I have three older Don Hume holsters with model numbers that didn't show in a search of the forum. Would like to know more about their vintage and any additional information.




H700, stamped "Don Hume Leathergood" with a revolver.
H720, stamped "Don Hume Maker, Miami Okla" in oval
H738, stamped "Don Hume" in script,"Miami Okla" below.

All have a thumb break.
Only the H700 has some felt? covering the inside of the snap.
Only the H738 partially covers the trigger guard, and has the offset belt loop for jackets.

The H720 3-2 has a small leather paddle that this advert posted by @SG-688 calls "open loop".

Was this meant for the belt, in contrast to the wide paddle, which intended to tuck in the clothing?
(Early Hume wide paddle example posted here.)

Attached Images

	Don_Hume_3out.jpg (114.7 KB, 235 views)
	Don_Hume_3in.jpg (119.0 KB, 240 views)
	Don_Hume_3rear.jpg (113.9 KB, 19 views)

All coexist in your image, for course, but were introduced at different times. The 'paddle' holster is a '60s concept that all makers used and the earliest version was conceived by Myres in the 1940s (called the Barton Special). Some makers still use that wedge on the end of such a paddle even today but it was never a good design; long replaced by injection moulded paddles.

The wedge is intended to go inside the pants but press up through the waistband beneath the belt, then making the width of the belt less significant. In the '60s, for example, belts were only about an inch wide. Using the paddle as if it were a 'free' belt loop then encourages the belt to fit the gap; in your case sider such as 1.5" and 1.75", which came to the fore in the 1970s, although such gunmen as Jelly Bryce chose belt holsters with too-wide tunnels to allow the holster to rock between 'static' and 'DRAW!'.

The break front by Hume is despite his '70s interview in which he vowed never to make such 'gadget' holsters. The era forced him to change his mind or lose his market.

__________________
Red Nichols The Holstorian

Thank you Mr. Nichols. No break fronts or spring holsters in this group.
We're losing light to photograph today but here's another view from my files of the H738that shows the front a little better.

It did have a barrel bolt from front to back (behind the barrel) and another on the belt loop presumably for adding tension. I'll say this M&P Victory is quite snug in the holster pocket.

Attached Images

Hume_H738_0804r.jpg (59.1 KB, 47 views)

My error, I viewed the thread first on my phone, then saw only the belt loop on the backside view; which loops were created for breakfronts. Don did eventually offer such wo I conflated the two, incorrectly.

Attached Images

	humes (7).jpg (70.9 KB, 25 views)
	humes (8).jpg (53.7 KB, 24 views)

__________________
Red Nichols The Holstorian

H738 SH is the "Tiger" holster made for auto pistols and revolvers. Early versions didn't have the tension adjustment at the bottom. Essentially a copy of the Blocker and Davis vertical police holsters from the mid 1980's, when I bought one, and still in the 2010 catalog that is the latest I've saved as a digital copy. (I'd have to dig in a file cabinet for others.)

H720 in the 2010 catalog has a modern paddle, as Red suggests. Not in my digital catalogs, but I'd infer late 1970's to late 1980's. In 1976, the H719 is the same holster with a fixed "regular" belt loop.

In 1963, the H720 was the Tom Threepersons with coat protector -- dog ear hammer guard, in recent parlance, with H701 the regular Tom Threepersons with strap.

The H700 is the Tom Threepersons with thumb break in 1976 while the H701 is again the regular Tom Threepersons with strap. Neither exist in 2010, but the 700 appears to have been replaced with the similar H727.

From the fit codes, #1 is a S&W K frame or similar Ruger Security Six while #3 is a Chief Special or similar frame size.

Strange that the same number would be used for a different holster. I'm sure there was rationalle - even if it was only that new managment had new method. Be interesting if someone turns up an H720 of the same era for a mid or large revolver.


I'm assuming the oval 'Maker' logo is the earliest of this group as its the same design as the LaMesa Calif oval.



From catalog covers and advertisements, it looks like Hume may have been doing business as Don Hume Leathergoods as early as '74? But that doesn't mean the stamp was changed.
If we knew when the stamp was changed to 'Leathergoods' we could down the time frame.


Ps. I tried the "open loop" with an 1.5" work belt (possibly made by DH) both in and out of heavy jeans. It holds well and no movement.

Don, one the many holster company founders I knew, used many stamps for his products over the years. His operation was always known as Don Hume Leathergoods, from his first catalogue in 1959 that uses his home address (!).

Here are the marks I have for him, their dates are noted in their image titles. Much is made of his association with the Jordan holster tut Bill's prototype was made by a small saddler in TX first, then it was made by Sam Myres and Sam himself died, then Jordan was persuaded by the nearby LEO Don to let him make it. The Jordan trademark was owned by Bill not by the makers.

Attached Images

	1959 la mesa (1).jpg (70.8 KB, 23 views)
	1963 miami (1).jpg (141.7 KB, 23 views)
	1982 thumbsnap (2).jpg (212.5 KB, 23 views)

__________________
Red Nichols The Holstorian

Here's another Don Hume stamped in script. This time colored in, perhaps because of the material.


It's an H720 3-3. Construction changes from the earlier 720 in the firstr post are: wider shaped paddle that is much longer, which is attached to the holster with torx-drive button heads. The holster shape completely covers the trigger, although much of the guard remains exposed. The sight channel is strongly molded and in my opinon the holster leather seems slightly stiffer.

Attached Images

	Don_Hume_H720_3-3_back.jpg (135.9 KB, 77 views)
	Don_Hume_H720_3-3_front.jpg (104.2 KB, 77 views)