WHO LOVES HUNTER HOLSTERS?

crazyphil · #1 10-13-2020, 09:52 PM

I guess I do, I've accumulated 11 of them so far. I mentioned on another thread that for many years I have cut out ads and articles from gun magazines. My fascination with Hunters started with this ad in American Rifleman in May of 1956. Below left.

Then, just a few years ago, Fat tom posted pictures of his Combat Action holster for a J Frame. About the same time Cocked and Locked posted picture of his with a 1911. Both of them were carved and beautiful. That did it. I was hooked.

Hunter is kind of a continuation of Heiser and Colorado Saddlery. When Heiser changed hands back around 1945 the leather engravers moved over to Colorado Saddlery. They were called engravers back then. We know that Hunter was in business as early as 1956 because of the ad.

A while back BC38 asked an interesting question in one of the threads. Were Hunter holsters actually carved, or were they stamped (embossed)? I told him I'm no expert, but I was, and am, quite sure that they are actually carved.

Then one of our forum gurus, Red Nichols, verified that yes, they are in fact "Mexican carved". That doesn't mean they were carved in Mexico. It is a style.

One of Colorado Saddlery's engravers, J. L. Bianco, was one of those who went on to work at Hunter. He was engraving for 40 years. His obituary appeared in 2000. I would like to think some of my Hunters were carved by Mr. Bianco.

I found a black Hunter Combat Action holster beautifully carved. The size is 55L. It can't be found in Hunter's vintage size chart, but through trial and error I found that it fits my 1911 Colt's Gold Cup NM. Shown on a Sparks gun belt. Below 2nd from left.

Hunter says their 1100 series has been the most popular leather holster in America for over 50 years. I believe them. The snap on - snap off loop was patented by Brauer Brothers in 1928. The 1100s have the plain finish. 2100s are basket weave, and 3100s are carved. The size chart for model 1100 works for all three models.

3rd from left is Hunter's model 1060 Buscadero shown with my 1860 Army replica. I put the knight on the holster.

4th from left is a little model 1100 size 6 a bit out of the ordinary because it was laced by Hunter. Shown with my Charter Undercover.

5th from left is a model 3001 for a 2" Chief. Shown with my S&W 642-1 on a Carson belt.

TO BE CONTINUED

LEO918 · #2 10-13-2020, 10:00 PM

Here's one of mine. Fits N frames with 6 1/2" barrels.

crazyphil · #3 10-13-2020, 10:03 PM

CONTINUATION OF POST NUMBER ONE.

Below, on the left is a Hunter 3100 size 12 on a Dave Keith belt with my model 29.

2nd from left is a Hunter 3100 size 11 on a Lawrence cartridge belt with my model 19.

3rd from left is a Hunter 3100 size 30 with my model 10 with 4" barrel.

4th from left is Hunter's model 1100 field holster size 29 on my Sparks gun belt with my model 10 with 2" barrel.

5th from left is a Hunter model 3100 size 16 on a Cowtown cartridge belt with my New Model Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 magnum.

TO BE CONTINUED

crazyphil · #4 10-13-2020, 10:08 PM

CONTINUATION OF POST NUMBER ONE:

On the left below is a Hunter model 3100 size 50 on the Cowtown belt with a Single Action Army replica with 7.5" barrel.

2nd from left is Hunter's model 3100 size 13 on a Carson belt, with a Single Action Army replica with 4.75" barrel.

THE END

ajgunner · #5 10-13-2020, 10:57 PM

Well at least now we know where all the really nice Hunters live. I scrounge all over for decent leather and have never found a single carved Hunter ---YET---the hunt continues.

jimgoldth · #6 10-14-2020, 12:00 AM

Hunter Holsters have been a part of my history of holsters. My First 2 Holsters were Hunter holsters. A model 11000 was the holster of my first handgun a Ruger Standard 22LR. and a Hunter 56L for my second handgun a Colt Model 357 6" barrel. I have had other Hunter Holsters that are long gone but I still have others. The hunter holster for the Great Western Sherriff Model 3" is one I have never seen before.

Buick · #7 10-14-2020, 05:09 AM

I think Hunter is the best value in a quality American made holster. They just work. I have Hunters for my 5" USFA SAA clone (in Antique Brown with matching gunbelt) as well as for my Ruger .44 Special Flattop 4.625", (also in Antique Brown). My 1st gen Colt 7.5" SAA in .32 WCF came to me in a Hunter.

LEO918 · #8 10-14-2020, 08:39 AM

There's a black floral Hunter for N frames in the background with my Model 29.

skeezix · #9 10-14-2020, 10:03 AM

I've had several "plain Jane" Hunter holsters over the years. I was not aware until recently that Hunter ever made "fancy" holsters. But here are a couple I purchased a couple of months ago. Both came with the original boxes and are like-new condition.

Model 3100-27 (8-inch K-frame)

IMG_7615 copy 2.jpg

Model 3100-29 (2-inch K-frame)

IMG_7611 copy 2.jpg

crazyphil · #10 10-15-2020, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeezix

I've had several "plain Jane" Hunter holsters over the years. I was not aware until recently that Hunter ever made "fancy" holsters. But here are a couple I purchased a couple of months ago. Both came with the original boxes and are like-new condition.

Model 3100-27 (8-inch K-frame)

Attachment 475732

Model 3100-29 (2-inch K-frame)

Attachment 475733

Skeezix your model 29 with 2-inch k-frame is beautiful.
It caused me to take another look at my plain black one
posted in my 2nd post above. My eyes lied to me. I had
to change it to model 29.

boykinlp · #11 10-15-2020, 06:11 PM

I really like Hunter holsters too. I have said before that they are the best bang for your buck for a vintage floral carved holster, by far. Here is my Model 3100. My S&W Model 642-2 fits in it well, as does my Pre-10.
Larry

crazyphil · #12 10-16-2020, 07:48 AM

I don't know if this one was mis-stamped or what? The size code is 3001
instead of 3100. Also stamped 2" Chief. Shown here with my S&W 642-1
on a Carson belt. Piranha knife, flashlight & private pilot hat.

OLDSTER · #13 10-16-2020, 07:57 AM

I've been carrying either a CA Undercover or a Chiefs Special in this little beauty cross draw while driving for about ten years

vrichard · #14 10-17-2020, 10:49 AM

I`ve had this Hunter holster for 58 years.
Dick

crazyphil · #15 10-21-2020, 01:08 AM

Just found another Hunter model 3100. Well, just a picture and a little
information is all, but I found it interesting. Hope you all do too.

white cloud · #16 10-21-2020, 06:42 AM

Does the back of the retaining snap touch the revolver in these holsters?

crazyphil · #17 10-21-2020, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white cloud

Does the back of the retaining snap touch the revolver in these holsters?

The leather is quite thick and the inside snaps are recessed a bit
into the leather. Does not appear to be an issue.

max503 · #18 10-21-2020, 09:16 AM

Bought this out of a cardboard junk box at a gun shop about 40 years ago. Had the snap fixed and been using it ever since.

bmcgilvray · #19 10-21-2020, 09:57 AM

I think there's a Hunter that fits something in the holster bin, but I never thought much of it or the Hunter line. I've always looked right past Hunter for holsters, vintage or new. Didn't know that such Hunter holsters existed until reading your thread crazyphil.

Thanks!

hotshot357 · #20 10-21-2020, 09:59 AM

I bought one several years ago and I love it !!!

Wyatt Burp · #21 10-21-2020, 10:31 AM

When I was about 14 my dad and I found this lefty hunter rig ast the flea market. The holster's top edge was torn open exposing the metal insert and the belt was really big. He modified the belt to fit me then made an entirely new metal lined holster pouch with a laced main seam. He put corresponding hidden chicago screws in the back to screw on to the Hunter holster"fender". I wore this to death as a kid roaming the country side with my Ruger .22. I still have it.
When I found the bottom holster in a gun shop junk box for a couple bucks, I was shocked that it was a Hunter. Hunter belt was separate but matched.

stamper · #22 10-27-2020, 01:43 AM

Does anybody know what the P or G stand for within the model numbers? Most of the 1100 model holsters I've seen are just that ... 1100. But some of them are 1100P or 1100G.

OLDSTER · #23 10-27-2020, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stamper

Does anybody know what the P or G stand for within the model numbers? Most of the 1100 model holsters I've seen are just that ... 1100. But some of them are 1100P or 1100G.

Mine ( post#13)is 1100K 7. ??

Igiveup · #24 10-27-2020, 12:57 PM

Until this thread, I didn't realize Hunter made a floral pattern holster. Thought they were all plain. My first store bought holster was for a High Standard 999 Sportsman, then my second for a Ruger Black Hawk. Both plain, bought back in the sixties. Still have them.

crazyphil · #25 10-27-2020, 01:59 PM

The plain ones are 1100, the floral carved 3100, and the basket weave
2100. I only remember ever seeing one basket weave.

Stevens · #26 10-27-2020, 06:24 PM

I bought this Hunter 1100 and my first handgun, an H&R model 900, as a teenager in the late 60s. It is still good as new although I had to replace the male half of one of the snaps a few years ago.
Steve W