Here's a vintage holster - part of a complete rig. The Mauser S/42 Luger is dated 1936 over the chamber, and the holster is also dated 1936. This set was brought back to the U.S. as a WWII war trophy, and has been kept together evidently since 1936...

Interestingly, a 1935-dated Carl Heinichen (Dresden, Germany) holster recently sold at auction for $1,600! Another 1937-dated Heinichen example sold on eBay recently for $260.






Here's an archival photo of German soldiers practicing with their P.08 Lugers during WWII. They apparently mounted their holsters on the left side of their belts. You can barely see the top of one of these holsters on the left side of the closest man in the picture.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

The progenitor of all Threepersons-style holsters: Tom Threepersons' personal, well, Threepersons holster. It's believed to have been made for his shift from Army to blacksmith to El Paso P.D. during 1919; the year that its maker, saddler A.B. Egland, opened up in Douglas AZ. Douglas is the city in which Tom enlisted in the Army in 1916. His style was so-named by Sam Myres in his 1931 'Officers Equipment' catalog that marked Sam's entry into the holster business to save his company from the ravages of the Model T introduced 1908. According to his biographer Sandra Myres, it worked. Tom made at least part of his living selling his story through writers Cunningham and Arnold, and from royalties from Myres, and from promoting Booger Reds rodeo clothing when Booger himself died in 1924 (Booger was a rodeo exhibition rider who was so-named after he blew up a tree stump, and his face, with black powder). Tom was able to retired on a largish sum paid to him for the 1964 appearance of a TV movie named for him. A 1982 newspaper article quoted a friend of Tom's as saying "I've never known him to work".

restored (8).jpg His holster, shamelessly illustrated with a capgun in it (not least because it's a Nichols capgun)(also coincidentally, Tom's second wife Lorene was a Nichols by her first marriage).

1925 booger reds (1).jpg Tom appearing for Booger Reds rodeo clothing, holding his 1909 Colt 45LC and with his Winchester of 1914

1909 ebling (6).jpg The Colt; he also had a 1905 Colt in 44 WCF that looks quite like the 1909. This one has had its frontstrap filed into a coarse checkering that runs onto the grips, leaving behind what looks like 'notches' on the edges of the ivory grip (the other side is pearl) and thereby leading to the myth that Tom had notched his pistol for 20 kills.

1914 anderson (4).JPG His Winchester made 1914 and delivered to El Paso in 1915, along with his S&W (finally got there) Triple Lock also of 1915.

I found his holster hiding in plain sight here on the Forum since 2008, when tiny images of it were posted at the death of its owner with it to be returned to its original (well, after Tom) owner's widow; which it was. I bought it from her when she wouldn't let me photograph it even by turnerriver in FL unless I bought it. That set in motion many things including turnerriver's and my book Holstory that includes a full chapter about Tom. It was when I bought it that it became worthwhile to ensure that it was 'our' Tom's holster of Texas; not the original Indian (and British citizen) rodeo winner of 1912 from whom our Tom took his name, who lived and died in Alberta Canada.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Great info Red! Do you still offer your incredible build of the Threeperson's holster as shown in the post above?

Very nice of you to enquire :-). I sold out of the 100 unit limited edition of Threepersons replicas some years ago; instead of continuing I improved his holster design and it is one of several designs (size for the SAA, size for the 1911, size for the DA Smiths) that I call Fighting Shells and that included, for the revolvers, a single cylinder recess next to the belt loop panel to slim down the revolver. Retention is improved over Tom's by adding, to the double welts, moulding around the ejector rod lever.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

I got a little confused on my guns and holsters but, it's all good now! Here is my 1959 Model 10 in a vintage Bianchi.

A '59 3-inch?

Gotta be uncommon.

Neato!

No, it's a two inch but, fits in the holster real well.

Oh.

My mistake. I was just eyeballing the dimensions.

Still all neato.

The barrel stops right where my finger is pointing. Still a good fit and there is no wiggle.

Gorgeous. And don't let the position of the holstered revolver on the dismounted cavalryman fool you: the practice was to shift it 'round front to suit the photographer. The two standing men are wearing their holsters in 'twist' or 'cavalry' draw as intended. We see LOTS of old west pics with the holsters placed in front and giving the impression that folks wore them that way; but they were simply showing off all their weaponry. An extreme example is this Texas Ranger whose left hand Brill has been moved 'round to his right side, then the revolver turned around backwards and even sideways to show it off:

ranger jones brill holster.jpg

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Here's a recent find. An S.D. Myres for 6" K- frames...

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

A good ol' Lawrence holster with a good even older 1925 vintage Colt Army Special .41 Long Colt.







You know you're in trouble when you get mixed up on which Colt received the Tyler T-Grip. I could have sworn I stuck it on the '53 vintage NYPD Colt Official Police, but the Army Special's sporting it in the photographs. Was news to me!

Just send me on out to the Alzheimer's wing at the local nursing home.

I recently found a box of old holsters at a local gun shop for $5 ea plus tax. Most were in pretty poor condition but I found 4 that were interesting even though I do not a gun for any of them.

EUBANKS LEATHER BOISE, IDAHO 89 32 A for a Colt model M 32 / 380 Auto.
and a BIANCHI #2 for 9 MM HI PWR (BROWNING)




BUCHHEIMER PREFECT FIT B692 FREDERICK, MD. for 6" Colt model 357.


The 4th is probably for a Makarov 9x18 pistol and was made in Hungary.

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Gun Safety is no accident.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

gas station near e

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I definitely prefer leather and leather has been use for military holsters up until the 1980s. John Bianchi spent a lot of thought and time to come up with the UM84 holster system for the U S Military. It can be changed from right to left side carry and is secure.

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Gun Safety is no accident.

Another from the $5 box. This one is a DeSantis #056 B6. It looks like it may fit a Glock but it would work for my S&W 3913 if I cut down the safety strap and put in a new snap.



And the front side. I have confirmed that it is for a Glock 19 size pistol.

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Gun Safety is no accident.

Jim if you want more information on the UM84 go to the search
-function & type in: An historian's lament:-) by Red Nichols.

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In Omnia Paratus

To be completely fair to holstory, it took more than JB's thought and time to come up with the UM84 that then became the M12 :-). But the stainless belt hanger, which allowed the left/right interchange, was entirely his contrivance. With the many patents issued for the holster we went to the trouble to keep the inventors straight on each one.

The unusual flap closure was Marty Miller's idea, one that he came up with after he and I had attended an LAPD appearance. It's notion is to be silent and to be self-cleaning. He achieved both, only to be swept out the door when the company was sold in '87.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Got it from Dan Denaheys son, Dan got it from Jeff Cooper, John gave it to Jeff to try out.
Showed it to John when he worked my companies booth at SHOT in 2012, he said he made it, but his memory was going a little fuzzy then.
All in all, a cool holster

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“Cogito, ergo sum armatus

Alessi S/H for a "03 colt pocket auto, don't think many of these were made

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“Cogito, ergo sum armatus

I found another Smith & Wesson Holster. This is a model 21 size 34 holding my nickel pre model 10 4"

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Gun Safety is no accident.

Bird's Saddlery - Mesa Arizona...

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

I visited my LGS again and asked if the had any other old holsters and was taken out back where I found another box to look through and found a BIANCHI M66 which was Bianchi's first attempt to modernize the 1911A1 holster for the American GI. John Bianchi shows it and tells the story in his book Blue Steel & Gunleather.







I think it was a great design as it could be carried either right or left strong side or cross draw. it was close to the body rather than dangling and flopping around when you ran and it could be used on about any belt. The moveable top flap kept rain off the pistol and provided a little security.

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Gun Safety is no accident.

Here’s one offered to me by My friend kansasgunner at our local show this weekend for my 28 no dash. Thanks again Tim. Oliver Ball he has previously posted.

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SWCA 3255 SWHF 615

This modified N frame B-M was given to my years ago by a forum member from Washington. I forgot his name but believe it was Mike who found it while riding his motorcycle through some small town. After "Holstery" was already out Red Nichols had wished I showed it to him earlier because if I recall correctly the markings made it one of the earliest B-Ms he has encountered. It had been modified to fit a longer 6 1/2" fixed sight gun like a triple lock. Here's a Model 27-2 in it just for the picture.

Almost vintage; maybe in a few years, but this is an Alessi Pancake back when Lou Alessi was still around and making leather goods. It’s paired with a Walther PPK/S that as best I can recall, was from the mid-80’s. It was one of my first handguns and holsters for concealed carry. Sure don’t make ‘em like this anymore, either one!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I know little or nothing on this shoulder holster. It IS stamped "El Passo Saddlery and has a number on the metal cap. Picked it up when I was doing cowboy shooting. Any info appreciated!

IMG-0043 — imgbb.com

IMG-0042 — imgbb.com

IMG-0046 — imgbb.com

IMG-0045 — imgbb.com

I added the thongs and conchos.

Before I got into "Brand Names" of holsters I was perfectly willing to use holsters that worked even though they were not marked with a famous maker's name. Beauty is as beauty does. This shoulder holster is perfect for this S&W 38 Double Action Break top revolver. both are long gone.


This old pocket holster that is unbranded works well with my 3" model 49.

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Gun Safety is no accident.

The spring type belt holster has been made for many years. Most people think of them as cross draw holsters. I recently bought a well used one by C. A, HOFFMAN & SON MFRS. ARLINGTON CAL. model 22 size 4.

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Gun Safety is no accident.

I found this well made holster of a very plain style and looked up the seller's mark. WARSHAL'S SPORTING GOODS CO. 1000 1ST. AVE. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98104. Model 46 It was made for a S&W COMBAT 4". Note how there is a bulge to clear the rear sight. This Business starts in 1922 and the building was sold around 1995 and torn down to build a hotel in 2000. Sometime between the 2 dates Warshal's Sporting Goods went out of business.

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Gun Safety is no accident.

The metalwork at the muzzle is new to me :-). Expecting it's modern, and in what's known as the Hardin style in left hand, that modern company made its products from 1980 into today. Show us its EPS mark and it can be dated better; there was a much earlier (100 years earlier), unrelated company of the same name that w/b an unlikely source of your holster.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Jim, that holster was made by A.E. Nelson of Scio, Oregon. They are still making holsters, largely police equipment. They made holsters for a large number of western sporting goods and gun shops and even made leather goods with the Abercrombie & Fitch logo. I have a 1950’s era catalog and a number of examples of Nelson’s work, if I remember correctly the company was started in the 1940’s and remains family owned and operated.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

Posted these in another thread but they fit this thread so here they are again. S. D. Myres jockstrap design with forward cant, goatskin lined and fully laced. One fits an N frame with 3.5” or 4” barrel and the other fits a K frame (or Colt OM) with 6” barrel.





And then this more mundane pair of S. D. Myres holsters that came with my 4.5” matched & consecutive Reg# Registered Magnum pair.

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Terry Lester

This is vintage, ain't it? I snagged this unused Bauer Brothers dump pouch out of a bin at the pawn shop for $5. I'm going to use it to carry reloads for my S&W 638, and to carry hunting reloads for my Thompson Contender.

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I don't know what gun this rig goes to and need some help. As you can see it is a Lawrence 27L L6 holster. The L is for laced.

It appears to be set for a semi auto rather than revolver. No N frame with a bull barrel will fit. The barrel will not enter as the sheath narrows. Even teh barrel of a K Frame with a 6" barrel will not fit due to the front target sights.

Any answers?







tipoc

38 M&P with a beautiful carved Heiser.

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Pass it on.
Mark

I don't know how old this Brauer holster is. It's an OWB holster with a flap on the back to slip it under your belt. Easy on, easy off. It's easy to draw, but not easy to re-holster.

I think you can't have a "homage to holsters" thread without recognizing Roy Baker's contribution: The Pancake Holster. The first holster I ever bough for my first four inch Model 19 was a Roy Baker Pancake. When I started as a full time law enforcement agent I was issued one for my 2.5 inch Model 66-1.

Some seem not to like them and find fault; however, I have never found a better concealment holster, particularly for large N frame revolvers than Baker's Pancake. Its been copied, but I have not found an actual improvement.

Simply my opinion.

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Bill

Back in the1980s VIKING holsters were an option in the local gun shops. They were well made holsters from Mexico. I recently received this basket weave holster. The stamping reads HAND MADE BY VIKING MEXICO 58. It fits like a glove on a Colt SA Scout 4 5/8" 22.

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Gun Safety is no accident.

My 1972 model 66 sitting in the Don Hume Duty Holster that came with it.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

I have liked shoulder holsters for concealed carry. Others have complained that they could never wear a Shoulder Holster for more than 5 minutes. I have had quite a few over the years by many different companies. I recently picked up this REDHEAD 1808R spring shoulder holster and like my first (a long gone Bauer Bros. Shoulder Holster) this holster works well with either a 1911 .45 or a 4" S&W K Frame Revolver.

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Gun Safety is no accident.

Here’s a holster and revolver that would fit the bill on horseback out in the back country or in a car in town. A Colorado Saddlery swivel holster with tie down holes, made for a Colt New Service.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

I believe some of the best vintage holsters, still available at reasonable
prices on the auction sites, are the Hunter series 1100. 1100s are plain,
1200s are basket-weave, and 1300s are floral carved. I have picked up
a few lately, shown here, left to right:

3100 size 11 with my 4" Model 19
3100 size 30 with my 4" Model 10
3100 size 50 OE* with my 7.5" Colt Cavalry replica.
3100 size unmarked and not on chart, for Ruger New Model Super
Blackhawk 5.5" barrel.
1100 size 40 OE* a plain one for comparison, shown with 4.75" Single
Action Army replica.

OE* = Open End

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In Omnia Paratus

Love these old threads with legs.



Still in the box.

anthropology jobs washington dc

This 1947 K-22 has been with this holster for the same amount of time.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Beautiful Phil! I too love the simplicity of the Hunter holsters. Got my 4” M63 loaded up and ready for a hike in the woods on this sunny Michigan day.

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Pass it on.
Mark

The Berns-Martin Lighting is the first of the spring retained upside down small gun shoulder holsters. This one holding a pre model 40 S&W 2".

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Gun Safety is no accident.

I’m a little late to the thread, but here’s my contribution. Don’t know much about the holsters, other than the name Bucheimer on the first one. It came with the 1917 Model of 1905 Hand Ejector 4th Change shown. The number on it is 4021. The second is a holster I picked up for my Colt 1908 Vest Pocket. Bought it off a seller from Kansas, no markings of any kind on it. Any info on these would be appreciated.

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With the U S Military holsters that are in this thread here is one of the later old time military leather holsters. U S Marked holster for a M&P 4" revolver made by BOYT and stamped M R T JAN 1962





Under the flap is a circle with an eagle holding 3 arrows with 3 stars at the top. Below the numbers 11377

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Gun Safety is no accident.