim holster was the
"California" style, which completely enclosed
the action and offered maximum protection from trail
dust and the elements in general. This custom
leather holster has a
plug bottom and houses an 1858 Remington New Army
.44. A properly constructed California style
holster holds the weapon very snugly, and requires no
tie-down. |
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Custom
leather knife
sheaths come in all shapes and sizes. While most
are attached to a belt, sometimes a very large ( and
heavy) Bowie carries better on a shoulder strap.
However they are carried, a snug, firm fit is always
best. |
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| Another
Civil War or Western Cowboy era "Slim-Jim" holster for a 1850 Colt 2nd Model
Dragoon. This is a hefty weapon, it deserves some sturdy
gunleather. The "Sam Browne" button closure keeps
it in the historical era before the invention of the snap closure. |
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War Reenactors often like to use authentic period equipment if
possible, but 140-year-old leather goods are no longer viable for
modern rough use. The owner of these authentic French-made
CW period field glasses (most Civil War optics came from France)
needed a period-style case and new straps for his glasses.
Carlilse's solution was a scaled-down version of an authentic
period-style cartridge box which not only protected the glasses
but could also be used alternatively for spare cartridges or even
for hiding a digital camera out on the battlefield. Please
don't tell the General about the latter! |
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timeless design, suitable for virtually every period from the
colonial frontier to the present day, this antler-horned custom
knife deserved a well-fitting custom sheath. As you can see by the
relative size of the Indian Head nickel, this knife and sheath are
quite compact. |
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1858 .44 cal Remington is a popular pistol for Civil War Cavalry
Reenactors, because it can be reloaded in the field quickly with a
spare cylinder ( or more ). This gives either mounted or
dismounted cavalry a distinct advantage at closer ranges against
infantry which typically did not carry pistols and could only fire
about 3 shots per minute from their muzzle-loading rifle
muskets. Carlisle's personal Remington was accompanied by a
custom case holding 2 spare cylinders. Two wooden dowels
hold the cylinders securely in position so they don't rattle
around and scratch the cylinder finish. |
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owner of this original .31 cal 1849 Pocket Colt also had an
original holster in excellent condition - but obviously one would
not try to actually use a 150-year-old leather item of any
kind. Carlisle made an exact copy of it. |
| Carlisle
is also an active Civil War Reenactor, portraying one of the
20,000+ Native Americans who fought for both sides in that
conflict. (He's a company sergeant with a Confederate
cavalry unit) When he recently acquired a replica
Spiller & Burr, he decided to use a suitably sized version of
the same holster he made for the 1849 Pocket Colt (above). |
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| Here's
the short story -
Leather
is usually "split" after tanning, producing a
"suede" piece (rough on both sides) and a
remaining piece which has the smooth finished surface on
one side we all know and love. Often a hide is
split more than once, leaving a relatively thin skin
side, which is what most cheap leather goods are made
from. Most mass-produced holsters, sheaths, belts,
shoes, and such are produced from less than highest
quality hides.
But
most of my customers are surprised at the thickness and
really solid construction of my work, because I prefer
8-9 oz. leather for it's sturdy, long-lasting quality...
even if I often have to really muscle it into the shapes
and forms I want.
So,
if you need a really nice piece of custom leather work,
feel free to give me a call or drop me an email.
My prices really won't give you sticker shock, and
you'll enjoy a good piece of leather carefully crafted
in America by a native American of the Cree First
Nation.
Thanks
for Visiting!
Carlisle
Wiley
CUSTOM LEATHER WORK
25-1/2
Elm Avenue
Homer, N.Y. 13077-1107
607-749-5205.
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