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Old 08-06-2017, 07:18 AM
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Default A little Texas historical story - A. W. Brill Holsters

Leather goods are not my thing, but I will pass along pertinent parts of a brief article which appeared in the August 2017 edition of Ranch and Rural Living Magazine published every month by our local electric co-op (Rio Grande Electric Co-op) for its members in West Texas. It may be of some interest to holster collectors. It was written about the author's inheritance from a grandfather of group of guns and holsters, among which items were two holsters stamped "A. W. Brill/Maker/Austin, Tex." The present owner did some research and found that "A. W. Brill" was August William Brill, born in Welcome TX in 1872. He moved to Austin around the turn of the 20th Century, where he was listed as a saddle maker and salesman at W. T. Wroe and Sons Saddlery. In 1896, he had a son, Arno William Brill. By 1912, August and son Arno began making holsters (among other leather goods) on their own (possibly having bought out Wroe Saddlery). Their holsters were reported to be popular among Texas Rangers. The A. W. Brill Company operated in Austin until the 1950s selling holsters and leather goods. The Brills also became active in Texas real estate and lakefront property development in the 1940s. Arno's oldest daughter was named Idanell, born in 1919, and was always called Nellie. August Brill died in 1954, followed by Arno Brill in 1968. The interesting part of the story was that in 1940, Nellie marred John Connally, later a long-time and popular Governor of Texas who was in the presidential limousine when John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, and was himself wounded in the attack.

This is a link to a more complete history of the Brills: A.W. Brill Company History and Maker Marks - www.vintagegunleather.com California

Last edited by DWalt; 08-06-2017 at 07:39 AM.
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Old 08-06-2017, 10:41 AM
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Great info,thanks for sharing.
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Old 08-06-2017, 11:18 AM
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Good information. Thanks for sharing that and I'm impressed that your electric company, even in Texas, was willing to post something about Guns without worrying about offending some customers.

Last edited by Bob L; 08-06-2017 at 11:20 AM.
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Old 08-06-2017, 12:37 PM
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A. W. Brill is quite well known within the leather goods business. Beautifully executed holsters of the single-loop design, frequently hand carved in the floral style, and matching belts and accessories.

Ranger Joaquin Jackson credited Brill for his personal carry rig in the autobiography "One Ranger". Jackson's career as a ranger was during the 1970's to 1990's, so Brill's shop was apparently still in production to that era. I have not heard of anything during more recent years.
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Old 08-06-2017, 04:42 PM
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I would love to have a scan of that article, for completeness' sake, but a PM to you 'bounced' because your box is full :-)
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Old 08-06-2017, 07:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
Their holsters were reported to be popular among Texas Rangers.
I like to think that my one and only A.W. Brill holster was DEFINITELY owned by a Texas Ranger!! That is my story and I am sticking to it!

They do have a really interesting history.
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Old 08-07-2017, 12:14 PM
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If you are driving thru Waco, Texas,,,be sure to stop at the Texas Ranger's Museum!!!
It is easy to find and easy to see a treasure of firearms.
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Old 09-30-2017, 11:04 AM
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I was under the impression that Tol Dawson, a retired TexasRanger, made Jacksons leather.
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Old 09-30-2017, 10:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by usmc2427765 View Post
I was under the impression that Tol Dawson, a retired TexasRanger, made Jacksons leather.
And the book cited, One Ranger, would seem to agree with you:

dawson.jpg

(I don't have the book, so had to hunt around a bit w/ my friend mr. google.)
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Old 10-09-2017, 08:40 AM
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I am always interested in TX history, and the TX Rangers. I grew up in TX. Thanks for the information.
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Old 10-09-2017, 07:55 PM
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I read that A.W. Brill was Nellie Connolly's father. Her husband, Texas governor John Connolly, was wounded when JFK was shot.

El Paso Saddlery makes a copy of the Brill holster called the Model 1930 Austin. I have one and like it very much. El Paso Saddlery – Custom Leather Holsters & More

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Old 11-17-2021, 05:38 AM
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Default N J Rabensburg was the maker of the "Brill" holsters and not Arno W Brill

I am Neale Rabensburg, the grandson of saddle and holster maker, Newton Joseph Rabensburg, who was associated with the A. W. Brill Company in Austin, Texas for 23 years both as an employee from 1932 to 1935 and as the successor/owner from 1935 until about 1955. During his retirement, N. J. Rabensburg continued to make holsters, belts and other leather products at his home workshop located at 1903 (N.) Lamar Blvd. in Austin. He died in 1961 at the age of 71.

N. J. Rabensburg probably made many (if not all) of the A. W. Brill holsters from 1932 forward. The “glory” years for the A. W. Brill Company (the Company) occurred with the arrival of Rabensburg in the late summer of 1932.

Arno W. Brill (Arno) was a part of that equation, at least until 1935, but served the Company not as a holster maker but rather as traveling salesman of custom leather products made by others. The Austin Statesman newspaper dated May 18, 1924, describes Arno's position with the Company as "head road representative of the leather house. Young Mr. Brill (Arno) sells a large volume of leather goods to the retail trade in such towns as Brady, Mason, Junction, Llano, New Braunfels, Georgetown and Taylor”.

One vintage leather company notes the position of Arno W. Brill as “Traveling” according to the 1929 Austin City Directory. This description appears to be very accurate with Arno continuing as a traveling salesman for the A. W. Brill Company.

The A. W. Brill Company (the Company) was established by August W. Brill in 1912. August took over the existing saddle and harness business of the Kluge Brothers, Henry and Charlie but not the W. T. Wroe and Sons Saddlery and Harness as reported by others. The Kluge brothers continued to work for the Company according to the Austin Statesman dated May 18, 1924. Henry served as an accountant, and Charlie reportedly made quality saddles. In 1924, the A. W. Brill Company was located at 218 E. 6th Street in downtown Austin.

On April 14, 1959, the esteemed columnist, Anita Brewer (Brewer) of the Austin American newspaper, chose to write about the leather and holster career of Newton Joseph Rabensburg. Noted in that article was the following: “Since 1932 he has worked in Austin, taking over the business of the late A. W. Brill (August).” The newspaper photo of N. J. Rabensburg shows him tooling a belt with a 2nd belt and six holsters in view, which are tagged and ready for sale. The topmost holster, when enlarged, indicates the "Brill" name as maker. Two leftover leather holster cuffs within the Rabensburg Tool and Leather Collection (the Collection) bare the A. W. Brill mark. Much of the Collection has been donated in recent years to the Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives in La Grange, Texas.

If Arno W. Brill had been the known maker of the A. W. Brill holsters, then the Austin American newspaper and its writer, Anita Brewer, would have interviewed Arno for her 1959 article. Instead, Brewer and her newspaper chose N. J. Rabensburg because each of the two were aware, as were thousands of customers, business associates and close friends in Austin, central Texas and around the State and nation, that N. J. Rabensburg was the maker of the A. W. Brill holster and the head of the A. W. Brill Company.

Important to note is the A. W. Brill maker stamp, which continues to remain in the Rabensburg Tool and Leather Collection. A donation of this important artifact, which measures 4 inches in length and cast in solid steel, is anticipated in the near future to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas. This A. W. Brill maker stamp was used by N. J. Rabensburg during his retirement in his home workshop in Austin from the mid-1950s until his death in 1961 and probably was used years earlier at the downtown E. 6th Street location for the A. W. Brill Company store starting in 1932.

N. J. Rabensburg became the "Successor to A. W. Brill" in a notice to the public published in the Austin American newspaper on June 27, 1937. The store location at that time was given as 300 E. 6th. However, the Bastrop Advertiser newspaper notes an earlier date by almost two years for the transfer of ownership. This earlier date is September 26, 1935 and gives an Austin property address of 302 E. 6th Street. The two notices are probably repeat notifications in Austin and surrounding towns of Rabensburg's acquisition of the A. W. Brill Company.

From several written accounts, N. J. Rabensburg's leather career began first as a teenager in La Grange, Texas. There he worked for La Grange Saddle and Buggy Shop probably starting at the age of 16 or 17 years. One of his duties may have included road trips to Austin during the years of 1907 to 1909 for delivery of his Company's wholesale leather products or to receive wholesale products from saddleries in Austin.

When he was about 19, he moved to Dallas, where he was a wholesale leather supplier, then to Silver City, New Mexico and then for a two-year period to Price, Utah. He reportedly owned his business in Utah where he made saddles, chaps and other leather products. He returned to La Grange in 1915 at the age of 25 years and married the mayor’s daughter. That same year, he bought a partnership in an existing saddlery, which became known as Zwiener and Rabensburg with a town square location.

N. J. Rabensburg married Lillian Edna Speckels in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in La Grange, Texas on July 23, 1915. Lillian was the daughter of Henry W. Speckels, who was the Mayor of La Grange and Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department. In 1920, N. J. Rabensburg bought a saddlery business in Llano, Texas, which was located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country and about 150 miles to the northwest of La Grange.

N. J. Rabensburg served the Llano Town Council both as an Alderman and as Mayor. His tenure as Mayor, however, was cut short when he made the decision to accept a job offer with an option to purchase at the A. W. Brill Company in Austin, Texas. The year was 1932, and N. J. Rabensburg and his wife Lillian and their three sons, Aubrey, Walter and Newton, Jr. made this their final relocation. The family took residence on the crest of a hill at 1104 W 7th Street.

In the late 1930s, N. J. Rabensburg built a new house on the side of hill fronting Shoal Creek Drive in Austin. Shoal Creek and Pease Park were across the street. Unfortunately, the front yard and a portion of the hill were removed by a new road during the early 1940s. The home address changed from 1903 Shoal Creek to 1903 (N.) Lamar Blvd. During his retirement, N. J. Rabensburg continued to make A. W. Brill holsters, belts and other leather products within his home workshop from the mid-1950s until his death in 1961.

Following their 1935 departure from the A. W. Brill Company, August W. Brill, as the former owner and operator, and his son Arno turned their attention to residential real estate development along the shores of Lake Travis to the northwest of Austin. The lake and dam were under construction during the late 1930s and early 1940s. The surface area of Lake Travis would eventually cover almost 30 square miles and would take years to fill. Two Arno Brill subdivisions were created in 1944 on Hudson Bend, which is located to the northeast of the present-day Lakeway home and resort community on Lake Travis.

Arno W. Brill as reported by one vintage leather group was the maker of the A. W. Brill holsters. Documentation, however, from the 20th Century, says otherwise. My sister, Gayle Herring of Austin, and myself, however, are not only N. J. Rabensburg’s blood-related grandchildren, but we also watched our grandfather make holsters and belts in his home workshop. Many of the holsters, if not all, carried the A. W. Brill maker marks by evidence of the following:

1. The “Brill” maker stamp. This stamp still exists today and was used by N. J. Rabensburg in his home workshop and probably years earlier at the A. W. Brill Company store on E. 6th Street in downtown Austin.

2. Article and photo dated April 14, 1959 by Anita Brewer of the Austin American newspaper on the leather career of N. J. Rabensburg. The “Brill” maker mark is clearly visible on at least one of N. J. Rabensburg’s six holsters shown in the newspaper photo.

3. Two existing leather remnants within the N. J. Rabensburg Collection bear the “A. W. Brill” maker mark.

Arno W. Brill was an important element of the A. W. Brill Company up until 1935. He was the “head road representative” serving a number of towns in central Texas. He apparently had little or no skills, however, in leather making on a commercial retail basis.

August W. Brill, Arno’s father, was head of the A. W. Brill Company and made his departure as well in 1935 and pursued, along with his son Arno, a new career in real estate residential development along the shores of Lake Traves. N. J. Rabensburg was the successor and owner of the A. W. Brill Company from on or before September 26, 1935 until his retirement during the mid-1950s. However, he continued to make holsters and belts and other leather products for his customers in his home workshop located at 1903 (N.) Lamar Blvd. until his death in 1961.


IN SUMMARY

Everyone in the 20th Century, who knew and did business with N. J. Rabensburg, were all on the same page including the Brill family. Thousands of customers, business associates, friends and family and also a newspaper reporter, Anita Brewer with the Austin American, were all aware of N. J. Rabensburg’s prowess in the leather making business including the “Brill” holster, at least, from the time of his 1932 arrival in Austin.

Unfortunately, all of these witnesses are now dead with the exception of my sister and myself, who saw N. J. Rabensburg as the maker of the “Brill” holsters during the 1950s and early 1960s in Austin.

N. J. Rabensburg’s tenure at the A. W. Brill Company corresponds with the “glory” years at the Company. August and Arno Brill were primarily retail and wholesale merchants selling the custom leather products made by others. Since the Brill family left the company in 1935, no Brills were present for most of the “glory” years of the 1930s and 1940s, and, thus, were not making A. W. Brill holsters, belts and other custom leather products.

My sister and I would like a correction from those gun and holster enthusiasts, who have reported the “Brill” story incorrectly. These enthusiasts need to make their errors known to their colleagues as well and to note 20th Century documentation, which states that Arno W. Brill was as a traveling salesman for the A. W. Brill Company and not as a custom leather maker. N. J. Rabensburg was the recognized maker of the “Brill” holster and owner of the A. W. Brill Company by evidence of the April 14, 1959 article and photo by Anita Brewer of the Austin American newspaper.

By: A. Neale Rabensburg

Last edited by arabensburg; 01-23-2022 at 05:49 PM.
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Old 11-17-2021, 08:41 AM
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Thank you for that history article Mr. Rabensburg. It fills in a lot of blanks
for us holster nerds.
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Old 11-17-2021, 11:28 AM
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Mr. Rabensburg's essay absolutely deserves to be in its own post.
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Old 11-17-2021, 02:03 PM
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Default N J Rabensburg & A W Brill Co. Newspaper Article/Photo Austin American Newspaper 1959

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Old 11-17-2021, 02:21 PM
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Default A W Brill Maker Stamp Used by N J Rabensburg

N J Rabensburg chose not to change the maker stamp to his name when he assumed control of the A W Brill Company in 1935. These were still the Depression years, which were about to conclude at the end of the decade. The "Brill" holster already had a large following due to his efforts starting three years earlier. A change might cause confusion with new customers, who were looking for the name "Brill". Rabensburg kept the "Brill" name, which became his pseudonym for the balance of his leather career.

The Austin American newspaper 1959 photo copy shows N J Rabensburg with two belts and six holsters. The holsters are classic "Brill" holsters with the one at the top sporting the "Brill" name when enlarged.

Submitted by A. Neale Rabensburg

Last edited by arabensburg; 12-21-2021 at 01:46 PM.
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Old 11-17-2021, 02:47 PM
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Default N J Rabensburg My Handsome Grandfather Age 25 Years La Grange, Texas

N J Rabensburg was a prodigy. He was a dedicated artist and found his niche in an industry, which was already in a rapid decline. He had owned three saddlery businesses before coming to A W Brill Company in Austin in 1932. He was recognized in Price, Utah as an accomplished leather saddle maker, and he was only in his early twenties.

According to the "Stan Nelson" document, N J Rabensburg worked with Captain Hughes of the Texas Rangers stationed in Austin for the design of the concealed gun weapon, which was adopted by the Texas Rangers and used for the next half century. Rabensburg was seventeen years of age when he met with Hughes.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Newton Joseph Rabensburg Enhanced.jpg (19.7 KB, 59 views)

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Old 11-17-2021, 05:03 PM
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Mr. Rabensburg, thanks for the information. I have a Brill holster that, if I remember correctly and I may not, Red said he thought was probably made by your grandfather. I think it was something about the stitching.

Do you happen to have any of your grandfather's holsters or other work you would like to show us? We always love pictures!
Larry
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Old 11-18-2021, 05:59 AM
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Default "Brill" holster under construction by N J Rabensburg

This basket weave pattern "Brill" holster was either under construction in 1961 at the time of N J Rabensburg's death or was an earlier discard. The sewing threads are still attached. This holster was displayed a few years ago in an exhibit on N J Rabensburg's leather career while living in La Grange from 1915 to 1920.

A completed A W Brill holster made by my grandfather, N J Rabensburg, was given to my father, Aubrey, during or prior to retirement. The holster has, unfortunately, disappeared into someone else's hands. It was safely stored in a gun case at my parents home in Houston, but several people accessed the case to buy guns following my father's death in 1986. The holster may have disappeared at that time.

I do have a basket weave and floral designed belts by N J Rabensburg. Also, a leather binder for documents and a tube to store a collapsible sheet music stand. These were both made during the early and mid-1930s for my father, when he was attending Austin High School and the University of Texas.

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Old 11-18-2021, 06:24 AM
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Default N J Rabensburg's Leather Remnants from his Home Workshop in Austin Texas

Leather remnants from N J Rabensburg's home workshop located at 1903 N Lamar in Austin, Texas. Also, shown is a completed sheet music leather tube or case with lid. This was made during the early 1930s for my father, Aubrey Rabensburg, who played the clarinet and saxophone in the high school bands in Llano and Austin.
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Old 11-18-2021, 03:51 PM
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Default N J Rabensburg Was the "Successor" to A W Brill

The Austin American newspaper dated June 27, 1937 gave notice to the public of N J Rabensburg as the "Successor" to A W Brill. Brill would have been August W Brill, the founder and owner. N J Rabensburg is now in control of the A W Brill Company located on a corner at 300 E 6th Street in downtown Austin.

The Bastrop Advertiser newspaper dated September 26, 1935, however, provides an earlier date for possession by N J Rabensburg by almost two years. The property address at that time was next door to 300 E 6th Street at 302 E 6th Street.

These two newspaper notices are probably a series of repeat notices to the public of N J Rabensburg's control of the A W Brill Company both in Austin and surrounding towns. The 1937 notice in the Austin American newspaper also provides a change of store address.

By 1935, the Brill family apparently has little or no involvement with the Company or with the making or selling of leather products including the "Brill" holster.

Submitted by A Neale Rabensburg

Last edited by arabensburg; 12-21-2021 at 02:12 PM.
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Old 11-18-2021, 04:08 PM
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Sometimes you learn the most amazing things here. But I have a fun, very secondary question - kind of a thread theft but maybe not:

Quote:
I am Neale Rabensburg, the grandson of saddle and holster maker, Newton Joseph Rabensburg, who was associated with the A. W. Brill Company in Austin, Texas for 23 years both as an employee from 1932 to 1937 and as the successor/owner from 1937 until about 1955. During his retirement, N. J. Rabensburg continued to make holsters, belts and other leather products at his home workshop located at 1903 N. Lamar in Austin. He died in 1961 at the age of 71.
Mr. Rabensburg, as of this writing by me, has 13 posts. Seven (7) of them are in this thread. By way of opposing example, Texas Star has 20,000 plus; DWalt, the OP, has 28,000+ posts.

Query - Neale, how did you happen to be here now, when did you join the Forum, is it just coincidence that you're here for this thread or were you advised by a friend already on the S&W Forum?

Just curious. Your timing is so perfect I had to ask.
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Old 11-18-2021, 04:42 PM
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Default N J Rabensburg The Saddler and Holster Maker from 1907 to 1961

N J Rabensburg started his leather career in Fayette County, Texas. His father, Henry B Rabensburg, also operated a Saddlery, but in Floresville, Wilson County, Texas. Henry was, unfortunately, killed in 1890, so his wife, Wilhelmina Ehlinger, and their young son moved back to her roots at Live Oak Hill near Ellinger, Fayette County, Texas.

Wilhelmina remarried to Charles Girndt, who would later become Sheriff of Fayette County. N J Rabensburg may have apprenticed as a leather maker first in Ellinger and then in La Grange, where he worked at the La Grange Saddle and Buggy Shop located on the southwest corner of the town square.

N J Rabensburg expanded his leather carrier through exposure by traveling first to Dallas, then out-of-state to New Mexico and then finally to Price, Utah. There he made showplace saddles. One was for cowboy Joe Anderson, who rode on it during the Stampede in Salt Lake City, Utah between 1913 and 1915. A photo of what is believed to be this very saddle is attached.

N J Rabensburg returned in 1915 to La Grange and his boyhood roots and married Lillian Edna Speckels, the daughter of Mayor Henry W Speckels. Rabensburg goes into partnership with Zweiner on the northside of the town square. A interior photo of this store shows N J Rabensburg on the left and his partner Zwiener opposite. The date is probably opening day of this store in 1915 with spurs, ropes and blankets to the left and saddles, buggy whips and yokes to the right.

N J Rabensburg opened a Saddlery in Llano, Texas in 1920, where he remained until 1932. He served the town of Llano as an Alderman and Mayor. His store was located on Bessemer Street, which becomes Ford Street on the other side of the Llano River. His store was located within close proximity to the Llano River and may have suffered flood damaged more than once.

N J Rabensburg finally moved to Austin and eventually took over operations of the A W Brill Company located in downtown Austin. N J Rabensburg retired in about 1955 but continued to make holsters and belts (and other leather products) in his home workshop located at 1903 N Lamar across from Shoal Creek and Pease Park. A photo copy of the front exterior of his home and garage workshop is attached. This photo was taken about 1942 after N Lamar cut through and took off a portion of N J Rabensburg's front yard and hill.

Last edited by arabensburg; 11-22-2021 at 02:27 PM.
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Old 11-18-2021, 06:22 PM
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Default Got one!

I have a A.W. Brill holster owned by my late friend and retired Ranger: Curtis Becker. I helped him move him from one residence to another and Curtis saw that I had a carved leather holster in which I carried my BBQ gun. He tossed me a saddle tan basketweave holster and said" Its yours, I dont need it any more"! Turned out to be a A.W. Brill holster.!
My S & W Registered Magnum was a perfect fit.... Ill not get rid of either until I achieve room temperature.
Ill try to post pics as so as I figure out how to do it with my iphone.
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Old 11-18-2021, 07:07 PM
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ARabensburg,
Now that's what I'm talking about.........love, love, love the pictures!! Having the floral carved front faces of the holsters is very cool. The partial finished holster is neat too. BTW, I'll take the awesome display case anytime it is available! Is the house still in Austin or has it been razed to make room for something else? Thanks for sharing your pictures.
Larry
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Old 11-18-2021, 08:46 PM
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Default The Smith and Wesson Forum and Me (A Neale Rabensburg)

I started to make my introductions to the Smith and Wesson Forum in May 2018 and more specifically to Red Nichols.

Rox Ann Johnson, an archivist at the Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives in La Grange, Texas found discussions about my grandfather on the Smith and Wesson Forum in early 2018.

I am an amateur historian and a Board member of the Fayette Public Library and the Heritage Museum and Archives in La Grange. I was working at the time on the development of an exhibit about my grandfather's involvement with the Zwiener and Rabensburg Saddlery in La Grange during the years 1915 to 1920.

I was in the process of assembling all of his tools and devices, which were used in N J Rabensburg's home workshop located at 1903 N Lamar in Austin. Besides tools, there was a writing/spool desk, a Sessions wall clock cc: 1889 from the Parry Buggy Company of Indianapolis, a large block of granite for tooling and stamping leather, an oil painting of an American Indian chief on a large piece of leather and a wooden vice and "stitching horse".

I remembered all of these items as well including their exact placement in his garage workshop. By training, I am an architect with the State of Texas and have a photographic memory so I can see the holsters and belts prominently displayed in two glass cases tagged and ready for sale. On the opposite and southside of the garage was his workshop with a customer's order perhaps being made.

There were times when my sister and I were able to watch our grandfather making a holster or belt with a bright light shining from the floor joists above. He would be wearing a protective apron, a cap with a translucent bill to diffuse some of the harsh light and eye glasses with a magnifying attachment. A radio, which was placed below the only window at the side yard garden was always in the "on" position sounding welcoming music and the news of the day.

We, as children, were allowed to observe but not speak. During our visits to Austin, I was in his workshop on a regular basis. It was cut into the side of the hill so natural rock, shell and stone walls were visible behind fabric drapery on three sides. The cave-like setting gave the shop a more comfortable, even temperature. The upstairs house did offer early air conditioning but only in the rear bedroom.

I am seventy-five years old at present and my sister is three years my senior. I believe the home workshop was functioning in about 1953 or a few years prior to his retirement from A W Brill. My memory of the house goes back to the late 1940s.

Fortunately, My Dad, Aubrey, saved many of his father's workshop items. My sister and I picked up the gauntlet and split these items among ourselves following our father's death in 1986.

Red Nichols was working on his book when he and I started to communicate along with others on the Smith and Wesson Forum. I provided some new information, but Red had already been studying the subject of the "Brill" holster and N J Rabensburg several years earlier.

In 2018, I was unaware of any changes to the history of my grandfather. There was no controversy more than thirty plus years ago because some customers and family were still alive to keep it straight. But now with everybody gone, except for my sister and me, the story of my grandfather and the "Brill" holster and the A W Brill Company has, unfortunately, become twisted and rewritten in a way that takes credit away from N J Rabensburg and gives it to another man of distinction, but who has no notable leather skills and was absent from the A W Brill Company by 1935.

What source created these falsehoods, when the true 20th Century story is available online. Facts are facts. Thank God for the Smith and Wesson Forum and Red Nichols, who researched all of this material years earlier and tried to get the story straight again. Red is an expert in holster design and studied more closely the "before and after" periods at the A W Brill Company or, more specifically, before N J Rabensburg and after N J Rabensburg.

My job now is to get the story correct. I am not casting any aspersions on the Brill family. The Brill and Rabensburg families were not only close business associates but close friends as well. Arno W Brill was an honorary pallbearer at my grandfather's funeral in Austin. Arno's wife, Kathleen Brill, was a very good friend of my grandmother Lillian. Lillian gave Kathleen Brill my grandfather's writing/spool desk following his death in 1961. Kathleen gave it back to me in 1968/69, when I was at the University of Texas. My parents and I met Kathleen Brill and her daughter Idanell (Nellie) Connally years later at a country club in Houston. The joys from that reunion says there was no controversary between families during the 20th Century. The Brills and Connallys would never have condoned this reversal of historical facts.

My Dad had a few dates with Idanell Brill when he was a student at the University of Texas at Austin. Idanell's father Arno had a working relationship with N J Rabensburg perhaps as early as 1923. Arno's father August may go back even farther to 1907 when N J Rabensburg was 17 years of age and working with Captain Hughes of the Texas Rangers.

Please spread this correct information with your colleagues. I am working with other forums and websites doing the same. News outlets in Texas may have interest as well.

Last edited by arabensburg; 12-20-2021 at 05:43 PM.
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Old 11-18-2021, 11:14 PM
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Obviously, much of what I absorbed as history and fact over the years has been incorrect. I am very pleased to see this corrected by the contents of this forum post.

Rumors and conjecture seem to have a way of becoming legend over the years. I appreciate the contributions of Mr. Rabensburg in correcting the historical record.

Best regards.
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Old 11-19-2021, 07:06 PM
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Default N J Rabensburg's Home in Austin Survives But at Another Location

Yes, N J Rabensburg's home in Austin located at 1903 N Lamar was cut up and moved in a one story format to a neighborhood, which is immediately south of Town Lake (Lady Bird Johnson). I actually tried to find it about 20 years ago but with no luck.

My grandmother Lillian moved to a smaller but similar house on West 29th between N Lamar and Jefferson. Darrell Royal was her neighbor about one or two blocks to the north and could be seen walking on occasions.

The hill, which had been their home lot at 1903 N Lamar has since been pulverized and replaced at street level with office buildings. The hill was nice but steep for a car to climb especially with the horsepower during the 1950s.

Fortunately, my parents drove Cadillacs, but the ascent was still a roaring, full throttle exercise in order to make the driveway landing in front of the garage door. Everything was way up there, and we were gasping for air when we finally arrived.

German heritage people like to be on the top of the hill. Its a defensive thing. The view of Pease Park and the edges of Shoal Creek with its forest of trees and a rising hill beyond, offered a pleasing setting. N Lamar below did add street noise, however, some of that got deflected toward the park.

Nights were great there with low level lighting shining across the hills of Austin using "Moon" lights, which were arranged in the form of a Texas star. These giant tall steel towers of lights were brought to Austin from one of the World's Fairs decades earlier when electricity was a new form of energy.

Submitted by A Neale Rabensburg

Last edited by arabensburg; 11-22-2021 at 02:31 PM.
  #29  
Old 11-20-2021, 06:30 PM
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Default Gun Templates Used by N J Rabensburg to Make "Brill" Holsters

These gun templates were used by N J Rabensburg in his home workshop located at 1903 N Lamar in Austin and were probably used years earlier at the A W Brill Company located in downtown Austin on E 6th Street.

One of the templates still bears the faded inked handwriting of N J Rabensburg and is labeled "For small automatic".
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Old 11-20-2021, 06:42 PM
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Default Detail of Wooden Stitching Horse Used by N J Rabensburg to Make "Brill" Holsters

The wooden stitching horse used by N J Rabensburg in his home workshop in Austin. Its age, however, might suggest it was used many years earlier in Llano and La Grange as well. The seat is sheathed in leather. The two arms of the vice at the top are draped with an unfinished basket weave "Brill" holster.

The foot petal at the bottom controls the tension and lock for the vice.
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File Type: jpg N. J. Rabensburg Stitching Horse.jpg (41.1 KB, 81 views)

Last edited by arabensburg; 12-12-2021 at 09:01 PM.
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Old 11-20-2021, 06:56 PM
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Default Photo Portrait of N J Rabensburg Cc: Late 1940s/Early 1950s

This portrait of N J Rabensburg was taken during the end of his active career at the A W Brill Company located on E 6th Street in downtown Austin. It was probably taken during the late 1940s or the early 1950s.

This is how I remembered him as a boy of five years. He was always neat and dressed more formally and always within a starched white shirt. There was no tummy on this gentleman. He was always trim and very fit and commanding.
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File Type: jpg Newton J. Rabensburg at Retirement2.jpg (47.7 KB, 68 views)

Last edited by arabensburg; 11-20-2021 at 06:58 PM.
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Old 11-20-2021, 07:31 PM
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Default N J Rabensburg's Clock and Buggy

The Parry Buggy Clock had a prominent location in his home workshop in Austin, and it was wound every few days without delay.

I collect vintage pendulum clocks because of that particular wall clock in his workshop. I was amazed at the quality of the picture of the Parry surrey, which was painted in gold on the back of the glass in the pendulum box.

This clock according to Parry descendants was made prior to 1890, therefore, it was around when my grandfather N J Rabensburg was born in Floresville, Wilson County, Texas.

I am looking up now at that same clock as I write this post.

One of my grandfather's buggies, which was sold in La Grange, Texas prior to the Great War for the United States, has since been restored and displayed in a south Texas museum. It bears the name on a plate attached to the rear of the seat support, which reads "Zwiener and Rabensburg La Grange Texas".

Last edited by arabensburg; 11-20-2021 at 07:32 PM.
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Old 11-20-2021, 09:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arabensburg View Post
The wooden stitching horse used by N J Rabensburg in his home workshop in Austin. Its age, however, might suggest it was used many years earlier in Llano and La Grange as well. The seat is sheathed in leather. The two arms of the vice at the top are partially covered with an unfinished basket weave "Brill" holster.

The foot petal at the bottom controls the tension and lock for the vice.
Making leather holsters and accessories was a part-time sideline business throughout my law enforcement career, evolving into a full-time business when I retired in 1995. Total of 43 years in the business (1972-2015), of which I hand-stitched everything for over 30 years. I used a bench-mount stitching pony, couple of stitching awls, harness needles, and hand-waxed thread for many years. Leather gloves (finger tips removed to aid dexterity) help protect the skin. Good lighting and a magnifier help. Layout, marking the stitch pattern, punching every hole, and working two harness needles in opposite directions is tedious and tiresome work. Each piece takes a lot of time and effort.

For those who have never performed such work, it is incredibly hard on the hands, wrists, forearms, and shoulders. I credit those efforts as the most probable cause for my (several) carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel surgeries and the continuing pain and inflammation issues.

In later years, when full-time production became necessary to meet demand, I invested in a commercial-grade power stitching machine, as used by saddle makers. A 45-minute hand-stitching project could easily be done in 3 or 4 minutes.

The true masters of the craft in earlier years worked very hard with minimal tools, and their efforts should be appreciated for the efforts they represent.
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Old 11-21-2021, 01:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoboGunLeather View Post
...The true masters of the craft in earlier years worked very hard with minimal tools, and their efforts should be appreciated for the efforts they represent.
Well said, Lobo.
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Old 11-21-2021, 02:55 PM
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Default N J Rabensburg's Oak Writing Desk with Spool/Thread Drawers

This oak writing desk was located at 1903 N Lamar in the home workshop for N J Rabensburg. He wrote his notes and invoices on the leather inlay top. It set immediately in front of the glass covered display cases for his holsters, belts and accessories.

Walking into the garage workshop, to the left was the desk and display cases and to the right at the south wall was the workshop counters and tools. The car was in the middle. When he was engaged, the car moved out to the landing.

This desk is very old and probably was made in the late 19th Century. After the death of my grandfather in 1961, my grandmother Lillian gave the desk to Mrs. Arno (Kathleen) Brill.

In 1968 or 1969, Mrs. Brill thought that I should have the desk since its was a part of my grandfather's legacy. She brought it over to my grandmother's house on West 29th Street in Austin. She and I spoke briefly at that time, and that was my second encounter with the Brill family. The first was probably in 1961 during my grandfather's funeral. Arno Brill was an honorary pallbearer.

The desk was exhibited a few years ago in La Grange, Texas at the Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives. A copy of an original invoice dated March 1916 from Zwiener and Rabensburg, Dealers in Saddles, Harness & Vehicles, is displayed on top.

Last edited by arabensburg; 11-21-2021 at 02:57 PM.
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Old 11-21-2021, 03:20 PM
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Default Granite Block for Stamping and Tooling Leather N J Rabensburg Home Workshop in Austin

This granite block and stand were up against the south wall of the home workshop for N J Rabensburg located at 1903 N Lamar in Austin. The block was used for stamping and tooling of leather items.

This piece of granite used to be clean and shiny; however, it set outside in my Houston backyard for more than ten years. This block and its original wooden stand were displayed a few years ago in La Grange, Texas for the Zwiener and Rabensburg Exhibit held at the Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives. The stand, which originally had been natural wood, was later painted a soft pink color by my father Aubrey Rabensburg for reasons unknown.

The weight of the block requires the lifting power of three men and a trolley to move it about. It was a job hauling it into the Museum and to the second floor. The elevator came in handy for the upstairs exhibit display.

Last edited by arabensburg; 11-21-2021 at 03:22 PM.
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Old 11-21-2021, 05:42 PM
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Mr Rabensburg, any close up pictures of your grandfather's tools would be appreciated. We all have favorite awls, knives etc. Thank you so much for participating in this discussion.
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Old 11-21-2021, 07:14 PM
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Default N J Rabensburg Tools in Detail

The arrangement of the tools and their locations within existing containers and a wall mounted tool device remain a guess. I tried my best for the Zwiener and Rabensburg Exhibit held in La Grange several years ago.

The tools also suffered abuse in storage since 1997 with more exposure to heat and humidity. I attempted some cleaning but stopped after awhile. There were too many, and the improvements, which were made to some, were not that great.
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Old 11-21-2021, 07:50 PM
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Default Enlargement of 1959 Photo of N J Rabensburg with Tools and Six "Brill" Holsters

The enlargement of the Austin American newspaper photo dated April 14, 1959 shows my grandfather in a pose with tools to the left, right, below and in both hands.

Noteworthy in this photo are six A W Brill holsters tagged and ready for sale. The topmost holster with a greater enlargement reveals the "Brill" mark.

Please note that N J Rabensburg is posed in the 1959 photo not only with some of his tools, holsters and belts but also with the exposed top of his granite block, which was shown in a recent post and photo.

Last edited by arabensburg; 11-21-2021 at 08:15 PM.
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Old 11-21-2021, 10:16 PM
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Default N J Rabensburg's My Three Sons

I never saw my grandfather N J Rabensburg as the family man. I am sure he was proud of his three sons, but my grandmother Lillian took the lead in that department.

We as grandchildren recognized very early his temperament and walked around on tippy toes during visits to Austin. The home had a pleasant environment when we were outside or below in the garage.

My grandfather did not discourage visits to the workshop as long as we the children remained quiet, did not disturb any work in progress, place fingerprints on the glass display cases or worse disturb a tool.

I think my grandfather did love me, and it became evident to me when he was about to die. He was lying in a hospital type bed with daily nursing care, but in his home at 1903 N Lamar. My parents had received a call to come to Austin as soon as possible. I was pulled out of school that same day, and we drove from Houston arriving in the late afternoon.

He was in the rear bedroom, which was light and bright with its walls of windows, and covered in white. Unfortunately, he was speechless and partially paralyzed. I walked over to him and said something brief like "Pepa, I hope you get better".

I did touch his hand, and there was acknowledgement from his eyes, and I want to think a slight movement in his arm. I knew at that moment he was lucid, recognized me and cared. I was fourteen.

Last edited by arabensburg; 11-21-2021 at 10:23 PM.
  #41  
Old 11-23-2021, 03:25 PM
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Default N J Rabensburg Early Family Portraits 1915-1917 La Grange Texas

The single portrait of N J Rabensburg wearing formal attire was taken on the day of his wedding July 23, 1915 in La Grange, Texas. He was married to Lillian Edna Speckels in St. Pauls Lutheran Church located about a block southeast of the town square on Jefferson Street. Lillian's father was one of the founders of that church in 1907.

The portrait of Lillian Edna Rabensburg nee Speckels with her first child, Aubrey Henry Rabensburg, was made either late 1916 or early 1917 in La Grange. A second portrait taken the same day includes N J Rabensburg with mother and child.

The image of Aubrey Henry Rabensburg in a baby's gown was photographed in La Grange during the latter part of 1916.

Last edited by arabensburg; 11-23-2021 at 04:09 PM.
  #42  
Old 12-01-2021, 03:15 PM
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If there was such a thing , I would nominate this for Thread Of The Year. This is Outstanding !!

Hope y'all forgive my lack of skill when it comes to picture taking.Fortunately I shoot a handgun far better than I do a camera. Here are my two Brill's .
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  #43  
Old 12-01-2021, 04:52 PM
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I am not the owner of any collectable leather goods but I am interested in history related in any way to firearms. I think that this is an amazing post.
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Old 12-06-2021, 02:00 AM
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Default N J Rabensburg & His Early Texas Ranger Holsters by Stan Nelson of Minnesota

The following account came to me several years ago via Red Nichols of Queensland, Australia and again more recently with more detail by email.

The following is the last part of an article titled SOME THOUGHTS ON GUN LEATHER by the author Stan Nelson. It was published in the MINNESOTA WEAPONS COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION OFFICIAL PUBLICATION, Volume No. 22 Issue No. 1, January 2008, pages 10-14. It reads as follows:

“On a trip to Texas in the early 1950’s, my brother Bill and I found verification of Captain Sterling’s comments on the "town" or “Sunday” holster. We were visiting that old Texas historian and publisher, J. Marvin Hunter, (founder of FRONTIER TIMES magazine, author of ALBUM OF GUNFIGIITERS; PEREGRINATIONS OF A PIONEER PRINTER; etc.),” (who is) “a man steeped in Texas Ranger history.

Mr. Hunter personally knew many of the old Frontier Battalion Rangers”. (His) “own brother-in-law was Texas Ranger, Frank McMahan, whose sister was married to George Scarborough, who had killed John Selman, who had killed John Wesley Hardin, etc., etc. In 1895, Mr. Hunter had met John Wesley Hardin himself when Hardin came into the Mason, Texas newspaper office to see about getting a small book published. A very knowledgeable man, Mr. J. Marvin Hunter.

From him, we obtained the address of a retired saddle maker, who had made holsters for such Ranger luminaries as Captains John R. Hughes, Frank Hamer, and W. W. Sterling. Needless to say, we looked this veteran up when we hit Austin. His name was” (N J) “Rabensburg, a lean, weathered looking man, soft spoken and reflective in conversation. Although retired, he had a small workshop in his garage and was doing some custom leather work and repair.

Our visit became rewarding in more ways than one for he agreed to make us some holsters. Of major interest to us was his acquaintance with Captain John R. Hughes. Hughes had spent much of his long career down on the Mexican border, but during 1906-07 was stationed at Ranger Headquarters in Austin. One day, he stopped at the saddle shop where Mr. Rabensburg was employed and asked to have a particular style of holster made.

Texas was pretty civilized by this time and some politicians did not approve of the Rangers walking city streets bristling with six-guns and cartridge belts. Hughes wanted a holster that his men could wear on a trouser belt, under a coat at times, and yet allow for a quick draw when necessary. Combining the requirements and practical ideas of an experienced gun handler with the skill of a fine leather craftsman resulted in the “Sunday” holster seen in the photographs accompanying this article. These holsters have a short, stiff shank and considerable forward pitch.

Being intended for carrying on a plain high ride belt they are essentially holsters for short, barreled revolvers and, in truth, one seldom sees photos of Rangers packing 7 1/2” barrel Colts. Mr. Rabensburg said that he had made similar holsters prior to this with a longer shank to fit over a wide cartridge belt, but these did not have quite the same degree of forward pitch.

In a 1906 photo Texas Rangers Hamer and Hudson are wearing this type of holster, while in another photo Ranger “Kiowa’ Jones shows off his “Sunday” scabbard.

The closeup photographs are of holsters made for my brother and me by Mr. Rabensburg from the exact pattern of this “Sunday” holster. These are sturdy, practical, and beautifully made; form following function exemplified. To the discerning eye, comparison of these holsters with the much later Threepersons/Myres and the Keith/Lawrence styles show almost identical profile and forward pitch.

Mr. Rabensburg made holsters to order and put no mark of his own on them. Since these were custom made some are found, as are ours, stamped with the owner’s initials. Collectors of gun leather emphasize the importance of maker’s logos stamped on their work and it is nice to be able to show a piece of leather marked Meana, Miles City, Garcia, etc. But as with the unmarked Rabensburg holsters, I have seen over the years some well-conceived, nicely made, old belt, hip-pocket, and shoulder holsters Mark ed with no makers stamp and would certainly not discount them for that reason alone. As necessary adjuncts to the weapons they carried and to the purposes to which they were obviously designed, they have their own story to tell.”

Last edited by arabensburg; 12-06-2021 at 02:04 AM.
  #45  
Old 12-06-2021, 06:33 PM
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Any thoughts on whether or not this one might be the work of NJ Rabensburg from the early 20th Century? The belt loop on this one is narrow as was the style for trouser belts of that era. I can furnish more detailed photos if necessary.

Mark

You can click on this photo for a larger version.
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  #46  
Old 12-06-2021, 09:59 PM
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We really need to see the back of the holster. The stitching on the back will give some answers. And by the way that’s a very handsome holster!
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Last edited by Kansasgunner; 12-06-2021 at 10:05 PM. Reason: Addition
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Old 12-07-2021, 02:32 PM
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Default Six Brand New A W Brill Holsters Tagged and Ready for Sale

My attached photo shows six classic A. W. Brill gun holsters, which were made by N J Rabensburg in his home workshop located at 1903 N. Lamar in Austin, Texas. These holsters are all brand new and are tagged and ready for sale. This photo was taken by a staff member of the Austin American newspaper for an article on N. J. Rabensburg titled (Never Idle) “Old Craft, New Item: Holsters” by Anita Brewer. The publication date was April 14, 1959.

This same photo, when enlarged, provides detail to these holsters and shows two sporting floral designs and the remaining four, the traditional basket weave pattern. The holster placed to the far left has a price tag visible of $6.00 with the word “action” written immediately above.

Six dollars in the year 1959 has a value today of over $57.00. Rabensburg is probably selling these holsters below market because he carries little overhead in his home workshop. His days spent downtown on E. 6th Street at the A. W. Brill Company would have added a premium to his retail price, which may have approached the $70.00 range in today's dollars (or about $7.36 back in 1959) in order to offset shop operational expenses.

The topmost holster shown in the enlarged photo clearly sports the “Brill” name. No one can deny that N. J. Rabensburg was the maker of the A. W. Brill holsters. In fact, the article and perhaps the original photo still remain with the archival files of the Austin American-Statesman newspaper in Austin. A copy of this same photo, however, remains within the files of the Rabensburg family.

The vintage holster shown by Mark wheelgun610 is similar to an N. J. Rabensburg holster but appears to differ by weight. The stitching pattern front and back is important to see. The thicker cuffs of the 1959 holsters curve and are not tightly wrapped as shown in the photo of the vintage holster submitted by wheelgun610. Since I am no expert, I will leave the descriptive language to others concerning the comparison of these holsters.

Please look at the photos of floral designed patterns taken from the N. J. Rabensburg leather collection. These leather scraps may have actually been templates. Rabensburg could have used one or more methods to transfer the image. Tap-offs using moistened leather may have been one choice and another, art paper.

Submitted by: A. Neale Rabensburg

Last edited by arabensburg; 12-08-2021 at 11:56 PM.
  #48  
Old 12-07-2021, 06:07 PM
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Wheelgun, Red Nichols identified this one as an early Brill, long after I’d sold it.
It certainly looks like yours.
Regards,
turnerriver
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  #49  
Old 12-08-2021, 02:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turnerriver View Post
Wheelgun, Red Nichols identified this one as an early Brill, long after I’d sold it.
It certainly looks like yours.
John, if my holster in the photo above looks familiar to you, it's because I purchased it from you via ebay somewhere around 2002 - 2004.

Aside from slight differences in the floral carving, the first thing I notice is that the cuffs are in different locations. On mine, the cuff being closer to the 'mouth' means the belt loop is very narrow. It would require a belt of no more than one inch in width. Based on some of the other info provided by Mr Rabensburg in this thread, that leads me to think this one is likely to be from his grandfather's early production.

I'll get some more detailed photos that hopefully will give more clues.

Thanks,
Mark
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Old 12-08-2021, 09:01 AM
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Good morning John,
A question for you, Mr. Rabensburg and Red if he has been following this thread. From the information I’ve read the first Brill holsters prior to 1932 were likely made by Charles Kluge and all Brill holsters from 1932 on were made by N.J. Rabensburg? Is this a fairly accurate description of the maker timeline for these holsters?
Fascinating the history surrounding these holsters and thank you Mr. Rabensburg for all the information about your grandfather!
Best regards to all,
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