This holster was purchased 10-15 years ago in a rural maine LGS. It was floating around in the used leather bin, and it cost about $20, I think.

The holster doesn't get used much, but when its employed it's usually to carry the 6.5-inch Model of 1950 .44 Military shown in the photo while casually out in the woods locally (running the dog, scouting for partridge, moose shed hunting, berry picking, etc.).

When was it made? Is it worth any degree of restoration (some of the stitching is coming loose where the the suspension straps attach). The leather seems sound; what is the best treatment for it? Is it an original design, or a clone of other leather from the same era?

Thanks for any info.

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Here’s a cut from Hardy’s number 30 catalog, probably from the 1940’s.
Your holster is the Anti-Bandit model. Your example is leather lined, an option not frequently encountered on that model. It’s made for a desirable gun and has the lined feature so it is worth maintaining if you can find someone skilled enough to repair it in a period authentic manner-not easy to find someone to do that in my experience.
Hardy copied and even sold some Heiser holsters ( you can see Heiser snaps on some of the illustrations ) but usually made his own and had his own designs. This holster is very similar to Heiser’s Half-Breed Model 125 holster with the main exception of Hardy’s scallop along the bottom edge.
That maker’s mark was used both before and after Capt. Hardy moved from Denver to Beverly Hills so dating isn’t possible but 1940’s is a good guess.
Thanks for showing it.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

Thanks, Tuneriver. Great catalog pictures. I especially like the combat stance used by the young worthy in the illustration. He looks quite relaxed, probably because the "instant possession" feature of the holster allowed him to produce his weapon and brace his adversary in plenty of time.

The retaining spring looks to be identical to the Berns-Martin setup.
B-M was patented circa 1935, so not sure who was first with it or who copied it from who.

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John