Vintage Holsters

lawandorder · #1 06-22-2011, 06:12 PM

Hope this fits here, and that there are still some folks around that enjoy old leather for their Smiths.

Several years ago I found a nice old holster and was really surprised to see a makers mark or cartouche from North Little Rock Arkansas.

These holsters were made by G.H. "Heine" Henneberger.

Mr. Henneberger was a native of Paducah, Ky. He was born in 1882 and died in 1952. During the 20's he moved to North Little Rock to work for the Railroad, laid off during the depression he joined the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Sheriff/Jailer.

During his time there he foiled a jail break involving a wooden gun (Shades of John Dillinger). He also began making holsters and continued through out his life.The quality of his work is very evident in handling one of his holsters.I have managed to find other examples in the last few years.

I was fortunate to locate his Grandson who shared information about this early leather craftsman and Officer.

Iggy · #2 06-22-2011, 06:36 PM

That is some good looking gear. Thanks for sharing.

Muddyboot · #3 06-22-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawandorder

Hope this fits here, and that there are still some folks around that enjoy old leather for their Smiths.

Several years ago I found a nice old holster and was really surprised to see a makers mark or cartouche from North Little Rock Arkansas.

These holsters were made by G.H. "Heine" Henneberger.

Mr. Henneberger was a native of Paducah, Ky. He was born in 1882 and died in 1952. During the 20's he moved to North Little Rock to work for the Railroad, laid off during the depression he joined the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Sheriff/Jailer.

During his time there he foiled a jail break involving a wooden gun (Shades of John Dillinger). He also began making holsters and continued through out his life.The quality of his work is very evident in handling one of his holsters.I have managed to find other examples in the last few years.

I was fortunate to locate his Grandson who shared information about this early leather craftsman and Officer.

I'm a big fan of the old holsters, never new of this gentlemans work, but he looks to have been a real talent.Thanks for a great post.

bettis1 · #4 06-22-2011, 09:04 PM

Hi Tony. Good to see you here. Those are beautiful old pieces that give me another name to look out for.

Long time, no see. You know you have a chair at my table if you ever get back to the Dallas show.

Bob

Sprefix · #5 06-22-2011, 09:09 PM

Nice lookin' gun skins......................'bout sums it up

Cory10/22 · #6 06-22-2011, 11:32 PM

Very cool. I just bought an older Don Hume for my '61 M10, I just felt she needed to meet someone her own age.

lawandorder · #7 08-05-2012, 10:06 AM

it was stored on went away. I picked up another example of Mr. Henneberger's holsters the other day so thought would add a new image.

Russell Cottle · #8 08-05-2012, 11:28 AM

Those are great old holsters! Thanks for sharing the photos and the info on Mr Henneberger.

crsides · #9 08-05-2012, 11:33 AM

Great looking leather. I'm just starting to appreciate the vintage holsters. If you have any culls, let me know.

Charlie

DoubleAdobe · #10 08-05-2012, 12:21 PM

Great old holsters, and the history of the old maker is a nice addition to the leather. Thanks for the good pics. I love the old stuff.

bamabiker · #11 08-05-2012, 01:39 PM

Those are really cool and different looking. I love that.
Thanks for showing them and sharing the info on Mr. Henneberger.

DGNY · #12 08-06-2012, 07:50 AM

Holsters, belts and accessories tell a major story. It is so easy to think of a gun, cleaned and oiled, as being an artifact only. The leather is a bright link with real people and real times when the gun went to work, to play and, sometimes, to war.

New life and respect are conferred when we see the scars and wear on the leather. I am always stopped short to realize the daily chores, the life-and-death circumstances and occasional high drama - not from a rehearsal of life, but life itself, displayed to the eyes and imagination.

Thanks for sharing.

Dyson

turnerriver · #13 08-06-2012, 11:37 AM

That's an impressive collection of one maker's work. Firearms & the accessories that compliment them are endlessly fascinating & varied.
I'm thankful that there is no end to what I don't know about guns & holsters- the more I learn the more there is to learn.
Remind me to tell you all about Ollie Ohlmeyer one day.
I'm glad to know something about Mr. Henneberger & his work.
Regards,
turnerriver

lawandorder · #14 08-06-2012, 07:53 PM

John that is so true. There are examples of the work of great craftsmen we have never heard of out there waiting to be discovered.

Would love to hear about Ollie Ohlmeyer! El Paso?

rayb · #15 08-07-2012, 01:25 PM

Did the knife and tool (maybe an edger, can't tell for sure) come from Mr. Henneberger also?

rayb

lawandorder · #16 08-07-2012, 07:34 PM

No Ray, those are just examples of old tools. I tried to find Mr.Henneberger's makers stamp and stamping tools but no luck. I did track his sewing machine down to another saddlery but then lost track of it from there.

While chasing info on other local saddlers I found one who had a wooden box of early holster molds including one that was apparently for a 3.5 inch RM.

lawandorder · #17 02-27-2016, 04:08 PM

Mods could this thread be moved to the leather and carry gear section?
Thanks.

turnerriver · #18 02-27-2016, 04:22 PM

Yes, it could.