I saw this book several years ago in a book catalogue, I put off buying it because there really didn't seem to be enough subject matter to justify such a book. I could not have been more wrong. When I finally had one in hand I realized there really was a rich wealth of interesting material especially historically. This book shows the colorful evolution of holsters in the American West tradition. This is a fascinating collection of color and detail that leaves the reader in awe concerning this little known facet of traditional Western Americana. Well worth the price. Hours will be spent studing the beautiful illustrations and carefully researched text. You don't have to own a Colt sixshooter to apprecicate this beautiful book that faithfully follows and matches the tradition of the R.L. Wilson publications on the art of firearms.

This has rapidly become a favorite book of mine and, judging from the constant references to it from holster makers, has become a widely-used reference source. The quality of the book itself is excellent, with lots of crisp, large pictures and good accompanying text. The "frontier" period covered is pretty wide, really the colonial period into the pre-WW2 era. The emphasis, however, is on the 1800s. The first section of the book mostly covers military gunleather and its transition into civilian forms and usage. The bulk of part two is on California and Mexican Loop pattern holsters of the 1800's and early 20th century, although there is good material on a number of other subjects (all gun-related). The holster photo captions in part two tend to be very repetitious as there are numerous style variations presented, but ultimately don't detract from the pictures themselves or the text. This is not a book to buy if you are interested in costume or accoutrements other than gunleather, and you should pass it by if your primary interest is Western film and TV versions of gunleather - the buscadero, or drop-loop style is barely mentioned.

If you're into Cowboy Action Shooting or even history of the Old West, this is a must have book. The pictures are fantastic and the way the book was put together gives the reader an extremely great view of what they wore in the old days. Plus, there are some great pictures from the cowboy movie and television era. Great Book!

I received the book quickly, in great condition. I would definitely use this vendor again.

I'am very happy to add another great western book to my collection. Lots of great pictures and information in this one as well as others I have bought in the past. Great book.

Excellent book on period gun leather. It was a great help to me in establishing period items for cowboy shooting.

Whether you are a cowboy action shooter, single action shooter, cowboy/ western fan, or like myself a budding holster maker and leather worker, this book is a must have for your library. The photos are wonderful, and it was quite clear the author had done his homework researching the subject. Probably the finest work on holsters and gunbelts to date.

There are hundreds of works describing the weapons used in the Old West, yet those treating the subject of how those arms were carried are few and far between--a handful of articles in magazines and collector's journals that defy easy access on the part of the average reader. Enter "Packing Iron," a single source examining frontier gunleather from early saddle and belt holsters of the early nineteenth century to the end of the cowboy era and beyond (20th century examples from Hollywood and television receive some coverage). The book is copiously illustrated with full-color photographs of historical pieces from a variety of collections supplemented by period images illustrating gunleather as it was worn in both studio and field. For the western historian or enthusiast "Packing Iron" is a fascinating book, and for Cowboy Action Shooting participants seeking authenticity in their interpretaions it is almost indispensable.