The Brazos

The Brazos River was arguably the most important water course in early Texas. Although Moses Austin started the project... after his death, his son, Stephen F. Austin, established the first successful Anglo - American colony in Mexico, the province of Texas, beginning in 1820. Austin's colonists had their land situated mostly along the Brazos river and it's tributaries. A married colonist was usually granted a "league" (appx 5,000 acres) plus a bonus (a "labor") for each family member, and sometimes an extra league for certain situations. The land grant was almost always situated so that each colonist would have some of his land adjacent to the river. The colonist was to pay the cost of surveying the land (about 10 cents per acre) to Austin. This is where the profit for Austin, for securing permision to colonize, was to come from. These colonists used the river for commerce and transportation. By the way, I had two great great grandfathers, and one ggg grandfather in the "Old Three Hundred" colony of Stephen F. Austin. When they came to Texas, they arrived near the confluence of the Navasota River and the Brazos River in December, 1820. They were encamped on a creek in that area on New Year's day, 1821. Someone of these early colonists named the creek "New Year's Creek."

As a matter of interest, here in Texas, amongst Anglo's, this river's name (the "Bra" part) has always been pronounced like "bra" in the word "brass." Thus the "Braz - zus" River.

The "Brazos" holster has clean lines and a classic look.

Shown above in a straight draw vertical barrel no drop configuration with a Ruger Vaquero, 5 1/2" barrel.

This double rig has a 7 1/2" Colt's SAA on the left, and a Ruger Old Army 7 1/2" on the right.
Shown, with five (5) 1882 silver dollar conchos, and two rows of border stamping with one raised line between, this double rig has a 3" wide tapered belt and 12 cartridge loops. The buckle side of the billet on this belt was made a little longer than normal in anticipation of loosing weight and needing to shorten the belt at some point in the future (I am an optomistic soul). See Prices and ordering info to figure cost.

(For a close-up of these truly beautiful coin conchos, click here, and scroll down.)

The belt loop on any holster can be made longer, so as to drop the holster lower on the belt, as is the trigger guard area on all cross draw holsters. This has the effect of lowering your revolver while still using a straight "period correct" belt. The above example is dropped far enough so that the bottom of the grip is at about the center of the 3" wide gunbelt. The barrel is also canted forward about 8 degrees. A set of these holsters can be worn forward as shown, or reverse their positions for grip forward (cavalry draw).

A "Cross Draw" holster built to match any of our "skirted" rigs can be formed to the exact shape of the "Strong Side" pocket, but the wide skirt can be eliminated (as below) and the belt loop formed by folding the leather over and securing it with a loop and Chicago Screws (just like when the skirt is present). I will, however, build a cross draw holster with the same skirt as the straight holster. The elimination of the skirt on a crossdraw "Brazos" rig gave birth to the "Llano" holster, featured elsewhere.

A two loop variation such as shown on the "San Gabriel" holster below, is also an option.

All of our holsters are available in any barrel length... up to 8" without extra charge.

There is usually no additional charge for larger belts, by the way...

See Prices and ordering info: click here

Remember, we are a full custom shop and will make alterations and variations of any of the designs you see, as well as origional designs, if you have a photo or can describe what you would like. There is no additional charge for redesigning or designing according to your desires. (I get my best ideas from my customers)

Sadie Hawkins Sale:
From now till February 29...(Leap Day... Sadie Hawkins day in Dog Patch) with any order for a double rig, you may order a 3rd holster, and, or, a shotgun shell belt, at 1/2 price. Now you can have a cross draw and two regular holsters, plus a shotshell belt at a substantial discount.

e-mail: Don Barnett

Phone: 281-659-3998

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