Hi there SWCA forum friends
I recently bought on auction this beautiful pair of Heiser model 554 for K frame, I would like to combine them with my pre-war K revolvers, I would like you more experts to help me to know the correct dating.
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Marcello
Last edited by ENNE-FRAME; 02-13-2024 at 06:44 AM.
I would like to know the chronology of the Heiser's punch in the time, to better understand the dating of the holsters.
I'm also looking for a basket weave belt designed for a double holster, of the same Maker of course.
__________________
Marcello
Last edited by ENNE-FRAME; 12-08-2023 at 01:44 PM.
The 454 series of holsters first appears in my library in catalog number 30, first noted in 1937 according to the chart on page 104 in Holstory . Catalog number 20 does not list this holster. Note the catalog refers to the holster as a new style holster. As this cut from the 1930 catalog shows the straps were first secured with the pre-war brass and enamel three H snaps. Catalog number 32 ( sighted 1939 according to Holstory ) shows the holster with strap buckles as your examples have. Regarding dating the holsters, the three H brass and enamel snaps were used up into the 1940’s-the first catalog to show the new brown enamel snaps is number 38, first seen in 1946 according to the chart in Holstory although my experience indicates the three H snaps were phased out prior to that.
Regards,
Wish I knew more about them myself. I’ve studied all I can find about him and his businesses. My last name is Heiser. May be a long lost relative. Never traced my family tree.
Regarding dating the holsters, the three H brass and enamel snaps were used up into the 1940’s-the first catalog to show the new brown enamel snaps is number 38, first seen in 1946 according to the chart in Holstory although my experience indicates the three H snaps were phased out prior to that.
Regards,
Of course Heiser used its existing images until forced into taking new ones. A.H. Hardy even used Heiser's images in his catalogs, Heiser snaps and all! So old images in new catalogues abound there, and don't mean that's how the holsters were turned out that year.
Big thing worth knowing: the engraved snaps are of the old 'glove' style, and the later snaps are of the large 'dot' style. None of the four parts each of these two types are interchangeable.
The Dot style we see every day on late 20th century holsters and any made in the 21st, too. The Dot type was introduced about the start of WW2 so the gunleather can be dated thereby.
That flap 'holster' is a Heiser from the late 1940s, the other is a shoulder holster by Arth who was early in the 20th century. Notice the big difference in the male and female parts that click together, on each.
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Red Nichols The Holstorian
Last edited by rednichols; 12-09-2023 at 03:33 AM.
Of course Heiser used its existing images until forced into taking new ones. A.H. Hardy even used Heiser's images in his catalogs, Heiser snaps and all! So old images in new catalogues abound there, and don't mean that's how the holsters were turned out that year.
Big thing worth knowing: the engraved snaps are of the old 'glove' style, and the later snaps are of the large 'dot' style. None of the four parts each of these two types are interchangeable.
The Dot style we see every day on late 20th century holsters and any made in the 21st, too. The Dot type was introduced about the start of WW2 so the gunleather can be dated thereby.
That flap 'holster' is a Heiser from the late 1940s, the other is a shoulder holster by Arth who was early in the 20th century. Notice the big difference in the male and female parts that click together, on each.
Interesting, so, to better understand, you and "turnerriver" assert that the right way to dating the cotrrect age of the Heiser holsters is to know the progress in the hardware, the chronology of the supply of snaps and theirs evolution in the times and not the style of the punches as usually need in other manufact.
Doing a cross-checking with the appearance in a determinate catalog of said holster, but this is not always a reliable fact.
Therefore the inclusion of a new holster in the catalog marks its birth, the real production date can be deduced from the hardware used on it.
As we can see in the page of the N°30 catalog of the 1937 the external face of the snaps are the same of the snaps of my holsters, so they may been are product from that date onwards
__________________
Marcello
Last edited by ENNE-FRAME; 12-09-2023 at 08:35 AM.
Interesting, so, to better understand, you and "turnerriver" assert that the right way to dating the cotrrect age of the Heiser holsters is to know the progress in the hardware, the chronology of the supply of snaps and theirs evolution in the times and not the style of the punches as usually need in other manufact.
Doing a cross-checking with the appearance in a determinate catalog of said holster, but this is not always a reliable fact.
Therefore the inclusion of a new holster in the catalog marks its birth, the real production date can be deduced from the hardware used on it.
As we can see in the page of the N°30 catalog of the 1937 the external face of the snaps are the same of the snaps of my holsters, so they may been are product from that date onwards
Not quite. The engraved snap was used from origin, until WW2. Either the company ran out or was forced to resupply. Realize also that brass was not permitted for use outside of ammunition; indeed, during WW2 gunleather could not even be sold to civilians! According to a flyer issued by Lawrence. The enameled snap buttons therefore are likely steel (haven't test this). Then Heiser was promptly sold at the very end of the War, to major retailer The Denver Dry Goods; then dumped in '50 when Ewald Heiser was killed in a car accident in '49. Owned thereafter by Keyston Bros who used it to make toy holsters for little cowboys (huge biz in the '50s). All over then Bond and the like took over the '60s.
They are dated when you open them, the earlies known of each era. So one can tell when a holster was introduced, when it stopped appearing, from catalogues. Not much more. Turnerrive has the only complete collection of Heiser catalogues in the world while I have only clips from them.
Searching I found photos of a 454 without strap, a 754 with strap and enameled snap button on cartridge belt and another one like in the catalog without strap
__________________
Marcello
Last edited by ENNE-FRAME; 01-04-2024 at 11:27 AM.
Hi there SWCA forum friends
I recently bought on auction this beautiful pair of Heiser model 554 for K frame, I would like to combine them with my pre-war K revolvers, I would like you more experts to help me to know the correct dating.
Great Scot, we are having some superb basketweave holsters shown on the forum lately! These 2 are really, really nice. And for the black enamel to still be complete on the snaps is awesome. That seems to wear pretty quickly with use.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ENNE-FRAME
I would like to know the chronology of the Heiser's punch in the time, to better understand the dating of the holsters. I'm also looking for a basket weave belt designed for a double holster, of the same Maker of course.
That might be much easier said than done, especially in the condition of the holsters! I would think finding a Heiser Basketweave Belt designed for 2 holsters, in the same condition as your holsters, and that is sized to fit you, might be a tough task. But, you were lucky enough to find the 2 excellent conditioned holsters, so you never know. Good luck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by turnerriver
The 454 series of holsters first appears in my library in catalog number 30, first noted in 1937 according to the chart on page 104 in Holstory . Catalog number 20 does not list this holster. Note the catalog refers to the holster as a new style holster. As this cut from the 1930 catalog shows the straps were first secured with the pre-war brass and enamel three H snaps. Catalog number 32 ( sighted 1939 according to Holstory ) shows the holster with strap buckles as your examples have. Regarding dating the holsters, the three H brass and enamel snaps were used up into the 1940’s-the first catalog to show the new brown enamel snaps is number 38, first seen in 1946 according to the chart in Holstory although my experience indicates the three H snaps were phased out prior to that.
Regards,
John, I don’t think I have ever seen one of these in the wild before. I sure would like to though!
Larry
H. H. Heiser 454-554-754 dating
Linear Mode
