S&W Holster Maker

millerj7 · #1 11-04-2014, 12:45 PM

Bought a basketweave lined holster for 4" K frame. Seems well made, two piece construction, reminiscent of old Safariland quality and construction, but stamped with S&W logo. Just curious if anyone knows who made them for S&W?
Jim

millerj7 · #2 11-05-2014, 09:10 PM

Pics of holster.

Golphin · #3 11-05-2014, 09:20 PM

No idea but I like it.

0849 · #4 11-05-2014, 09:42 PM

No idea either, but very nice, I like that border design, nicely compliments the basket weave pattern.

turnerriver · #5 11-06-2014, 11:03 AM

I like getting to post these photos.

Wally Wolfram, former LEO and mentor to John Bianchi made the 2 holsters shown above. He made Colt marked holsters under contract, he also sold holsters under his name, Wolf Brand, Blazer and contracted for other retailers such as G.F. Cake. S&W Bangor Punta bought the Wolfram Co. in I think the 1960's, I think Wolfram S&W holsters were probably late 1960's and early 1970's.
Smith & Wesson holsters changed sometime during the 1970's and I'm not clear on what happened or how it happened. I know that eventually a company called Gould and Goodrich spun off and made holsters under that imprint, I believe Gould and Goodrich were S&W executives who went out on their own.
Your holster was made after the Wolfram days in my opinion.
Not complete information but that's what little I know.
Regards,
turnerriver

millerj7 · #6 11-06-2014, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turnerriver

I like getting to post these photos.

Wally Wolfram, former LEO and mentor to John Bianchi made the 2 holsters shown above. He made Colt marked holsters under contract, he also sold holsters under his name, Wolf Brand, Blazer and contracted for other retailers such as G.F. Cake. S&W Bangor Punta bought the Wolfram Co. in I think the 1960's, I think Wolfram S&W holsters were probably late 1960's and early 1970's.
Smith & Wesson holsters changed sometime during the 1970's and I'm not clear on what happened or how it happened. I know that eventually a company called Gould and Goodrich spun off and made holsters under that imprint, I believe Gould and Goodrich were S&W executives who went out on their own.
Your holster was made after the Wolfram days in my opinion.
Not complete information but that's what little I know.
Regards,
turnerriver

turnerriver,
Thank you for some history and pictures of lovely old time leather work. I just love the old Bianchi and Safariland designs and workmanship. Heiser and S. D. Myers, etc. too but before my time and a little pricey to use. Interesting the range of quality of S&W holsters over the years...I have a K-frame 8 3/8"
western style (leg tie-downs and all) that looks to have been made by Hunter (unlined and no tooling) and have only kept it around to cut down some day!

Aircrewman · #7 11-21-2014, 10:29 AM

turnerriver,
Thanks for the info on the holsters. I remember Wally Wolfram's name coming up in some writings from the gun rags of the late 60's and 70's. I always thought that Bucheimer was the source of the Smith and Wesson holsters of the times when they were offered. Thanks for the piece of historical knowledge!

fat tom · #8 11-21-2014, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millerj7

have only kept it around to cut down some day!

f.t.