Period Holster for Safety Hammerless?

PeteC · #1 02-19-2021, 01:27 PM

Can anyone identify this holster, probably dating to around 1940 or later? Specifically, would this have been sold for a late version of a Safety Hammerless revolver, or is it a generic holster from the period? Thanks!

turnerriver · #2 02-19-2021, 01:45 PM

The embossed decoration and general construction mark it as a sporting goods or hardware store holster. They were made by a number of concerns including Red Head. It may have numbers or letters on the back or no markings at all. It would probably fit a number of small frame revolvers.
Here’s a page from a 1930’s catalog showing the types of holsters sold by sporting goods concerns.
Regards,
turnerriver

BMur · #3 02-20-2021, 12:37 AM

It's almost impossible to date leather holsters unless they have a leather maker mark, patent reference, or distributor stamp on them. What you will find with detailed research is that "often" Distributors are actually selling holsters in this case that were very old stock...Even listing them as "New" when they are over 30 years old.... One of the primary duties of the Major Distributor was to unload "Surplus" stock....

So, seeing an older style holster in a Distributor catalog that dates to say the 1920's could easily be selling products that were manufactured in the 1890's!

Your flap holster was an Older design that was common in the 1880's but sold well into the 1940's. Who knows when the cow actually died...

Murph

thadheth · #4 02-20-2021, 10:43 AM

Here's one from the 1902 Sears Roebuck Catalog with embossing very similar to yours.

PeteC · #5 02-20-2021, 01:01 PM

Yes, that is similar! And shipping is 5 cents! At those prices I'll take another one... lol

nutsforsmiths · #6 02-20-2021, 01:02 PM

When I bought this 1st issue Safety Hammerless it came with this holster. Pistol was made in 1887 and they have been together for a long time. It's similiar to your holster in design.

BMur · #7 02-20-2021, 07:34 PM

They had such trick stuff back in the day.

Murph

PeteC · #8 02-20-2021, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMur

They had such trick stuff back in the day.

Murph

I know, right? No wonder there was demand for these guns from the 1890's up to WWII!

You just can't help asking yourself where those Browning boys got their idea for a grip safety from!

JSR III · #9 02-20-2021, 10:33 PM

The ad says .30 for the holster. I'd gladly double your money to .60 if you are thinking of selling. I'll even double the postage to .10

glowe · #10 02-21-2021, 10:13 AM

Just an added comment to be sure the OP understands that that holster is most likely much older than 1940. Brass flap closures, combined with the embossing and style was popular from 1870 to 1910. I think many early small holsters had a flat brass button style closure, while the brass ball military type closure were found in small holsters later in the 1800s.

From what I have observed, many early flap holsters for pocket revolvers were made of quite thin leather, while those made by around the 1890s and later seem to mostly be made of heavier leather like the OPs. So those catalog pages would also be my guess as to the age of your revolver, from the late 1890s and early 1900s.

I bought one Model 1 1/2 with what was stated as an original holster. Not sure, but the fit was good enough and that holster would have fit any Model 1 1/2. I do know that these holsters were made to fit several styles of revolvers and if one looks at this one, it would fit a revolver with a trigger guard as well, so while it might be original to this gun, it does not mean it was only made for a Model 1 1/2. To determine the type of revolver that was kept in an old holster, one must do some detective work. Checking the impressions on the leather may show what model revolver it was used for. If you look at the ejector rod on the Model 1 1/2, you can see the impression on the holster, meaning the revolver was in there a very long time.

I am adding some hints in red that this particular holster probably held a Model 1 1/2 for a very long time.

Books · #11 02-21-2021, 11:45 AM

What they all said. Holsters were made to fit a (generic) frame size/shape. You sell more holsters with less expense that way.

Books

BMur · #12 02-21-2021, 01:53 PM

Books,
You've touched on one of my collecting passions...The pocket holster. I think they are very historic and often found very cheap at shows.

Early variations were actually patented...1886 in photo 1 of the Lovell style in 12 different models.

Notice the San Francisco Ellery Brothers stamped pocket holster? They supplied the San Francisco Police Department prior to the 1906 Earthquake and fire that "Burned them down". They were one of the few that rebuilt after the fire but their business was never the same and product line was totally different. So this holster is no less than 115 years old and likely before 1900.

I personally think that every collector should have at least a small collection of period holsters. Often at shows dealers will have the $5 box of holsters? That's a box you should look through and pick up a 100 + year old holster for your collection. They go extremely well with your antique Smith & Wesson and are often at giveaway prices.

Murph

Books · #13 02-21-2021, 03:48 PM

I started collection small framed S&Ws in 2008. And then added accent pieces, like holsters, to enhance the display.

And now....

Books

PeteC · #14 02-22-2021, 01:47 PM

Thanks! That's awesome information, and not easy to come by, compared to the guns themselves.