About Us

Cannon Leather was born at the Shootists Holiday in Raton, New Mexico, in June of 2010. Like so many other leather workers, I started making holsters for myself out of necessity. My first holsters were rather crude; but after much trial and error -- and tips from true leather craftsmen -- I finally reached a point where I was satisfied with my results.

In the process of making several holsters, strictly for personal use, in the pattern now available as the DA Model, I managed to cut one out with the pattern upside down. Rather than build it rough side out, I built it as a left-hand holster, and decided to see if I could find a friend who could use it. At the 2010 Shootists Holiday, I asked left-handed shooter Jeff Quinn of GunBlast.com if he had a use for a holster for a short-barreled L-Frame S&W.

Jeff said he could use the holster, and then mentioned that he was finishing up an article on a new L-Frame S&W. He said that if I was interested in selling holsters, he would use my holster in the article and include my contact information. I had considered trying to sell a few holsters to supplement my gun fund, and while I wasn't quite sure I was ready to take the plunge, Jeff's offer was too good to refuse.

It quickly became apparent I had a few hurdles to overcome. I didn't have a name for my business, didn't have model names for my holsters, and didn't have any kind of web site where potential customers could learn about my holsters. A short discussion with Jeff and his brother Boge resulted in the name Cannon Leather, and I had an email address at my own domain before we got home -- and this website a couple of weeks later. In typical Jeff Quinn fashion, he went above and beyond his initial offer. Rather than simply including my holster in his L-Frame article, (which he did,) he wrote a glowing stand-alone review. And then he posted links to the review on a number of Internet shooting boards. I had my first order before we got home from Raton.

Each Cannon Leather holster is made entirely by hand using traditional techniques. Holsters are not one-size-fits-all, each one is made to fit the customer's specific model of firearm. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. If you are not satisfied with your holster, I will buy it back for the full purchase price and pay for return shipping. If you would like to discuss a project, please fill out the form on our Ordering page or email me at cannon@cannonleather.com.

Cannon Watts