This Oliver Ball holster for a 3.5" M-27 came with the name "Foots" carved down the side and the story that it was made by Lt. Ball for his "protégé" Ezekiel F. "EZ" Foots.

The vendor is an honest broker who wasn't trying to sell the story, just passing on what had been told him when he bought the holster. I'm a bit skeptical because in 50 years of owning and trading O. Ball holsters, I've never heard that he had an apprentice. Also, Ancestry.com shows no one of that name in Texas during the 20th century.

I think it is more likely that it was made for a Dallas P.D. Captain named Thomas D. Tolleson who was universally known as "Foots." He served from 1955 to 1987, a period during which Oliver Ball was a popular source for holsters for DPD officers.

However, before I write it off as a made up story, I wanted to check to see if anyone else has heard of the mysterious "EZ Foots."

Attached Images

	O. Ball Foots.jpg (141.5 KB, 207 views)
	O. Ball Foots 2.jpg (130.9 KB, 64 views)

Looking at your man's obituaries I agree your sleuthing work has turned up the right man.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Thanks Red. I'm sure enough of it that I have tracked down Capt. Tolleson's son. We're meeting for lunch in a few days and I'm giving him his Dad's holster back. He's pretty happy and so am I.

Cool story. Great holster. Karma will repay you in a good way someday.

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SWCA 3255 SWHF 615

Good on ya! What a nice gift.