Browning Bros. holsters

turnerriver · #1 04-07-2018, 06:46 PM

The 4 Browning brothers operated a retail gun shop & sporting goods store in their home town of Ogden. They sold holsters as well as firearms and I'm always on the lookout for examples. One website states that the sporting goods store went out of business in 1927; I think the .45 auto holster shown below dates after that although the 2 Heisers could fit in that time frame.
They are few and far between, I just added the Colt Government Model holster. The other two holsters are Heisers, I don't know who made the .45 auto holster-the word Diamond is inked inside on the skirt but that doesn't ring any bells with me. The .45 holster has a different logo-Browning Bros. Co. Ogden, Utah. The last photo is Heiser's Browning stamp, also shown on the toe of the Bulls Head holster.
Sorry, no Smith & Wesson fits but I hope you find them interesting.
Regards,
turnerriver

wheelgun610 · #2 04-07-2018, 11:29 PM

Good stuff (as usual) John. As far as I know, the only Browning marked holsters I've ever seen were the ones made by Viking in Mexico.

Mark

mm93 · #3 12-09-2018, 09:54 PM

Digging up this old post because I came into a pistol today, and by chance it's in a Browning Bros. Co. holster! The pistol is a H&R ".22 Special" model, 9 shot .22LR revolver. It was made just 2 years, 1926-28 in the 9 shot version, but a 7 shot made in 1925 only.
The holster is Model 330, and has a "45" and a "C" below that. Guessing it's for a .45 SAA style pistol? It's a flap holster, and in pretty nice shape!
Here's a picture:

I think the holster might be worth more than the H&R pistol!

turnerriver · #4 12-10-2018, 04:21 PM

Any chance of getting a photo of the back with the Browning mark ? Thanks for posting this.
Regards,
turnerriver

Quote:

Originally Posted by mm93

Digging up this old post because I came into a pistol today, and by chance it's in a Browning Bros. Co. holster! The pistol is a H&R ".22 Special" model, 9 shot .22LR revolver. It was made just 2 years, 1926-28 in the 9 shot version, but a 7 shot made in 1925 only.
The holster is Model 330, and has a "45" and a "C" below that. Guessing it's for a .45 SAA style pistol? It's a flap holster, and in pretty nice shape!
Here's a picture:

I think the holster might be worth more than the H&R pistol!

mm93 · #5 12-11-2018, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turnerriver

Any chance of getting a photo of the back with the Browning mark ? Thanks for posting this.
Regards,
turnerriver

The mark on the back is like the first style you show above. "Browning Bros. Co. Ogden, Ut." Then has "330" and "45" with a "C" under the 45.

turnerriver · #6 12-11-2018, 04:25 PM

Here’s a holster by the same maker as yours, made for a Colt pocket auto. I would bet your holster was made for a .45 double action Colt 1917 or New Service revolver, the H&R fits it well. Heiser’s Browning Bros. stamp was proprietary and was held by them at their factory, it would be interesting to know how many different holster makers the Browning brothers stocked.
Regards,
turnerriver