While picking up the 640-1 today I looked through the holster bin. Apparently someone really didn't value or like their Milt Sparks leather. I found 4 total holsters, each priced at $20 a piece. I didn't know what they were for, but knew the cross draw holster would fit my newly acquired 64-2 snub.

From left to right. 1911 Billboard fits perfect in the summer special, jackpot on the first holster. Second one is a small frame auto SS, Sig 938 feels right at home. Jackpot on number two. The third holster is marked 696, the 64-2 and 66-4 fit great in this one. The last holster is a little loose for the 2 inch, the 4 inch 66 fits great. I think its a 2 1/2 to 4 inch K/L frame holster.

Here are some pics any help identifying these would be a huge help. I paid $80 OTD for all four, seemed like a no brainer.

SVT28

Judging by the flutes on the last one, could it be for the 696 as well?

I will guess with you.
Left is a Summer Special rough side out for 1911.
2nd is also Summer Special. Can't make it out but thought it said
something about Detective?
3rd is a Hackathorn Special for a 696.
4th I agree also for 696 or similar the 1.5" refers to belt loop.
I'm not much help, but fun to guess.

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In Omnia Paratus

Nice find. I usually find junk in those bins.

There was one shop in the Burgh where I picked up several Milt Sparks holsters that way................ just add them to your " BIG Box-O-Holsters"..... then start looking for a gun to go with them.


FYI a 1911 holster will also generally work for a Browning HP................

FWIW; many of my my MS holsters are older and not so tightly boned (like the small one in the pictures)..... I'll mark them (with a Sharpie) with the gun make/model on the inside of the belt loop.

Awesome deal, some guys have all the luck...! The 1911 SS is horsehide. I've got a couple just like it, for other guns. Very nice holster. Hard to beat a MS holster.

Not sure if the small SS is horse hide, or not. It's a little different shade, so I'm not sure. Compare the stiffness and thickness to the 1911 SS. Horse hide is stiffer, and a little thinner and than cow hide.

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NRA Life Member

Here are a couple of Milt Sparks holsters:
On the left the 200AW hosting my S&W model 29.
On the right the popular VMII with my Colt Gold Cup.

Attached Images

	SAM_0009.jpg (111.7 KB, 25 views)
	SAM_0011.jpg (107.0 KB, 28 views)

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In Omnia Paratus

You made a killing there.

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Eccentric old coot

Yes, it sure will.

Attached Images

Hi Power with Summer Comfort Holster.jpg (69.4 KB, 27 views)

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Stay protected my friends.

Amazing finds. I never find anything worth anything in those bins. My best holster finds have been on forum sales areas, but no deals nearly as good as those MS holsters.

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Who watches the watchers?

I own several and have also sold a few. They always bring top dollar. The dealer could have made a fortune by polishing them up and putting them under the glass. Nice find!

Around this part of the state .... dealers give nothing extra for holsters no matter how nice or custom grips........sometimes the holster will stick with the gun...... sometimes thrown into the 'used holster barrel"

Only known one dealer that would hang used MS holster on the wall behind the cases...... so that someone who would recognize a MS or other high end custom holster would see it........they still sold cheap 50-75% off new.

I hold on to holsters and grips or just grab good buys when I have the chance even if I don't have the gun......... yet!!!

w o w...... if only....... I could be so lucky. Good job, I would have bought them all myself.

The 1911 Summer Special was made by the boss, Tony Kanaley ( TK). Look at the stamped logo on the next one over. The original Milt Sparks holsters ( made by Mr. Sparks) had a stamped rectangular logo "Milt Sparks Idaho City". I can't read yours. All of the Boise leather that I have seen have a round logo logo like your other pictures. Mr. Kanaley moved the company to Boise after Mr. Sparks passed away.

FredBart, you are correct in that the first holster is stamped TK and the second holster has the rectangular Milt Sparks stamp, Boise Idaho as you mentioned. It also has DET stamped, would it be safe to assume that these are initials or the gun model?

SVT28

SVT: I think "DVF" might be the craftsman's initials. None of my Idaho City made Sparks products have any initials and were probably made by Mr. Sparks himself. Some of my Boise products have the craftsman's initials in a Roman lettering font like yours. So, yours may be a late Idaho City holster. The earlier holsters and accessories were equally well made, but did not use the lighter contrasting thread like yours and the current Boise made items. You got a super deal on these holsters. They will last forever.

Fred I was in Milt's Idaho City Shop a long time ago. Must have
been prior to 1995 because that's the year he died. Tony was
working with Milt at that time, so he was probably making
holsters. Jim Wall has been with Tony quite a long time. I
know some of the others by first name only, but none of those
initials mean anything to me.

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In Omnia Paratus

Phil: I think Tony and Jim Wall had their own special order round steel stamps to mark their holsters. Other workers may use steel letters like those to stamp wallets or other leather gear. I have a Boise holster that has the letter "MH" embossed on it. This must have been the maker's initials.

The 1980's Milt Sparks leather goods did not any initials on them. Mr. Sparks was a great man to deal with and Tony Kanaley carries on the tradition.

Nice score on some great looking holsters

The 3rd is an HSR and the 4th looks like a 55BN, both probably for the 696 as noted.

I still have a few holsters from the Idaho City shop. I first heard about Milt Sparks from the book Survival Guns by Mel Tappan.

The 1911 holster has completed its break-in with my Billboard. As others have mentioned, this holster is very comfortable. I'm 5'11 and 170 lbs, and it rides nicely (and conceals nicely) at my 4-430. I will be buying another Milt Sparks holster very soon.

SVT28

Well, that is the understatement of the year! He should buy a lottery ticket also!

Currently Sparks has an 18 week backlog. I ordered a holster for my 1911 last week.

While I was in the same store today, I dug through the dark color/leather holster bin and found another Hackathorn for a 4 inch N frame for the same price as the others. I gladly paid the price ans now my 625/25 collection has some nice leather to ride in.




SVT28

What about the reverse? Will a holster made for a HP work
for a 1911?

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In Omnia Paratus

Me thinks that is a 200AW. I don't think the Hackathorn had
the "dog ear" but the 200AW does. Either way it's great
holster.

PS the JW is Jim Wall.

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In Omnia Paratus

Yes, that's a 200AW. Another beautiful find!!