I picked up a Don Hume snubby holster

[bracebeemer]

I recently picked up a Don Hume snubby holster recently when I purchased a small collection. I’ve never owned a Don Hume before since I rarely stray from Heiser,Myres, or Lawrence. I’ve . . certainly heard of Don Hume as a service or competition maker. I’m impressed with the quality of this holster. I assume it’s an olde model. What can you tell me about Don Hume ? Bill

[rednichols]

Originally Posted by bracebeemer

I recently picked up a Don Hume snubby holster recently when I purchased a small collection. I’ve never owned a Don Hume before since I rarely stray from Heiser,Myres, or Lawrence. I’ve . . certainly heard of Don Hume as a service or competition maker. I’m impressed with the quality of this holster. I assume it’s an olde model. What can you tell me about Don Hume ? Bill

Tell you about your holster? That its belt loop needs resewing :-).

Hume is perhaps the only 'oldie' who actually labelled his holster as a Threepersons in print; distinguished by that well-intentioned scalloping of the belt loop on the backside that not only takes the strain off the sewing there when stitched for a wide belt (didn't work in this case) and clears away room for the main welted seam to be stitched then backstitched from the other side.

The "La Mesa CA" is significant to its age: Don started up his operation there because, despite being an Okie, he was furloughed out of the Navy there after enlisting in '48. His neighbor in nearby Chula Vista? Bill Jordan. When Don returned to OK to operated his business the mark changed accordingly, to Miami OK. That was in either '62 or '63 depending on the source. That means we can confidently date your holster to the 1950s.

Crazyphil is our Hume holstorian here and I expect he will come along and fill in the rest of the blanks for you. Meantime here is the Threepersons page from Don's '62 catalog (my copy has the La Mesa address crossed out by hand and the Miami address rubber-stamped onto its cover):

1962 and later (4).jpg 1 marks (4).jpg

Of course he and JB were good mates. Don's story is largely told from the perspective of his being the prime maker of the Jordan-style Border holster, which started out life in Texas but surely is no longer used. His 'solution' to the sudden need to have a size for automatics is quite an odd choice of construction, considering that autos have been carried in gunleather since 1911ish.

[crazyphil]

Don Hume served in the U. S. Navy from 1948 to 1952. While stationed
on Guam, he took up leather work as a hobby. After his discharge from
the Navy, he was a police officer in LaMesa for about 4 years, and then
a Sheriff's Deputy in San Diego for about another 4 years. He had so
many requests from other Law Enforcement Officers for holsters that he
set up shop in his garage.

When Bill Jordan returned from the Korean War he was stationed at the
Chula Vista Border Patrol Ranger Station. He and Don Hume got acquainted
and became friends. Sam Myres had passed away by that
time, and Bill gave the exclusive use of his name and holster design to
Don Hume. It wasn't long until Hume was able to resign from the Sheriff's
Department and move his business to Miami, Oklahoma. He sold his
business to Oklahoma Leather and retired several years ago. He passed
away just less than two years ago.

Here is a photo of his famous Bill Jordan Border Patrol holster, on a Bianchi
belt, with my Model 19 wearing Herrett's Jordan Trooper stocks.

And an updated model with the thumb break. The gorgeous ranger style
belt was made and given to me by another famous maker, Red Nichols.

[bracebeemer]

Thanks Red and Crazyphil. That info is awesome and it couldn’t come from two better sources. Bill

[max503]

I got one too. Can you believe I picked it up out of a junk box for a song? It fits my Chiefs Special which is a safe queen.

[hogblue]

I live in the Springfield Missouri area and had the pleasure of purchasing some leather from Don Hume personally while he was still in business at his original location in Miami OK in the mid 90’s. Don was real down to Aeros day would bend over backwards to help you. He was a legend in the law enforcement leather industry. He will be missed.

[hogblue]

Earth not Aeros. Hate the spell checks on this phone

[St0rmshad0w]

Cool, that will fit nicely with mt Colt Lawman.

[jcs266]

What a great find OP, and it's an oldie to boot! It's in great shape.

I have a couple Don Hume pieces - a basketweave handcuff case, 38/357 dump pouch and a holster.

The history of Don and his being here in San Diego County is also very interesting as I never knew he began here. I also didn't know Bill Jordan started out here in SD County on the USBP.

[Old cop]

The only thing I can tell you about a Don Hume is I purchased one for my Colt Cobra in 1968, still have it AND it’s still serviceable.