Heiser Model 175 Flap Holster

boykinlp · May 23, 2014

I recently got this fairly nice floral carved Heiser Flap Holster Model 175 and I have not been able to find out any information on it. It has the "bar and oval" leather makers mark and the Triple H Trademark Brass and Black Enamel snap, as well as a HHH rivet. I know that this makes it very old, not sure how old.

Most Heiser Holsters that I have seen have model numbers that start with a "7" for floral carved, a"5" for basketweve stamping, or "4" for plain, as you know. I can't find any info for one that starts with a "1". Also, many Heiser holsters have etched on the back what gun they are made for. I can't find that on this one.

Our resident holster expert, turnerriver, posted a holster that looked like it recently. I contacted him and he is going to check his holster out and get back with me. In the mean time, I know that there are a great number of other very knowledgeable holster guys and gals on the forum so I thought I would post some pictures and see what you folks might know about it.

mojave30cal · May 23, 2014

Nice Heiser. Any idea what gun it fits?

Mike McLellan · May 24, 2014

That is beautiful. I surf for holsters now and then, and, unless the seller says what gun will fit into it, I'm at a loss. We need a chart for: Heiser, Eubanks, Lawrence, Viking, etc. Maybe someone with the appropriate knowledge will accommodate us.

boykinlp · May 24, 2014

mojave30cal said:
Nice Heiser. Any idea what gun it fits?

I have no idea! I am hoping for help from here.

Mike McLellan said:
That is beautiful. I surf for holsters now and then, and, unless the seller says what gun will fit into it, I'm at a loss. We need a chart for: Heiser, Eubanks, Lawrence, Viking, etc. Maybe someone with the appropriate knowledge will accommodate us.

I surf too and that is how I got this one. I have bought holsters before and then bought the gun for it later.

I know, it is a sickness! As far as charts for all the makers go, I think that would be a difficult task, at least for some makers like Heiser. From what I can tell, Heiser was in the holster making business for around 100 years.

I absolutely love the vintage Heiser floral carved holsters. I have one other that is also laced wrapped, but this is my first one with the HHH rivet. From looking at the inside of the holster, I would guess that it is not for a target sighted gun. I really look forward to getting more information on the age and what gun the holster possibly fits.

SDH · May 24, 2014

The loop looks like it has an extreme forward rake?
Have you tried J, K, N frames in it?
6" barrel?

mojave30cal · May 24, 2014

I like to surf Ebay and some other sites for nice, used carved
H.H. Heiser holsters. They are works of art from a by gone era.
Sometimes I will pick up one and look for the gun to go with
it, or get the gun and find the carved Heiser holster that goes
with it. I think it's easier to find the gun for the holster, than the
other way around.

Back in January of this year I picked up a nickel Triple Lock
with a 6 1/2" bbl. on this forum. I found a black H.H. Heiser on
Ebay that was marked " S&W 44 6/12". It had the older style
triple H snap like yours. I contacted "turnerriver" and he told
me it was more accurate to date the holster from the snap than
the maker's mark on the back. He dated my holster to around
1926, which is somewhat period correct for my 1915 TL.

I'm sure he'll be along to help you to date your holster, and
maybe even tell you what gun goes with it. He has a lot of
catalogs from various makers to help with dating. Good luck.

lawandorder · May 24, 2014

boykinlp I sure was glad to see your admission, " I have bought holsters before and then bought the gun for it later. I know, it is a sickness! "

I thought I was the only one crazy enough to do this. It is indeed a sickness, but a fun one.

Stunning Holster by the way!

fat tom · May 24, 2014

lawandorder said:
boykinlp I sure was glad to see your admission, " I have bought holsters before and then bought the gun for it later. I know, it is a sickness! "

I thought I was the only one crazy enough to do this. It is indeed a sickness, but a fun one.

Not hardly!

f.t.

turnerriver · May 24, 2014

Late to the party, as usual. Here is the photo I posted of a later version of your holster, mine is a model 1735.

Heiser changed their model number system between catalog number 14 and 19. One of my catalog # 19 examples has a receipt in it dated 1922.
Model number 1735 wasn't listed in catalog # 19 but is offered in catalog # 20 (dated 1928). Heiser changed the model numbers sometime in the late 1910's, your holster pre-dates that time as it has the earlier model number 175.
My holster is maker etched "44 SW 6 1/2" which probably indicates a 2nd model .44 HE.
I'm going to post separately my thoughts on dating Heiser holsters, with at least some logic involved.
Heisers were made for any gun, the model numbers usually indicate revolver or auto but beyond that they are rarely formally marked as to what gun they were made for. They were frequently informally marked by the maker as described above.
That is a fine looking early flap holster you have there. Just by looking at the photo I would guess it was made for a large frame revolver although a medium frame is possible. Run your fingers inside and find where the cylinder impression ends, put a ruler on the outside and measure from there to the bottom and you'll have the barrel length. You've already determined that target sights weren't involved so you can narrow down what revolvers were available in 1918 or so that might fit.
Regards,
turnerriver

boykinlp · May 24, 2014

turnerriver said:
Late to the party, as usual. Here is the photo I posted of a later version of your holster, mine is a model 1735.

Heiser changed their model number system between catalog number 14 and 19. One of my catalog # 19 examples has a receipt in it dated 1922.
Model number 1735 wasn't listed in catalog # 19 but is offered in catalog # 20 (dated 1928). Heiser changed the model numbers sometime in the late 1910's, your holster pre-dates that time as it has the earlier model number 175.
My holster is maker etched "44 SW 6 1/2" which probably indicates a 2nd model .44 HE.
I'm going to post separately my thoughts on dating Heiser holsters, with at least some logic involved.
Heisers were made for any gun, the model numbers usually indicate revolver or auto but beyond that they are rarely formally marked as to what gun they were made for. They were frequently informally marked by the maker as described above.
That is a fine looking early flap holster you have there. Just by looking at the photo I would guess it was made for a large frame revolver although a medium frame is possible. Run your fingers inside and find where the cylinder impression ends, put a ruler on the outside and measure from there to the bottom and you'll have the barrel length. You've already determined that target sights weren't involved so you can narrow down what revolvers were available in 1918 or so that might fit.
Regards,
turnerriver

Thank you very much for your information, and that is your picture that I was refering to. Does your Model 1735 still use the HHH rivet?
It appears, to my measurements, that it is for a 6" barrel. My 6" K frame "wants" to fit, but the rears sight keeps it from going all the way in the holster and my 6" N frame is too tight all the way. I think Bobby's earlier guess was spot on.
It is exciting to know that the holster is almost 100 years old!

boykinlp · May 24, 2014

SDH said:
The loop looks like it has an extreme forward rake?
Have you tried J, K, N frames in it?
6" barrel?

You are correct! Removing the gun from this flap holster is not something that would be done in a hurry I don't believe. From my trials, it appears like it may be for a K frame 6" barrel.

Heiser Model 175 Flap Holster

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