When I created the Raughnold Raygun almost two years ago I made a holster for it with sort of a Buck Rogers look. Futuristic, but not particularly steampunk. Along with gears and goggles, rayguns have become an iconic part of the steampunk atavistic reality, and I started thinking recently how I would like to construct an alternate holster with a steamier look to it.
Original leather holster
The one element that I came up with to accomplish this was to add straps and buckles. Above is my concept sketch.
And here is a full-size paper mock up.
Next I began playing around with how a single piece of leather could incorporate straps that interwove, like clasped fingers.
Here is the pattern I worked out in a heavy paper, before committing the design to leather.
After a few minor alterations I fashioned it in leather. I decided it still needed some changes, including lengthening the straps, and adding a reinforcement around the belt loop opening.
Here then is my final design.
And here is the back view, showing the interlocking straps.
