Thumb break holsters

Niederlander · Dec 11, 2018

Gentlemen, Does anyone know when the first thumb break holsters were made? By what company? It would seem old catalogs would be about the best source, but the only thing I have of any age is the Stoeger's Shooters Bible, and that is really limited. Thanks for any help!

turnerriver · Dec 12, 2018

Chic Gaylord’s book Handgunner’s Guide shows a holster on page 81 called the Super Sleuth that has a thumb break, some of his other models are shown with one as well. The book was copywrited in 1960. In our book Holstory, a footnote in the Gaylord et. al. chapter refers to a patent filed by Al Kippen in 1957 for a thumb snap feature marketed by Bucheimer, the patent was issued in 1959. So a reasonable answer is late 1950’s to early 1960’s for the development of the thumb break or thumb snap holster.
Regards,
turnerriver

turnerriver · Dec 12, 2018

This is a page from a 1955-6 Bucheimer catalog showing the Guardian holster with a hidden snap closure-“ Very rapid draw insured-your thumb is in place quickly to release snap.” This is the earliest reference to a thumb break that I’ve found and is no doubt the feature subsequently patented by Al Kippen.
Regards,
turnerriver

Niederlander · Dec 13, 2018

Thank you, Gentlemen! Good information so far!

Thumb break holsters

Niederlander

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turnerriver

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turnerriver

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Niederlander

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