I was given a tooled Hunter belt a week and a half ago and just replaced the torn off bullet loops on it. Then today I go dumpster diving in a gun shop junk holster box and found this matching Hunter holster that fits the belt exactly. My M&P fits perfect but I don't know if it's for a 4" K frame. The back is marked "54 M". and is open in the back though it has a slightly forward cant. Any idea what gun this fine holster is for?

The gun you have in it looks great

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Riding, Shooting, and Truth

54M is a generic code for 4" Medium Frame revolvers, listed for both 4" J- and K-frames from S&W, among other guns from other manufacturers.

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SWHF #448

Looks like a 4 inch K frame to me. A j -frame would be a bit loose in there.
Like the man said...if the holster fits....wear it !

WB - Have you tried a 1911? Saw an ebay auction that said 54 M was for a 1911 with 3 1/2 barrel. Might be a possibility. Isn't it fun to try to figure holsters out?

BTW - I think the wife of the guy that gave you the belt sold the holster to the gunshop. Looks like a great match to me. And isn't that the "wrong" hand for you?

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

That's the frustrating part! The holster is perfect but I'm left handed. But it was a strange twist of fate to find that holster right after I was given the matching, yet older belt.

Just saw an old Hunter Holster Chart on "The High Road" site 10/29/2012. Look under Handguns: Holsters and Accessories for it. I don't know how to do a link. It shows many fits for a 54 M.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

If I'm not mistaken, and lord knows I quite often am, I believe that's a cross draw holster, for a righty of course.

You can call Hunter and they'll tell you

What he said..

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Eccentric old coot

It is indeed a crossdraw with a retention-spring screw that when tightened,or loosened,allows it to properly fit a large number of 4" revolvers. And I agree that it was quite fortunate for you to have found it so soon after getting the belt. Good lookin' rig,if you ask me.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

My well used 54M is a good fit for my 4516.

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"GUNS UP"

Worth rummaging through junk holster boxes. Stamping looks awful nice to be a Hunter. Almost all Hunter stuff I've seen in this part of the world has been russett colored strong side draw revolver rigs of varying size and conformation. I like the stamping,a nice pattern to entice you into purchasing more leather working tools to make me a holster for my DS, belt and cartridge slide.

Beautiful looking holster but I am not all that fond of the exposed Hammer and Trigger. I know that was the style back in the day, but holsters have come a long way. I suppose for a trip to the Range or a hike around the woods it might be OK, but for serious CCW I'd not use it. YMMV of course. It is very beautiful though........

Oh, please! It's not for a Glock or any of the other combat Tupperware® out there!



S&W Model 37 in a NOS Safety Speed holster. The safety strap is around here somewhere. I still use this for concealed carry. Lawyers required the defacing of the maker's mark.

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

It looks like a older holster some Peace Officer would have used. Back in the day, if you had a few bucks you could get nice leather for work. The K Frame Smith was the Police Gun for many years, that or a 1911. I'd have worn that rig if it would have fit me and my gun.

I love digging through the junk boxes. Ive found NOS grips in ratty boxes, holsters, nice slings that just needed saddle soap or neatsfoot oil.

I have a SA very small holster. It was a buck or 2. Had it many years. My wife wanted a Ruger Bearcat. The little 22 fits the holster perfect. Now she can carry the , il cat when we woods walk the farm. Have bought several nice ones and seems like the right gun comes along.

I didn't hesitate to pick this Hunter up when I saw it. Carries high and tight to my somewhat rotund physique. That's a Model 37 with a Tyler T-grip in it. Hardly know it's there! That is a Mika pocket holster propping it up,an alternative to OWB carry which I frequently employ.



f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

In the same box I found the tooled Hunter, and where I've found about four other classic holsters, I noticed this thin piece of stained leather flattened out by all the old slings and dusty nylon holsters. It intrigued me and I assumed it was home made. But lifting the simple stitched on belt loop I found the Berns-Martin stamp. It turned out to be an uncatalogued B-M inside waistband holster. People might get tired of me showing it, but I'm still jazzed about finding it. And with it's age old sweat stains, it matches my 1951 Cobra perfectly.

Beautiful old holster. I had no idea Hunter made such fancy leather. I have several Hunters but they are simple and pedestrian. I don't really understand the nervous nellies who get all excited about the lack of trigger coverage. I carried holsters like this for years without every experiencing a problem with safety or other issues.

It's a spring holster, and it can be worn cross draw or strong side. I've worn mine both ways. BTW, we had this conversation when someone posted a picture of Tom Selleck in "Bluebloods" wearing one at 4:00 with a snubbie in it. You gonna tell Tom Selleck he's wrong?

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

What? No ivory, stag, or buffalo horn grips? With the blue/black finish, ivory or stag would look AWESOME! The black buffalo horn grips really set my nickel Model 37 off.

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I happened to be browsing in some old American Rifleman magazines yesterday and spotted that very Hunter holster. It was May 1956. Black or brown. Plain was $4.80. Flower carved, like yours, $6.70. They called it a Combat Action Holster (for peace officers, detectives, sheriffs and guards). "The Hunter spring belt combat holster is built for maximum concealment, quick access, nd is equally efficient for regular or cross-draw work. Adjustable spring tension. Gun will not fall out."