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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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  #1  
Old 07-11-2009, 08:10 PM
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Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story  
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Default Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story

Re: a recent thread asking about pre M 29 holsters,I spent some time this morning digging out some examples. The 2 Berns-Martin rigs have interesting histories-I obtained them from the Elberton, Georgia businessman who bought Berns-Martin from John Martin(Jack Berns was deceased by then) & moved the company from Calhoun City, Ms. to Elberton, Ga. The carved Buscadero rig was probably the last holster rig made by the original owners & it was the 1st rig made in the new location.A 2001 letter to me from the Georgia businessman stated "Among the holsters you acquired (is) a basketweave gun belt & holster custom made for the .44 Magnum 6 1/2" barrel.This holster was my 1st insight to the Berns-Martin Company. I was so excited as to the quality of the rig I contacted the owners, Messrs. Martin & Criswell of Calhoun City, Mississippi. Both of the gentlemen were up in age. I flew down to Calhoun City & agreed to purchase the company based on Mr. Criswell coming to Elberton to show our people how to make the holster. The 2 finest additions I had were the Floral Carved Buscadero .357 Magnum custom for the M 27 revolver; the other 1 was of the same quality, tailored for the 6 1/2" .44 Magnum. Actually I placed the order for these 2 Buscaderos in Calhoun City;the custom work for me had begun & I believe Mr. Criswell finished the work while in Elberton." I have both rigs-the Model 27 rig is stamped Calhoun City,Ms. & the .44 Magnum rig is stamped Elberton, Ga.
The 1st photo shows my 4" 29-2 in a Calhoun City,Ms. Berns-Martin Speed holster-I believe this holster would qualify as a pre-model 29 holster.The basketweave rig is also stamped Calhoun City;the company changed hands in the early 1960's so there's a good chance this qualifies as a pre-29 holster rig as well.The 2 Lawrence flap holsters are for 6 1/2" & 8 3/8" model 29 or model 57 revolvers (size code 535)& are probably 1960-70's production.The last 3 holsters are all Lawrence holsters for the model 29 with a 6 1/2" barrel,size code 534;these were probably made in the early to mid 1960's.The three digit Lawrence size code was 1st used in the early 1960's.All 3 holsters were models that had been in Lawrence's line for years. The last photo shows the sewn in sight protectors in the models 150LRS & 140 LFSC holsters.
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turnerriver
John Witty
SWCA # 1426
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Last edited by turnerriver; 07-12-2009 at 08:12 PM.
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Old 07-11-2009, 08:12 PM
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Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story  
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wow that really looks nice, other than the occational BBQ I would be afraid to wear it, just looks too nice
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Old 07-11-2009, 09:55 PM
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Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story  
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Fantastic B-M rigs, John.
I have several, including one similar to your first picture but for a 3.5" N-frame, also a Calhoun City manufactured holster.
They are among my favorite holsters.
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Old 07-11-2009, 10:00 PM
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Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story  
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John - Happy Birthday!!! & Thanks for sharing your amazing collection and outstanding photos!
This gives me a "grail" holster to search for to accompany my Pre-29!

Again, Thanks so much!
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Old 07-11-2009, 10:02 PM
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Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story  
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John,

Very nice! Great information. Thanks for the post!!

I've never noticed "sight protectors" in holsters. I'll have to start taking closer looks.

I've got a couple of Berns Martin holsters similar to the first one in your post. One of them has an additonal stamping on the back: "Evaluators Ltd.".
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Last edited by digi-shots; 07-11-2009 at 10:07 PM.
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Old 07-11-2009, 10:09 PM
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Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story  
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A very nice collection of fine leather! I particuarly like the full flap holsters. Thanks for shareing.
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Old 06-09-2014, 09:09 PM
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Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story Model 29 .44 Mag. with vintage holsters,interesting Berns-Martin story  
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This one needs to go back around!
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357 magnum, 44 magnum, basketweave, berns, floral, leather, model 27, model 29, model 57, n-frame

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