Most popular percussion revolvers today?

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Tallbald

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As many here know, in my forced retirement I craft custom holsters for reproduction BP revolvers and handguns. I'd like to assemble an assortment of examples to use for patterning. Right now in my shooting selection are Ruger 7 1/2 inch revolvers both fixed and adjustable sights. And a wonderful NAA Companion percussion revolver. And a CVA Optima 2, .50 caliber hunting weapon.
What are the most sought after reproduction revolvers and single shots we as a group love? With time, I hope to offer holster selections for other enthusiasts.Thank you. Don
 
In order of popularity:

Remington New Model Army (Sometimes incorrectly called the Model 1858.)

Colt 1860 Army.

Colt 1851 Navy

Be aware that these come in varied barrel lengths that were never cataloged in the originals. For purposes of holster making for Colt's you can have one frame & cylinder, and interchange an assortment of barrels. Consider buying less expensive brass-framed examples from the used gun market.
 
Many, if not most 1861 replicas turn out to be made using the 1860 Army platform, which can serve as a holster pattern.
 
If I were in the business (and I know it is a hobby/restorative work) perhaps what Old Fuff said and I'd add a Colt Walker and a general percussion/flintlock open bottomed pistol holster. If someone wanted something custom they could mail the BP weapon to you for a pattern: the beauty of the law.
 
What Old Fluff said. I would think Civil War holsters would be popular as you kinda have to have a holster if you're doing reenactments but you don't really need a holster if you just shoot at the range.

I'm left handed and left handed Walker holsters seem hard to find unless you go with custom.
 
One percussion Colt in the 1851/1860 persuasion will suffice. Don't need every barrel length.

I made a really big deal out of getting a Walker two years ago and so far have had exactly one order for a Walker holster.
 
Colt 1861.

I prefer the Remmy but my all time favorite and go to is the ROA. It's my first and remains the first in my heart when it comes to cap 'n ball.
 
Consider buying less expensive brass-framed examples from the used gun market.
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I have to say that i think this is bad advice, if you're not able to examine the gun first, in person. I'd buy a used steel frame over a used brass frame any day of the week off gunbroker. Over loaded brass frames stretch, so your chances of buying a stretched frame are much higher.The brass frame 1851's are just about the cheapest C+B out there, so i wouldn't cheap out and buy used unless it's a ridiculous deal.
 
Inexpensive Alternative

If you just want a "holster dummy" you could consider, and I hate to say this phrase, non firing replicas. You won't find every type you need but you can sometimes find them on e-bay for 60 dollars or less.
 
I have to say that i think this is bad advice, if you're not able to examine the gun first, in person. I'd buy a used steel frame over a used brass frame any day of the week off gunbroker. Over loaded brass frames stretch, so your chances of buying a stretched frame are much higher.The brass frame 1851's are just about the cheapest C+B out there, so i wouldn't cheap out and buy used unless it's a ridiculous deal.
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Overloaded stretched brass frames only account for thousandths of an inch insofar as the function of the pistol is concerned.

It might make a huge difference in the operation of the pistol, but not so much if one is creating a holster to fit a pistol with "correct" measurements. After all, there has to be a slip fit between the pistol and the holster. How tight do we want to get, and how tight does the holster maker create his tolerances?

Surely it is not in thousandths of an inch.
 
Gentlemen.... and of course all others. :D

What the frame is made out of (brass, steel or green cheese) is a moot point. The intended use for these revolvers is not to shoot, but have something to make patterns and mold leather in his budding holster business.

Carry on. ;)
 
Exactly Old Fluff... Well said, and excellent advice given above.

I would only add, as no one else has, that since he is asking the most POPULAR, and not any ones favorite, or one makers quality over another (presumably to meet the highest demand first), I would stick with the Piettas.

They are probably most popular because they are a bit cheaper not to mention that many are introduced to C & B through Cabelas that seems to concentrate on the Pietta brand. They also tend to be a tad larger then the originals or the Ubertis... So an original or Uberti would fit in leather made for the Pietta, while a Pietta or original may or may not stretch into one made for an Uberti...

A Pietta Remington and 1860.. Both with 8" barrels... Would get one off to a GREAT start and I suspect would give one PLENTY of work... Of course, leading to enough money to buy more types\sizes\models for both more work AND fun!

Good Luck OP, hope this helps!
 
1851 colt navy in 44c I need a holster in left hand and I need a clip on holster for my Naa super companion so I can carry it clipped on my pants pocket when I don't want to use a belt to hold the one I have now on!
 
Thank you each and every one who took time to help me with suggestions. Really.
My first loves in leather crafting are 1) custom laminated leather belts and, 2) full flap holsters for handguns from the 1830-1900 era.
Ive crafted many full flap holsters for my beloved Ruger Old Armys for both myself and other enthusiasts (an example I am offering now for the 7 1/2 inch adjustable Ruger Old Army is below). My loving wife has suggested that I should purchase a few different models to use for fun and patterning, but I don't know a lot about any except the ROAs. Much less about what variants are most popular with the modern BP shooting crowds
I'm making notes of the comments. I have a beautiful reference book for collectors of antique leather that I often read and study for inspiration.
Thank you all again. Don Sterchi
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A couple of ideas. I send pistols off to gunsmiths on a good faith basis. Would there be a market for custom made holsters crafted for " that revolver" on an owners spec basis, instead of having a dummy for every revolver.

In this day of web ordering a web site would seem to be a must have business practice.
 
Thank you everyone for all the suggestions. I'm taking notes for sure. My loving wife Miss Penny several years ago asked me to craft a belt clip holster for her NAA 1 1/8 inch mini. She's carried it for years, and I've thought of some modifications I can make to improve it somewhat too. The one I made for her is hand stitched, whereas I cannot hand stitch any longer. I'd like to craft a new one and machine sew it this time. Suggestions gratefully accepted. My best to everyone. Don Sterchi
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whughett I agree about a website being needed. My wife Miss Penny has an Etsy site, which is what I'm working on for my leather art. It's an affordable place to show crafts one makes.
Some folks have asked me before to let them send me for example a hatchet they need a sheath crafted for, but honestly, I worry about the risk of me becoming sick (or dead) and the person having to work to get back their object. I keep very good records and such, but the risk is in my mind too much so I will stay with crafting for standardized items. That's why I am limited in what I can craft for sale. Thank you for the suggestion. it encourages me even more. Don Sterchi
 
A couple of ideas. I send pistols off to gunsmiths on a good faith basis. Would there be a market for custom made holsters crafted for " that revolver" on an owners spec basis, instead of having a dummy for every revolver.
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You'd have to have an FFL for anything but blackpowder guns. Folks send me knives and hatchets all the time. I'm about to do a sheath for a customer's Kukri.

You don't need a dummy of every make, model and barrel length. With a single 1860 or 1851, you can make holsters for those guns in any barrel length, plus 1861's and cartridge conversions for any of them. With a single gun, you can make holsters for all the Colt pocket models, regardless of barrel length. You would only need one 1858 to cover all makes and models. One Dragoon covers all Dragoons.
 
'58 New Model Army

1851/61 Navy

1860 Army

Walker/Dragoons

All the others, the .31 caliber pocket models, 1862 .36 caliber pocket Navy/Police, the LeMat, the Paterson are not common enough to bother with. In those instances you can do them as a custom job and charge a nice price for.
 
in post 18 I like the pocket clip on holster and I own a Naa super companion and I would like a lefthanded clip on holster kinda like that but darker leather I do have a bottle of neatsfoot oil so I can darken it myself if the leather is bright tan but either way!
 
As for most popular, it would have to be the brass-framed Pietta .44 Navies sold at Cabelas for like $19.99 when they're on sale.

As for the best, I would have to say the ROA is the greatest percussion revolving belt pistol every made, but of course, it had about 150 years of development on it since it was made only recently.
 
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