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Old 03-13-2017, 03:06 PM
bracebeemer bracebeemer is offline
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Default The best and fanciest Heiser I've ever purchased

I was set up at the OGCA this past weekend and I was thrilled to be able to purchase a very fancy Heiser holster. The backstory on this purchase is fairly interesting. My friend Tom sets up behind me. He had a Heiser "buscadero" carved and laced holster and belt on his table for sale. I liked the rig but the condition was not quite good enough for me to purchase. While I was walking the aisles and older gentleman saw the holster and asked Tom if he'd be interested in buying a similar holster. Tom said sure and a few minutes later he brought the holster to the table. He said he grew up in Denver and as a kid he had saved his paper route money and purchased this holster new in the early fifties for $50. when I returned and saw the holster I bought it from Tom at his price and I was tickled pink to get it. The story the gentleman told sounded reasonable except the part about the holster being new in the early fifties. I believe this is a pre-war Heiser or I don't know anything about holsters. It's a Heiser #753 'Buscadero" with matching belt. It is fully lined,floral carved, and boy, is it Mexican laced! It has a beautiful polished patina that old holsters get and it's in wonderful condition. The description of a No. 753 is "Extra Fine Belt Holster featuring a narrow belt loop with snap closures, constructed of the very best selected heavy Oak Tanned California skirting leather." What really sets it apart is the factory black dyed finish. I just love it and hope you do too. Sorry for my rambling story but some of you want the backstory.
Bill
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Old 03-13-2017, 03:12 PM
bracebeemer bracebeemer is offline
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I forgot to mention that the holster is made for a SAA. It has an open toe so just about any barrel length.
The belt has 30 loops for .45 Long Colt.
Bill
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Last edited by bracebeemer; 03-13-2017 at 05:33 PM.
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Old 03-13-2017, 04:13 PM
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rednichols rednichols is offline
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When you said ***lster' I thought you meant holster, not holster AND belt. Your acquisition is magnificent. Best I can advise for dating is that it's Depression or later, which is when the snaps changed to the enameled ones you have. The stamps we know were used since at least 1920 or so. Turnerriver will be the only one who can add!
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Old 03-13-2017, 05:51 PM
Kansasgunner Kansasgunner is offline
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Really nice old Heiser! Thanks for sharing it Bill.
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Old 03-13-2017, 06:38 PM
rburg rburg is offline
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I hiked the show but didn't see the holster. Just as well, I don't own any SAAs these days. The only tempting holster I saw was a Colorado Saddlery for $200. I couldn't make out the model scribed on the back, so I passed.
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Old 03-13-2017, 06:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bracebeemer View Post
I forgot to mention that the holster is made for a SAA. It has an open toe so just about any barrel length.
The belt has 30 loops for .45 Long Colt.
Bill
Admit that you have strapped that beauty on and practiced quick draw in front of a mirror! Perhaps even drawled "I'm your huckleberry."
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Old 03-13-2017, 07:44 PM
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Only thing that could add to this story is for you to tell us that the belt fits!
f.t.
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Old 03-13-2017, 08:31 PM
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Extra extra good.
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Old 03-13-2017, 08:38 PM
Lee's Landing Billy Lee's Landing Billy is offline
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Mighty fine!!! Those grips/stocks are equally stunning.
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Old 03-13-2017, 10:16 PM
bluelund79 bluelund79 is offline
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Stunning.....that sums it all up right there. Nice snag
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Old 03-13-2017, 10:20 PM
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Great find! I had something in my notes on Heiser maker's marks about that one being used through the mid-50's. Of course, my notes could be very wrong. I feel sure turnerriver will be able to narrow it down!
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Old 03-13-2017, 10:40 PM
bracebeemer bracebeemer is offline
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On Vintage Gun Leather's website it says that mark was used from 1919 to 1955. I don't know if that is accurate or not.
Bill
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Old 03-13-2017, 10:45 PM
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Maybe "turnerriver" will chime in and narrow down the date
for you. Nice Heiser!
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Old 03-14-2017, 01:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bracebeemer View Post
On Vintage Gun Leather's website it says that mark was used from 1919 to 1955. I don't know if that is accurate or not.
Bill
Knew I shouldn't have mentioned John's name :-). We do know (that is, John/turnerriver and I) that though much of VG's info is good, that particular bit dates some of the stamps inaccurately. We do have a photo of most of Heiser's stamps showing they coexisted around 1920 including that oval. And it was John who pointed out, that the HHH rivet heads, and the HHH snap buttons, disappeared with the onset of the Depression in '29. I don't suppose there's more we could do to date a Heiser unless it were (1) a model number introduced later than the Depression -- example, the 457 in 1939 which exists with most all the Heiser stamps; or (2) a fitment for a pistol that was introduced after the Depression (the ones that come to mind are the P38, the P35, the Commander and the M39; and Heiser was virtually gone by 1960). Neither helps us with this holster with that revolver :-).
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Old 03-14-2017, 02:29 AM
RILEY31 RILEY31 is offline
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I LOVE IT!
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Old 03-14-2017, 10:44 AM
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The Heiser Denver enamel over brass snaps used on your superb rig first appear in Heiser's catalog number 40-my copy has a post card from Heiser advising dealers of a price increase dated April 27, 1942. The number 40 catalog introduced a number of new model holsters, these are the photos that show the new style snap. I have examples of the new snap in both brown or black enamel, the snaps were brass which showed as the enamel wore off.
Catalog number 50, the first post WW II catalog, showed the new model holsters with the new style snaps and had some older model holsters shown with the new style snaps as well.
Snaps and rivets were consumed and would have to be reordered, leather stamps for logos and model numbers essentially never wore out.
Your holster model 753 first appeared in catalog number 30, the belt model 75 first appeared in catalog number 36.
As further confirmation of the gentleman's story, my number 50 early post-war catalog lists the model 753 holster at $25 with Mexican hand carving and belt number 75 at $25, hand carved.
Regards,
turnerriver
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Old 03-14-2017, 01:53 PM
bracebeemer bracebeemer is offline
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Thank you very much John for the information on my Heiser holster. I guess I don't know holsters as well as I thought. I own quite a few carved Heisers from the 50's and they just didn't have the touch,the feel and the look of a pre-war carved Heiser. I guess this could be from 1951 as 66 years can give a certain patina to a holster. It blows my mind when I see a catalog cut that shows holster #753 in plain finish for $8.50 or have it fully floral carved for $1.50 more. Labor was so cheap back then. John I assume the No.9 on the belt and holster refers to the black finish. Thanks again for the information. Here's a few more close-ups of the belt and holster.
Bill
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Old 03-15-2017, 01:52 PM
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I find it interesting that only the part of the holster facing out is dyed as opposed to the whole thing. I like the contrast.

Really super rig!!
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