Brill Holster

arabensburg said:

I grew up unaware of the “Brill” design. This is a new subject for me. I knew my grandfather was popular because I continued to get a few forwarded requests for holster orders from as far away as Detroit, Michigan for several years following his death. The Brill name was also a familiar subject including the store location on 6th Street in downtown Austin. Arno Brill III, who was a guest of mine in La Grange, Texas several years ago, was unaware of N. J. Rabensburg and his connection with the A. W. Brill Company. This caught me off-guard since my grandfather supposedly had a strong connection with the Brill company and a probable ownership position. However, Brill III denied any such connection with Rabensburg.

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This man surely was not a "Brill III" but A.W. Brill Jr.'s (he also was not a III though the family engraved his headstone that way), brother Bob who died only recently.

There is plenty of evidence including the 1959 article you mentioned that N.J. took over the Brills' saddlery operations. There is also Rabensburg ad of 1937 in which he clearly states he is 'successor to A.W. Brill'. And then there's his address: in 1932 his appearance in the Austin directory is at 302 E. 6th, which was Brill's.

And the prior mayor of Llano was Arno's brother in law; I'd say the two families never lost touch over the years. And the Brills had something far better to do than make holsters: they had created Brillville, which opened in 1948 after the War was over.

I'll admit that from Nelson's article I was assuming (it seems now, incorrectly) that your grandfather was in Austin because Capt. Hughes was stationed there (dismounted). Nelson's chronicling is quite literal elsewhere and in this case he neither says nor implies that N.J. was in Austin; La Grange being their meeting place is quite plausible. Hughes was all over Texas and La Grange is very close to Austin anyway.

The most likely way, then, that your grandfather's new design got to August Brill -- who was not a saddler, by the way, he merely worked for one -- was by Hughes taking the design to W.T. Wroe & Sons in Austin. Both Wroe and Capt. McNelly (d. 1877) were in the 5th Texas Cavalry together during the Civil War (Confederate) and Wroe married McNelly's widow Carey in 1908. It would have been a natural for a senior Ranger to consider Wroe -- and that's just where Brill was working at that time. There were a dozen known makers of Brill copies scattered only in Texas, in about a 200 mile radius around Austin; perhaps Hughes played 'Johnny Appleseed' with the new design (which we speculate was actually developed from King Ranch's earlier, bulkier version) on behalf of his men.

August did not take over Wroe's saddlery company as suggested by the Vintagegunleather site. Wroe continued operations under that name until he retired in 1915; he was a carriage dealer and then a car dealer during that era. At retirement his son changed the name of the operation to W.T. Wroe and Son (not Sons). August's operation appeared for the first time, as you know, in the 1912/13 city directory that was issued after November 1912.

rednichols said:

My good friend crazyphil aka lucky-b let me know about your latest post, Neale. A large amount of information has been gathered about your grandfather's contribution to the creation of the Brill holster and I'm happy to share any and all of it with you if you have an interest. Some of the information you've recited is supported by this evidence, and some of it is contradicted; and we can help each other by sorting it all out for 'holstory' (holster history). Options would be to reach out via the PM (private message) system; or simply keep posting. You should be especially interested in an article written in 2008 by a chap, still living the last time I checked, named Stan Nelson who met your grandfather around 1955 at which time Rabensburg (the name he gave) outlined to Nelson how he came to invent the Brill (didn't call it that but made a pair of them for Nelson) for Capt. Hughes. Here is one of them, and you will surely recognise it:

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My recollection is probably not as good as it was just a few years ago, but I thought the Arno Brill, who stayed at my B&B introduced several years ago introduced himself as the 3rd. He would be a grandson of Arno Brill, who was a contemporary of my grandfather. I assume his father was a Junior. I have had no contact with him since, but I am trying to acquire more information so that I can send it to him to convince him of the existence of my grandfather with the A. W. Brill Company. As I said earlier, my grandfather had the A. W. Brill stamp in his collection of tools, and there is the 1959 Austin American article and the advertisement you mentioned. Rabensburg could not be espousing his ownership position in the company and keep the Brill family as close friends and associates if his statements were not indeed true.

There is an article in the LaGrange Journal newspaper that says the following: The La Grange Journal, December 2, 1909

Newton Rabensburg, for the past several years in the employ of the LaGrange Saddlery Company, left Sunday night for Dallas to enter the employ of a wholesale saddlery house. May good luck be yours, young man.

When I was in school, "few" meant about 2 years and several was about 3 years or more but probably not greater that 5 or thereabouts. If several was a true statement in the article, then N. J. Rabensburg as a 15/16 year-old was working in LaGrange at LaGrange Saddlery (1906 lets say). However, the archivist at the Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives in La Grange and myself believe it is also possible for Rabensburg to have made contacts in Austin and was acting as a wholesale supplier representing his LaGrange business. W. T. Wroe may have been one of the recipients of his wares. My God!, he is so young to be doing all of this and have the respect of much older adults. He had to be some sort of genius in his leather trade and wanted to further his career with travel and exposure. He did not let obstacles stand in his way. The aforementioned sounds very plausible since he went to Dallas as a 19 year-old in the wholesale saddlery business.

Your grandfather, N.J. Rabensburg, was born in August of 1889; so in 1909 when he left La Grange for Dallas he was as old as 20 (depending on the month). That saddlery in La Grange is the saddlery that he returned to buy from his new uncle-in-law, Louis Walter, after marrying in 1915.

There don't appear, at least from the sources that I can locate including Findagrave, to be more than two men named Arno William Brill. In that case, the first is 'Sr.' and the his son is named is 'Jr.'. To have an Arno William Brill III, there would need to be a third man and he would have to be the son of Jr.

Nevertheless we know from newspaper clippings and the gravestones, that August Brill was known locally (Austin) as Sr., Arno as Jr., and his son Arno was known as 3rd. I will speculate that was simply to help the locals differentiate amongst the three A.W. Brills not least because it was the name on the building .

August had three sons and by all three he had grandchildren. The only grandchildren of August (children of Arno) Brill who lived until recently, were Idanell Connally nee Brill (2006) and her brother Bob (2016). We have to take Idanell off the list because her children weren't born Brills. That leaves Bill, and Bob. On closer examination I see that Bill Brill had a son he named Arno William Brill II. Could that "II" (who is not, genealogically) born 1948 have borne a "III"? Could have, but -- he would not actually be a III, and if he was the chap you met, then he was very young. Was he?

So, perhaps, there are now two tall tales that this man you met, told you: that he was Arno Brill III (who doesn't appear to have ever existed); and that your grandfather didn't succeed the A.W. Brill company (which we all know he did). This is just one piece of the evidence, from 1937:

if it's too small to view, simply close its browser window and it will reappear, larger

rednichols said:

Your grandfather, N.J. Rabensburg, was born in August of 1889; so in 1909 when he left La Grange for Dallas he was as old as 20 (depending on the month). That saddlery in La Grange is the saddlery that he returned to buy from his new uncle-in-law, Louis Walter, after marrying in 1915.

There don't appear, at least from the sources that I can locate including Findagrave, to be more than two men named Arno William Brill. In that case, the first is 'Sr.' and the his son is named is 'Jr.'. To have an Arno William Brill III, there would need to be a third man and he would have to be the son of Jr.

Nevertheless we know from newspaper clippings and the gravestones, that August Brill was known locally (Austin) as Sr., Arno as Jr., and his son Arno was known as 3rd. I will speculate that was simply to help the locals differentiate amongst the three A.W. Brills not least because it was the name on the building .

August had three sons and by all three he had grandchildren. The only grandchildren of August (children of Arno) Brill who lived until recently, were Idanell Connally nee Brill (2006) and her brother Bob (2016). We have to take Idanell off the list because her children weren't born Brills. That leaves Bill, and Bob. On closer examination I see that Bill Brill had a son he named Arno William Brill II. Could that "II" (who is not, genealogically) born 1948 have borne a "III"? Could have, but -- he would not actually be a III, and if he was the chap you met, then he was very young. Was he?

So, perhaps, there are now two tall tales that this man you met, told you: that he was Arno Brill III (who doesn't appear to have ever existed); and that your grandfather didn't succeed the A.W. Brill company (which we all know he did). This is just one piece of the evidence, from 1937:

View attachment 342055 if it's too small to view, simply close its browser window and it will reappear, larger

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Yes, I am confused with the Brill descendants. The Brill I met was closer to my age perhaps a little younger. John Connally, Jr., Idanell's son, was exactly the same age as me (June 7, 1946). We had a class together at the University of Texas at Austin when his father was Governor. We did not meet at this time but would walk near each other on our way down the South Mall after class. He had security with him. Years later in Houston, he was my client in a real estate transaction. I assumed the Arno Brill at my B & B was John, Jr.'s first cousin.

Louis Walter and his wife, Meta Speckels, raised Lillian Edna Speckels, Rabensburg's wife to be. She was very important to them, and I rightly thought made the introductions. I also thought that in about 1907 Rabensburg apprenticed with the Walter company. It seemed logical. I have learned recently, however, Rabensburg worked for Louis Walter's competitor, LaGrange Saddlery, located on the opposite side of the town square starting about 1906 or thereabouts.

Newton and Lillian met but perhaps a little differently. Rabensburg purchased in March 1915 a partnership position in the saddlery of Speckels and Zwiener, which had formerly been the Louis Walter establishment. The Speckel's partnership, I believe, was from Rudolph Speckels and a 1st cousin to Lillian. I need to get the timeline straight on this, but I think Zwiener and Rabensburg purchased the inventory from LaGrange Saddlery when it ceased operations.

So, the pieces come together this way: you're a 1946 boy, the Arno you met was about your age, and Bill Brill's son named Arno was born in '48. My 'new theory', then, is that because there was an Arno William Brill (Sr.), who was August's son; and Arno had a son with the same name (so Jr.); the chap you met thinks of himself as the third Arno William Brill and so calls himself III. His birth certificate calls him II, which would be incorrect because there is no "II"; instead these men are called "Jr.".

All good fun

rednichols said:

So, the pieces come together this way: you're a 1946 boy, the Arno you met was about your age, and Bill Brill's son named Arno was born in '48. My 'new theory', then, is that because there was an Arno William Brill (Sr.), who was August's son; and Arno had a son with the same name (so Jr.); the chap you met thinks of himself as the third Arno William Brill and so calls himself III. His birth certificate calls him II, which would be incorrect because there is no "II"; instead these men are called "Jr.".

All good fun

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I did find a reference to Arno William Brill, who lives in the Houston area (Friendswood) and is an engineer associated with the Exxon Corporation. He is in his 70's according to that business reference, which might make him about my age or older. Like you, I cannot find an Arno W. Brill III living, who is connected with the August W. Brill descendant line.

On another note, I sent an email the other day to Texas historian Mike Cox. He says that he has an August Brill designed holster. I introduced myself and told him of my grandfather's connection to the A. W. Brill Company in Austin. He plans to send me a photo copy of the holster when he returns in June to the US. He is presently out of the country. Have you seen August Brill holsters or other leather products?

Below is a copy of a note sent a decade or more ago to a Floresville historian. I had been there on a trip to look for information relative to Henry B. Rabensburg, a saddler and harness maker. He was the father of Newton Joseph Rabensburg and was killed there in 1890.

HENRY B. RABENSBURG An Early Citizen of Floresville, Texas

The following information was transmitted to Shirley Grammer by Neale Rabensburg:

Henry B. Rabensburg was born in Bastrop, Bastrop County in 1864 and would have been 26 years old at the time of his death. He was married in 1886 in Fayette County to Wilhelmina Ehlinger. Three children were born to this marriage. The first two died as infants. The third, Newton Joseph Rabensburg, was born August 22, 1889 in Floresville. Henry moved to Floresville and set himself up in the leather and harness making business. He purchased two Floresville town tracts in 1886 with one of these fronting on the west side of the town square where it is assumed that he placed his business. Henry purchased three more land tracts in 1888 with one of these being another plot on the town square adjacent to his shop.

In a Floresville business publication, Henry B. Rabensburg was listed among the leaders of the Floresville community for the years 1890-91. However, Henry was not able to see the year 1891 since he was killed on November 26, 1890. Abruptly in the spring of 1890, Henry and his wife began to sell off their property in Floresville and indicated their new address on one of the deeds as Bexar County. By October 7, 1890, Henry had sold all six tracts of land in Floresville. The following month he would be dead, but apparently killed in Wilson County and not, Bexar County. The Bastrop Advertiser, November 29, 1890, made note of Henry Rabensburg’s death as follows:


Henry Rabensburg Killed by a Boy

“Telegrams from Floresville state that Henry B. Rabensburg, brother of Ed and George Rabensburg of Bastrop, was killed at Newton Brother’s ranch, near Brockenridge, Wednesday evening, by Tom Cooper, a 17-year-old boy. Our account says that “Young Cooper” had accidentally poured hot water on Rabensburg’s head while they were cleaning hogs and Rabensburg threatened to kill Cooper with a knife, that he ran Cooper away from the house with a Winchester rifle. Cooper ventured back and Rabensburg again started for his gun, when Cooper picked up a shot gun and shot him down. Cooper went to Floresville and surrendered to the sheriff.” Another account says: “Cooper and Rabensburg engaged in a dispute Tuesday evening over the value of a saddle. Rabensburg became infuriated and would have killed Cooper with a butcher knife but for the interference of friends. Cooper then left the house, but Rabensburg swore he would kill the boy on sight. Wednesday evening about 4 o’clock, Cooper returned, and the row was resumed, resulting in the shooting and instant killing of Rabensburg. Cooper immediately went to Floresville and surrendered to sheriff Seale of the county. Cooper is about sixteen years old, and eye witnesses say he was perfectly justifiable.” The dispatch says that “there is a case pending in the district court in San Antonio, against Henry, for the killing of Dr. Fonts a year ago and another against him in Karnes County for assault with intent to kill Dr. Layton several months ago.”

Note: Neale Rabensburg is researching his family history and is trying to find the grave of his ancestor Henry Rabensburg. He has been communicating with Shirley Grammer, and she is requesting help in attempting to locate his grave site or any additional information regarding the family. Should anybody have any information regarding the Rabensburg family or the location of the Newton Brother’s Ranch in Wilson County, please share it with Shirley Grammer 830.947.3176 1/03

The article was circulated on the internet for many years with no response. The Rabensburg men, according to a cousin of mine in Bastrop, harbor a temper. Murder and threatening to kill are perhaps carrying temper tantrums to the extreme, and I think (and I hope) these temper problems are waning over the generations. N. J. Rabensburg was a disciplinarian and an artist with ironically a keen sense of shrewdness for business and marketing. He had no patience with children, me being one. My father held respect for his Dad but they shared little affection. There was a reason.

Neale, you and I are really on a parallel road with forum members who have an interest in Brills. But, inspired by one of your queries, this will be of interest to all.

I may not have these in order but the captions will sort that out. Only the final image is mine; the rest belong to others:

This is an 'early' Brill; it has only one welt in the seam, the cuff is hand stitched on one end and by machine on the other, the stitching on the front side ends with a single stitch at right angles to the main. That main welt line is quite straight, too; on all revolvers and the autos.

This is a 'late' Brill; it has two and even three welts in the seam, the cuff is hand stitched at both ends, the stitching on the front side has one more return stitch that parallels the main. The bulge in the welt line is quite pronounced. Made by N.J.

This unmarked version, is considered the very earliest of the brill-style. Its carving type is very, very similar to the one attributed to Butch Cassidy (d. 1908). The Mexican carving of 'late' Brills by N.J. is very different.

This is a known Rabensburg. The image is from Stan Nelson and is one of the two holsters made for him by N.J. in Austin circa 1955. From these two holsters, was derived the 'late' and 'early' formula.

This is a Sessums. The image is mine and is of a holster I bought here in Oz that was discovered in a storage shed that hadn't paid its rent (well, the owner of the goods hadn't). Sessum are also considered collectibles and are less common than Brills. For my money, after I had a 'late' Brill, I'd want a King Ranch version, too.

There were a dozen Texas makers of the Brill style who marked their names on their holsters circa 1910-1920. Rabensburg outlived them all. All were within a 200 mile radius (it's quite exact) of Austin except S.D. Myres; which 'fits' if my Johnny Appleseed theory (Hughes) is correct because Sam Myres did not enter the holster biz until the 1930s.

There are also brill-style holsters that are neither marked, nor obviously constructed by any of the 'name' makers.

It must mean 'something', that I have NO Mexican carved 'early' Brill-marked holsters in my image files, except the one attributed to Cassidy. The carved ones otherwise are always Rabensburgs. Also, there appears to be no such thing, as a plain Brill-marked holster.

The other known players; will take three posts because there are more than 10

A.W. Brill (plenty of pics in this thread already)

Frank, in Beaumont

Huber, in Lubbock

King Ranch, in Kingsville

Lutz, in Bastrop

Martin, in Del Rio

Moores, in Henderson

Myres, in El Paso (this is turnerriver's)

Rabensburg, in Llano (identical to a 'late' Brill but always unmarked)

C.L. Rogers, in Stamford (there are four known makers named Rogers in holstory)

Sessums, in Longview (already pictured; employed one of the other (actually, two) Rogers)

Voss, in Orange

Wade, in Rosenberg

"The Map"

Neale Rabensburg has solved some puzzles about the Brill with his knowledge; and here he has illustrated for those of us working on The Book that Brill welts were hand-stitched, which explains how Newton Rabensburg was able to build them with two and three thick welts inside!

this is Neale's image, of a holster left incomplete at N.J.'s death in '61. Notice the 'fishook' return stitching at the mouth of the welt, and that the welt itself was to be trimmed off later (today such welts are cut exact size, glued in place, and machine stitched)(but two welts is generally considered maximum)(Myres and even Bianchi and Safariland once produced double-welt holsters that were machine stitched).

this is a boykinlp image of an N.J. We perhaps will never know why the welts themselves are not simply two individual continuous strips, but instead are a complex layering of skived welts that are interleaved not once but twice within the 'stack'.

The skived and interlaid 'welt stack' of that still-in-progress, frozen-in-time Brill by Rabensburg. Image is Neale's, notations are mine:



Previously the eagle-eyed Editor (of The Book) had spotted the separation of the layers in the welt stack, in completed 'late' Brills. I disassembled one I received earlier this year and he was, of course, right.

The main welt section being laminated from skived layers we can understand readily enough; Tom Threepersons' own (I have deduced Egland of Douglas AZ) holster has two very thick layers at the open end with one skived of them skived so that the double layer reduces smoothly back to just one along the barrel and then across the muzzle. But the 'late' Brills have three just at the muzzle. Yet not for the length of the barrel itself, even on the auto pistol versions.

In my thread titled A Brill For Lucky B I posted a photo of my late model
Brill, probably by Rabensburg, in post #1. I was asked a question about
the welt, which I described (in layman's terms) in post #17.

Courtesy of Neale, the rarest Brill in the world -- a Brill belt that is Mexican carved:





The name stamped into the belt, is Neale's father's (so, N.J.'s son). Neale tells me he wears it from time to time!

The lettering used, is the same as is found on the Brill-type that has no Brill maker's mark; rather, the owner's initials as on Texas Ranger Lee Trimble's.

The holster of Lee (LaFetra) Elisha Trimble (so, L.E.T. as on the holster cuff). He was a Texas Ranger for a brief period around 1920 and (it seems incorrectly) has been said to have met with Tom Threepersons in 1920 (instead it was surely Ranger Doc White who actually served with Tom at Treasury for six months in 1923). All three of Trimble's names are French, with Elisha pronounced like Elijah.

A dummied-up image placing the lettering from the belt, onto a cuff that is next to it in the image.