In Richard Rattenbury's useful book, "Packing Iron", he gives a good deal of information on the early hip pocket holsters, patent's etc. There were a good many variations in the designs. Some featured spring clips, some buttons, hooks, etc. There are some that look as modern as any made by Bianchi or Safariland.

They became popular as more and more states and localities banned open carry or carry at all (in the early 1880s even Texas passed a statewide ban). This didn't stop folks of course. Small pocket guns became popular along with the pocket holster and the shoulder holster.

One if the earliest patentees was a G.W. Browne of New York.

Below is another variation stuffed with an M&P but originally likely made for a 6 shot S&W .38 top break.





I like the design of this type. One side of firm leather that does not print, the other fairly soft. Inside a coat pocket it could work quite well. Note that, on this particular rig, the loops for the belt would place the rig partially in and some out of a hip pocket. Pockets tended to be larger then today and a bit looser. Still this one would print unless a coat covered it some.

tipoc