Holsters Makers: Hermann H. Heiser Archive

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 14, 2024

Dear friends and Gunleather enthusiasts

Here we begin The Hermann H. Heiser Archive, my wish is that it becomes an absolute reference for enthusiasts that is as vast and deep as possible and that collects as much information as possible regarding the production of holsters and gunleather between the end of the 19th century and two thirds of the 20th century of the historic and iconic brand The Hermann H. Heiser Saddlery Co. of Denver, Colorado.

You are all invited to collaborate, in fact, I strongly ask you to do so, among you there are the greatest experts in the sector.

Photograph your splendid holsters as best as possible and, if possible, write in the title the number that H.H. Heiser had attributed to that model and the variations:
Fine Plain Smooth Finish
Full Hand Basket Stamped
Full Mexican Hand Carved.

Provide as much information as possible, historical photos, anecdotes, advertisements and anything else that may be of interest to better understand the history and production of this famous manufacturer.
Any contribution is welcome.

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WORK IN PROGRESS

CATALOGS

Here are the links to the my ALBUMS, you can find the complete reproduction of all Hermann H Heiser Saddlery Co. Sporting Goods of Denver Colo. USA Catalogs.

I started with the n° 19, the oldest in my possession, follow n° 20, n° 23, n° 30.

As soon as I can find the two catalogs that precede the 19 I'll add them here, Idem will be done for all catalogs missed

Please help me to find the below catalogs missed
here you can see the front cover of the 4 catalogs required

I ask RED Nichols for permission to publish this table in the thread, if he denies it I will immediately remove the attachment.

CATALOG N°19

+26

Hermann H. Heiser Sporting Goods Catalog number 19

ENNE-FRAME
May 7, 2025
35

as complement to the thread HOLSTERS MAKERS "Hermann H Heiser Archive"

CATALOG N°20

+27

Hermann H. Heiser Sporting Goods Catalog number 20 - February 1st 1928

ENNE-FRAME
May 7, 2025
36

As complement to the thread HOLSTERS MAKERS "Hermann H Heiser Archive"

CATALOG N°23

+18

Hermann H. Heiser Sporting Goods Catalog number 23

ENNE-FRAME
May 8, 2025
27

as supplemento to the thread HOLSTERS MAKERS "Hermann H Heiser Archive"

CATALOG N°30

+18

Hermann H. Heiser Sporting Goods Catalog number 30

ENNE-FRAME
May 9, 2025
27

As supplement to the thread HOLSTERS MAKERS "Hermann H Heiser Archive"

CATALOG N°32

+18

Hermann H. Heiser Sporting Goods Catalog number 32 - 1937 -

ENNE-FRAME
May 10, 2025
27

As supplement to the thread HOLSTERS MAKERS "Hermann H Heiser Archive"

turnerriver · Feb 14, 2024

Heiser 433-733 and early model 196

OK, let’s see if there’s any interest, at least we should see some good leather.
I looked for an example of this holster for a long time, as is often the case once I found the plain one I ran across the floral carved example soon after.
This is one of many Heiser models that Elmer Keith found too big and cumbersome for actual use, “ just that much extra leather to cart around all day.”
The 433 holster was made for a 6 1/2” S&W .44 revolver as scribed on the back. It has the Abercrombie & Fitch logo and model number 433 stamped on the toe of the skirt.
The model 733 was made for a 7 1/2” Colt New Service revolver.
This series of holsters last appeared in catalog number 30, circa 1937. It was dropped from the line by catalog number 32 (1939).
The model 196 example was made prior to 1918 or so as Heiser changed their numbering system around then. I’ll see if I can find it in a catalog to see what they call that tooling !

Regards,

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 14, 2024

H.H. Heiser Mexican Loop Style Flap Belt Holster #195, #196, #197 and #433, #533, #733

Mexican Loop Style Flap Belt Holster #195, #196, #197
Seen on the N° 14 catalog.
Catalog numeration for this holsters, early in the century:
#195---Plain Smooth Finish (No photos available)
#196---Bull's Eye stamped
#197---Mexican Raised Hand Carved
The main difference between this early style holsters, listed in the catalog N°14, and the later versions numbered #433, #533, #733 appearing in catalog #19, is the open end of these firsts as opposed to the later types with sewn ends.

turnerriver · Feb 14, 2024

I added to my post, that series of model numbers was used prior to 1917 or 18.
Regards,

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 14, 2024

turnerriver said:
I added to my post, that series of model numbers was used prior to 1917 or 18.
Regards,

Thanks Turnerriver for the great start, you started with a really beautiful piece.
I have attached photos of a nice belt with a similar stamping finish as the holster
Awesome this tooling called by Heiser: The Bull's Eye stamped

rednichols · Feb 14, 2024

ENNE-FRAME said:
Thanks Turnerriver for the great start, you started with a really beautiful piece.
I have attached photos of a nice belt with the same finish as the holster
Awesome finish The Bull's Eye stamped

I've neither seen nor eve heard of this stamping by Heiser or any other! Well done to you and to turnerriver. His mark is much earlier than yours.

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 14, 2024

H.H. Heiser Mexican Loop Style Flap Belt Holster No. #433, #533, #733

rednichols said:
I've neither seen nor eve heard of this stamping by Heiser or any other! Well done to you and to turnerriver. His mark is much earlier than yours.

Found on the catalog number 14 the tooling called by Heiser: Bull's Eye stamped
At pag 25 of the same catalog there are the holsters of this thread with early numbering.

turnerriver said:
OK, let’s see if there’s any interest, at least we should see some good leather.
I looked for an example of this holster for a long time, as is often the case once I found the plain one I ran across the floral carved example soon after.
This is one of many Heiser models that Elmer Keith found too big and cumbersome for actual use, “ just that much extra leather to cart around all day.”
The 433 holster was made for a 6 1/2” S&W .44 revolver as scribed on the back. It has the Abercrombie & Fitch logo and model number 433 stamped on the toe of the skirt.
The model 733 was made for a 7 1/2” Colt New Service revolver.
This series of holsters last appeared in catalog number 30, circa 1937. It was dropped from the line by catalog number 32 (1939).

Regards,

This style appeared in the catalog N°19 pag.30 and present until catalog N° 30 and no longer available from catalog N° 32
the new style of these holsters called Mexican Loop Style Flap Belt Holster with the new numberation
No #433--- Fine Plain Smooth Finish
No #533--- Full Hand Basket Stamped
No #733--- Full Mexican Hand Carved

Please look the last photo and the post N°243 where Dave "s&wchad" has gently posted nice photos of his special order model #433

https://smith-wessonforum.com/142186655-post243.html
https://smith-wessonforum.com/142186694-post244.html

Kansasgunner · Feb 15, 2024

The Bullseye stamping is one I’ve not seen before. Very handsome leather!

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 15, 2024

H. H. Heiser 431- 531 1/2- 531- 731

Thong Sewed Edge Flap Holster
From the catalog N°19 pag. 28
Flap holster fully chamois skin lined and rawhide laced.
The model #431-#531 1/2-#531- #731

link to post N° 11 and 120
https://smith-wessonforum.com/141931204-post11.html

https://smith-wessonforum.com/142080097-post120.html

-Thanks to turnerriver for the beautiful holster for my prewar 38-44 Outdoorsman

-often the craftsman scratched on the back the model of the gun.

No 431--- Fine Plain Smooth Finish
No 531 1/2--- Basket Stamped Flap Only
No 531--- Full Hand Basket Stamped (no photo available)
No 731--- Full Mexican Hand Carved

thanks to bruce5781 for the awesome photos of his Heiser 431 Holster

rednichols · Feb 15, 2024

ENNE-FRAME said:
Found on the catalog number 14 the tooling called by Heiser: Bull's Eye stamped
At pag 25 of the same catalog there are the holsters of this thread with early numbering.
If anyone has catalog number 14 please post page 25

Well done for a very special 'find'. My own page is worse than yours and it takes your image to imagine that mine has always called out 'bulls eye' stamping. The catalogue itself is not that rare, perhaps another forum reader will help us. Cat 14 h/b determined t/b 1911, the year my dad was born.

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 15, 2024

H.H. Heiser #431-#531 1/2-#531-#731

Thong Sewed Edge Flap Holster
#431-#531 1/2- #531- #731
Here the #531 1/2 Basket Stamped Flap Only
Below a #431 Small for Revolvers Under 4" Barrels

turnerriver · Feb 17, 2024

Heiser 422-522-1722

The 422 series of holsters was cataloged throughout the 1900’s, appearing in catalog number 19 (1921) to number 51 (1956). It didn’t show up in catalog number 52. It was a field type holster with rawhide whip stitching and safety strap that was made for automatic pistols only.
Shown are a model 422 made for a .45 auto, a 522 for a .45 auto and a model 1722 made for a 4 1/2” Woodsman ( etched .22 4 1/2 under the model number). The 1722 is a model 722 with smooth leather lining and sewn in bottom plug, this example was special ordered with a finial closure instead of a snap.

Regards,

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 17, 2024

Heiser No. 1422-1522-1722

First published in catalog N° 20 page 18
No. 1422---Full Plain Smooth Finish (the model 1422 in the photo has a marking error, in fact on the back it is marked 2422)
No. 1522---Full Hand Basket Stamped
No. 1722---Full Mexican Hand Carved

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 17, 2024

Hermann H. Heiser 454-554-754 New Style Belt Holsters for Revolvers or Automatics

The first appearance of the new style holsters is in catalog number 23, initially produced with the double loop blocked by triple H snap button, changed from catalog number 32 with buckled loops

(turnerriver wrote in another post:
"The 454 series of holsters first appears in my library in catalog number 30, first noted in 1937 according to the chart on page 104 in Holstory . Catalog number 20 does not list this holster. Note the catalog refers to the holster as a new style holster. As this cut from the 1930 catalog shows the straps were first secured with the pre-war brass and enamel three H snaps. Catalog number 32 ( sighted 1939 according to Holstory ) shows the holster with strap buckles as your examples have. Regarding dating the holsters, the three H brass and enamel snaps were used up into the 1940’s-the first catalog to show the new brown enamel snaps is number 38, first seen in 1946 according to the chart in Holstory although my experience indicates the three H snaps were phased out prior to that.")

New style
No.454--Plain smooth finish with button snaps
No.554---Full hand basket stamped no photo available
No.754---Full Mexican Hand Carved with button snaps

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 17, 2024

Hermann H. Heiser 454-554-754 New Style Belt Holsters for Revolvers or Automatics

New Style Belt Holsters
No.554---Full hand basket stamped with safety strap with button snaps, buckled loops
Double holsters hand basket stamped buscadero rig
No.454--Plain smooth finish

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 17, 2024

Hermann H. Heiser 454-554-754 New Style Belt Holsters for Revolvers or Automatics

Movie frame with Robert Taylor wears a 754 new style Mexican carved finish
No.754--Full Mexican hand carved
a Mexican hand carved rig with "new style" holsters No.754 and belt No.65, Buscadero Rig, holsters without safety strap, with double buckled loops, cartridge loops cal 32 20.

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 18, 2024

Hermann H. Heiser 454-554-754 New Style Belt Holsters for Revolvers or Automatics

No.754--Full Mexican hand carved, special order full lined.
Mexican hand carved rig with "new style" holsters No.754 with safety strap enamel snap button
A No.754--Full Mexican hand carved, Woolskin lined special order
Close up photo of 554 safety strap with triple H snap button.

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 18, 2024

H.H. Heiser No. 456-556-756

No. 456---Plain smooth finish
No. 556---Full hand Basket stamped (No photos available)
A LH Plain smooth finish in dark brown leather.
Model with a very elegant design photographed here with the addition of "solid nickel ornaments", as the Heiser catalog stated, perfectly smooth inside.
first appeared in catalogue number 32

ENNE-FRAME · Feb 18, 2024

H.H. Heiser No. 456-556-756

No.756---Full Mexican hand carved.
Special order example here supplied of safety strap with plain enamel snap button
Other photos for standard model.

Onomea · Feb 18, 2024

Heiser 772 and 721

Here's a 722 [Edit: Actually, a mis-stamped 772. See Turnerriver's clarification below]:

And a 721:

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