Roy Baker invented his famous pancake in the early 1970s and
got his patent in 1973. I had his pancake to conceal my Model 19,
but I didn't use it very often, so I gave it away on a karma.
In 1978 Roy sold lock, stock and barrel to Calvin Porter. Porter
introduced the little motto and logo seen on some Baker holsters
that say Hidden Thunder. An example is shown below left.
I read a small article in a gun magazine that said Baker's company
was sold to Pioneer Company, who had also bought Eubanks.
But the clipping said the sale was in 1983, and Pioneer went out
of business in 1972. I wonder how that works?
When I read HOLSTORY, I realized how important the pancake
was in holster development, so I started looking again. I wanted
an open top, which is quite rare. Most of the Baker Pancakes I
have seen, seem to have about 2/3rds of the cylinder above the
belt, which would cause it to sag or tip outward. Maybe that's
why most of his pancakes have retention straps.
I finally found a nice one with an open top. Shown second from
left with my Colt's Agent, and a James belt, with my Stetson.
Notice the cylinder is about 2/3rds above the belt. It was also
made for a 3" barrel and my Agent has a 2", but as Red Nichols
told me the extra inch will help keep it from tipping outward, and
it does.
Baker's Company had successes other than just the pancake.
Here is an example. I was surfing on the Bay last week and
came across this Small S&W revolver shoulder holster. It was
an auction with only a few minutes remaining. The beginning bid
was fifteen dollars and another five for shipping. How could I go
wrong? I pounced on it. Front shown 3rd from left with my
Charter Undercover. 4th from left is the front close up, and 5th
is the back.
If you have a holster, look to see if the Hidden Thunder logo and
motto is on it, or if it's an original. Post em if you got em.
got his patent in 1973. I had his pancake to conceal my Model 19,
but I didn't use it very often, so I gave it away on a karma.
In 1978 Roy sold lock, stock and barrel to Calvin Porter. Porter
introduced the little motto and logo seen on some Baker holsters
that say Hidden Thunder. An example is shown below left.
I read a small article in a gun magazine that said Baker's company
was sold to Pioneer Company, who had also bought Eubanks.
But the clipping said the sale was in 1983, and Pioneer went out
of business in 1972. I wonder how that works?
When I read HOLSTORY, I realized how important the pancake
was in holster development, so I started looking again. I wanted
an open top, which is quite rare. Most of the Baker Pancakes I
have seen, seem to have about 2/3rds of the cylinder above the
belt, which would cause it to sag or tip outward. Maybe that's
why most of his pancakes have retention straps.
I finally found a nice one with an open top. Shown second from
left with my Colt's Agent, and a James belt, with my Stetson.
Notice the cylinder is about 2/3rds above the belt. It was also
made for a 3" barrel and my Agent has a 2", but as Red Nichols
told me the extra inch will help keep it from tipping outward, and
it does.
Baker's Company had successes other than just the pancake.
Here is an example. I was surfing on the Bay last week and
came across this Small S&W revolver shoulder holster. It was
an auction with only a few minutes remaining. The beginning bid
was fifteen dollars and another five for shipping. How could I go
wrong? I pounced on it. Front shown 3rd from left with my
Charter Undercover. 4th from left is the front close up, and 5th
is the back.
If you have a holster, look to see if the Hidden Thunder logo and
motto is on it, or if it's an original. Post em if you got em.
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