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11-18-2012, 11:31 PM
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Austin style holsters
Could someone share the history of the Austin holsters like the ones Dave Keith makes? Later, Mark
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11-18-2012, 11:35 PM
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I'm bettin' Dave can....man he does nice work! I'm not too sure I have a gun nice enough to sit in some of his leather!
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11-18-2012, 11:41 PM
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Till the good Capn comes around I will pass on the story I have heard .Supposedly designed by a Texas Ranger Lee Trimble and produced by A. W. Brill of Austin, Texas, a noted holster maker.
Last edited by lawandorder; 11-18-2012 at 11:48 PM.
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11-19-2012, 12:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lawandorder
I will pass on the story I have heard .Supposedly designed by a Texas Ranger Lee Trimble and produced by A. W. Brill of Austin, Texas, a noted holster maker.
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Mark,
Like Tony sez above......Trimble went to A.W. Brill to build him a carry rig.
The back was trimmed up closer in profile to that of the holster it's self, with the 'garter' adjusted
to accommodate the desired gun-belt width.
(Legend has it, Tom Threepersons went to S.D. Myers for his custom build...A trimmer holster,
with exposed trigger guard and reduced leather all around. I guess they got that one done as well.)
Photo of (R) Special Ranger Holt and (L) Lee Trimble with a pair of 'San Antonio roses' from 'bout 1922
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My outfits are a version of Trimble's/Brill's design of the 1930s.
Tweek'd to ride a little more comfortable and conceal somewhat better.
My pre-war N frame in someone's custom workin' rig.
Fancy Rig,
Su Amigo,
Dave
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Last edited by keith44spl; 11-19-2012 at 11:00 AM.
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11-19-2012, 09:57 AM
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This is probably way more than you want to know but here us a link
to a document about the AW Brill house with a family history included.
http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=132296
Here's a pair of Brill holsters; the one on the left has an interesting hammer
protector & is suede lined.
The finest Brill I own- made for a Colt .45 auto.
Regards,
turnerriver
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11-19-2012, 12:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turnerriver
The finest Brill I own- made for a Colt .45 auto.
Regards,
turnerriver
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That is without a doubt one of the finest examples of Brill's work I have saw to date.
I may take a stab at re-creating one of those for my own-self, one of these days.  
Su Amigo,
Dave
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11-19-2012, 12:52 PM
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That sure is some fine leather bendin' right there. Thanks for sharing the info and the pitchurs.
The holster Dave made for my 1911 ain't too shabby as I see it.
Dave's pull in a little snugger than Threepersons or Brills to my way of thinkin'.
He does fair to middlin' with a Hybrid Threeperson too.
Last edited by Iggy; 11-19-2012 at 04:56 PM.
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11-19-2012, 01:40 PM
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Iggy, that's another fine looking holster from Dave and a right spiffy looking 1911.
I just love these holster threads.
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11-19-2012, 01:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turnerriver
This is probably way more than you want to know but here us a link
to a document about the AW Brill house with a family history included.
http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=132296
Here's a pair of Brill holsters; the one on the left has an interesting hammer
protector & is suede lined.
The finest Brill I own- made for a Colt .45 auto.
Regards,
turnerriver |
Couldn't wear 'em fer the drool marks I'd be puttin' on 'em
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11-19-2012, 01:42 PM
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11-19-2012, 01:45 PM
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Dave, if having one of my holsters as a model would help just say the word & I'll
send it your way. Doesn't look like you need any help though.
Regards,
turnerriver
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11-19-2012, 01:59 PM
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That there pretty .45 is Dave's. He wouldn't send it along with the dadgummed holster no how.
Aw heck, I gotta show mine off too.
Last edited by Iggy; 11-19-2012 at 02:10 PM.
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11-19-2012, 03:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keith44spl
Mark,
Like Tony sez above......Trimble went to A.W. Brill to build him a carry rig.
The back was trimmed up closer in profile to that of the holster it's self, with the 'garter' adjusted
to accommodate the desired gun-belt width.
(Legend has it, Tom Threepersons went to S.D. Myers for his custom build...A trimmer holster,
with exposed trigger guard and reduced leather all around. I guess they got that one done as well.)
Photo of (R) Special Ranger Holt and (L) Lee Trimble with a pair of 'San Antonio roses' from 'bout 1922
.
My outfits are a version of Trimble's/Brill's design of the 1930s.
Tweek'd to ride a little more comfortable and conceal somewhat better.
My pre-war N frame in someone's custom workin' rig.
Fancy Rig,
Su Amigo,
Dave |
Garter? Is that what the loop around the holster is called? I knew it had to be called something. The Brill's are my favorite holster design. But I think they look weird when made for a thin belt and the "garter" is way up high. So I stitch a "U" shaped piece of leather to the back of the holster with a female end of a chicago screw sticking out a hole in it. Then I make a hole in the backskirt for the male end of the screw (see pic below). The flat edge of that little piece of leather now makes a belt channel for a thinner belt and the garter can still be centered. not original, but I prefer it when thinner belts are used. The screw can be removed for use on a wider belt, too. My version of a Brill on the left here is for a Colt Army Special .41 someone ordered. The little holster was for the same person. I purposely made a higher curve to cover more of the cylinder on a D.A. gun, in this case.
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11-19-2012, 03:48 PM
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I have an El Paso Saddlery Model 1930 Austin holster that is modeled after the Brill design. I like it very much, although not necessariy more than the Threepersons style.
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11-19-2012, 04:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turnerriver
Dave, if having one of my holsters as a model would help just say the word & I'll
send it your way. Doesn't look like you need any help though.
Regards,
turnerriver
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I sure appreciate that offer...Would hate to be responsible for one of those high dollar jobs.
I can build one from jest your photo there....
I kinda tweak the old design a lit'l bit, it relation to the cant of butt, camber and or the vertical dwell....
Got about a dozen patters for each type of handgun I build for...Which ain't but N frame S&Ws and Colt Gov't Model and slight variables of same...
Built this one for myself a couple of decades ago...It's held up purty good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyatt Burp
Garter? Is that what the loop around the holster is called? I knew it had to be called something. The Brill's are my favorite holster design. But I think they look weird when made for a thin belt and the "garter" is way up high.
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Matt,
The position of the 'Garter' is what adjusts the 'belt tunnel' to fit the desired width of belt.
So sumtimes it rides higher that others...Or you cut a garter contured for the look you like the most.
If you like the more manly version...The Texas Jock Strap is the ticket......
Su Amigo,
Dave
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Last edited by keith44spl; 11-19-2012 at 05:59 PM.
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11-19-2012, 04:37 PM
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Here are a couple of Brill's Austin style, one for a 1911
and one for a SAA....
Last edited by lawandorder; 04-22-2016 at 09:27 AM.
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11-19-2012, 07:08 PM
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Sure are some nice old timers comin' out of the wood work here.
Keep'm comin' folks.
Last edited by Iggy; 11-19-2012 at 07:10 PM.
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11-19-2012, 07:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lawandorder
and one for a SAA....
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I SURE LIKE BOTH THESE HOLSTERS! That's a weird little angle in the 1911 holster forward of the trigger guard. Looks like someone trimmed the leather there. What's that book? It looks interesting.
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11-19-2012, 07:46 PM
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Wyatt the leather has been trimmed by a previous owner on a line along the top of the grips.
The book is a great read! "Texas High Sheriffs" by Thad Sitton.
Here is a El Paso Saddlery Austin floral carved and laced.
Last edited by lawandorder; 11-19-2012 at 07:53 PM.
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11-19-2012, 08:37 PM
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One of the best and most interesting threads
I have seen in a long time. Got me hankering for one of Keith's beautiful rigs for my 3.5" 27.
Thanks to all for the very photos. 
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11-19-2012, 09:47 PM
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GLVO, if you like this thread check out another favorite, if you have not already seen it.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-han...ther-pics.html
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11-20-2012, 03:11 PM
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It was mentioned above, by Dave I think, that the back skirts on Brills aren't too visable in profile, a feature i missed when making one for a forum member. He sent it back so I could trim it down.
Before...
After...
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11-20-2012, 06:02 PM
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Very nice.
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02-16-2013, 01:50 PM
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No maker's mark on this one and the lacing is not real common on his work but I think this one is also an A. W. Brill.
Bob
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