|
|
11-08-2021, 12:13 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
Liked 13 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
Pocket Holsters of old. How did they wear these?
I have always loved to examine interesting holsters. The old pocket style holsters fit that description.
Until recently, all of the pocket holsters I have seen are pretty much just a double layer back with a shaped-to-the-gun pouch on the front.
Yesterday I bought this pocket holster for $10. Fits the S&W 38 M&P perfectly.
It has a feature I have not encountered before. Namely, that flap with the stud hole punched in it. It is clearly not a button hole, which is a sensible way to secure the holster in a pocket. It is a standard size stud hole like you find on many flap holsters.
The flap is designed such that it can fold over flat against the holster. No clothes I can think of would have brass studs convenient for this flap to be secured to...except perhaps a motorcycle cop's leather jacket.
The discovery made me realize that I have no idea how the guys actually wore these pocket holsters and what tricks they used to secure and hide the things. I had imagined front pants pocket carry under a reefer coat and my thinking stopped right there.
Anyone have info?
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-08-2021, 12:25 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Two hours out of KC
Posts: 370
Likes: 35
Liked 526 Times in 132 Posts
|
|
Perhaps attached to the buttons inside the pants for suspenders? Not many pants still have those these days....
|
11-08-2021, 12:27 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
Liked 13 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
Those belt slots were added by a user.
No maker's mark on this holster. Just the "38" "4"
|
11-08-2021, 12:27 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Crawford County PA
Posts: 3,707
Likes: 4,420
Liked 6,729 Times in 2,428 Posts
|
|
I've heard of leather sowed into pockets but why not put a brass stud on a belt and suspend the holster into a back pocket. The belt loop could be used the same way.
__________________
Made it, Ma! Top of the world!
|
11-08-2021, 12:50 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 62
Likes: 66
Liked 79 Times in 36 Posts
|
|
Hammer spur hole????
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
11-08-2021, 01:06 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
Liked 13 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
[QUOTE=Peashooter67;141300895]Hammer spur hole????
That was my first thought. But it is way too far back toward the grip. Not even close.
|
11-08-2021, 01:36 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,730
Likes: 1,877
Liked 5,504 Times in 2,776 Posts
|
|
I have a sneaking suspicion that a swivel holster was the donor for the holster body. The hole is for the swivel stud.
Folks from way back when would have hysterics at what we call pockets today. They're too small and made from material too flimsy for real use. They don't even reinforce the bottoms with extra stitching and/or a second layer of cloth.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-08-2021, 03:08 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Great Lakes State
Posts: 30,037
Likes: 12,990
Liked 34,545 Times in 8,137 Posts
|
|
Old holsters like these were typically worn on a belt, with the holster tucked in the back right pants pocket. A lot of old trousers had buttons to secure the back pockets. Some had the buttons attached to the pants and button holes in the pockets. Those with pocket flaps had the buttons attached to the pockets. I’m sure some were also used in coats and jackets.
I have no idea who made yours, but the holster and backer stitching looks identical. I suspect it was originally made that way and I suspect that flap is intended to accept a button.
Here’s a couple of typical vintage pocket holsters. The first is a Folsom made for a 4” .38 revolver. It accepts a narrow belt and has a tab that can secure it to a pocket button. I suspect it was intended for uniform slacks with pocket flaps. Accessing the spare ammo and even releasing the retaining snap could prove a challenge under stress!
This one is a Lawrence #18 Pocket holster for a 1911. The belt loop is a lot wider and it fits nicely in the back pocket of a pair of jeans. If I worked a gun shop counter, this would be in my back pocket under a sweatshirt.
__________________
"I also cook."
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-08-2021, 03:20 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 8,002
Likes: 35,764
Liked 29,653 Times in 6,015 Posts
|
|
Ret-Det - I think the holster you showed was made to carry in back pocket.
The previous owner cut the belt loops so he could thread his belt through,
but probably still carried in back pocket. My guess would be the 38 meant
M&P and the 4 meant 4" barrel. Just a lot of guessing.
__________________
In Omnia Paratus
|
11-08-2021, 09:31 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
Liked 13 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
Thanks you guys.
Interesting thoughts and info.
I love this stuff.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-08-2021, 09:44 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 62
Likes: 66
Liked 79 Times in 36 Posts
|
|
I learned something
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
11-09-2021, 03:55 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: metro Phoenix
Posts: 3,205
Likes: 16,474
Liked 3,981 Times in 1,611 Posts
|
|
I seem to recall, quite a while back, reading about the old, old cops' (pre-WW II) uniforms having a button in the pocket to attach their holster. They didn't have the "duty rigs" of more modern cops and their gun, cuffs, club, etc., were not carried in any sort of uniform fashion. Police in colder climates had a means of accessing their guns while wearing those heavy uniform coats. One or two of the photos in this thread look a lot like those old holsters. Sorry, I don't remember much else about them.
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|