I just picked up a Heiser holster that is numbered 920 on the back.

Does anyone know what gun this is for? Looks like it might be for a Colt Woodsman with 6.5 inch barrel. Or???

Thanks, Jolly.

you might contact member turneriver (?), and do a search for a company on the net I think called Vintage Leather

29aholic,

I googled Vintage Leather and found their web site.

Thanks very much for your response and help.

Jolly

I guess the OPs question was kind of answered.

The reality is that HH Heiser holsters is one of those on going questions we can't answer. The model number of the holster has absolutely nothing to do with the gun that fits it. Heiser made holsters for decades, and for any gun you wanted one to fit. The holster model related to the leather, the decoration, and the style. They often used a ball point pen to hand write the gun model it was made to fit on the back side.

When you're looking at one of their holsters, turn it over and hold the thing at various angles to the available light. Very often you can see the writing. Just as often, you can't make out what was written 60 or 70 years ago. If you can, it might not make sense to you as they sometimes used slang to describe the gun. Probably everyone back then knew what they were talking about, nearly no one today does. Just my opinion.

When you see the distinctive Heiser workmanship, take a little time to really look at the thing. If its not in a gun setting, sometimes the prices are shockingly cheap. It means its time to buy it. I picked up a nearly perfect Colt Woodsman holster one time for $20. Got talked out of it a few weeks later for a bit more....

Some of the best leather work I've seen.

My favorite is the one our poster Dewey sold me 6 or 7 years ago. It fits a 4" N frame with target sights. And its the only one I've seen with sheepskin lining. Second favorite was the mistake I bought. I was looking at a table full of Heisers, western style. And I wanted one for a SAA Colt. I was stupid and wasn't paying attention. The one I selected was in much better condition, it was a bunch cheaper, and best of all it fit my belly. So still not paying attention, I bought it. When I got back to our tables at the gun show, Hugh May almost fell all over himself. He asked what I had there, and correctly identified it as a 6" barrel RM holster, right down to the 357 cartridge loops and the leather rear sight block sewn into the inside. Boy did I feel stupid, except I didn't let on how badly I'd stumbled. Its a great holster for a long barrel N. And the Colt is long gone as would be the holster.

These are great pieces of leather to find and own. Just don't trust your judgment. Carry along the gun you need to see if it fits. Its pretty difficult to guess the frame size unless you're really good.

Here's the link:

https://www.vintagegunleather.com/sold-items.html

__________________
Dick Burg

Dick,

Thank you very much for your reply, the link to Vintage Leather and your explanation of Heiser leather.

I did look carefully at the back of the holster and could see "MT" lightly impressed above their trade mark and pattern number. So I'm guessing it was for a Colt Match Target. Would seem about right. From the VL website I've got an idea what vintage this holster is. It has the large brass and black "HHH" inside "HEISER DENVER" in a circle which apparently dates that snap to 1890 to 1930. The trade mark on the back is one used from 1910 to 1925. So a pretty old holster that I picked up at a reasonable cost of 20 bucks. Its in very nice shape. I don't have a Colt MT so may take it with me to Las Vegas next week and see what happens. I do have a Colt Woodsman Sport model with the 4.5 inch barrel that is about NIB with the sight tool for the adjustable front sight. A 1938, 1939 vintage Woodsman.

At the same time, I got another later Heiser holster that is marked on the back in ball point pen style "Kit 2". Which I'm sure is for a 2" barrelled kit gun, model 34. A S&W model 36 with 2" barrel fits it perfectly. This one is a later Heiser with the 1930 to 1950 snap and the 1915 to 1955 style marking on the back. 20 bucks for that one too. It is stamped on the back : "11" over the HHH oval stamping and "1416" below that.

By the way, you directed me to this site back in July of 2002 when I inquired about a K22 SN K132XX that I had just acquired from the original owner. You directed me to this web site. And have since added another K22 M'piece NIB with sight tool, a pre war 38/44 Outdoorsman (98%) in the original box w/ HBH, a 22 Outdoorsman, a pre M35, two early M36's with 2" barrel, another 36 w/ 3" barrel and a K38 M'piece.

Look what you've done. I'm very happy by the way for everything and thanks for that original help back 7.5 years ago.

Jolly

I just happened to think about that holster with the MT on the back.

If the snap is from 1890 to 1930 and the trademark is from 1910 to 1925, a Colt Match Target did not exist during those years. I guess it could have been marked MT by someone at a later time when the MT was available.

Jolly