Fun little backstory: I recently applied for, and received, my first three factory authentication letters. As it turned out, 2 of my old revolvers were shipped to the same place, Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. in Chicago, 1 in 1916 and 1 in 1920. I had never heard of them before, so did a little research, and learned that they had established the True Value hardware line, and subsequently sold that business to another Chicago business, Cotter & Company. Coincidentally, I have a 1960s Marlin .30-30 in my safe, sold under Cotter & Co.s Westpoint brand. Perhaps not earth-shattering, but still a fun coincidence.

That brings us to yesterday afternoon. Looking for something to entertain myself, I dug out a big sack of odds-'n-ends leather I've accumulated over the years, and there, amongst the miscellaneous Hunter and Lawrence and Bucheimer and stuff, was this little leather hip-pocket holster, obviously for a revolver, and marked Rev-O-Noc, with the numbers 2137, 22, and 3-1/2, which I always assumed were model number, caliber, and barrel length. I was about to stuff it back in the sack, when my old eyes were drawn to some small letters faintly stamped above the Rev-O-Noc, which, with a little help, I determined to read "HSB&Co". Really? Sure enough, a quick Google search confirmed that Rev-O-Noc was a proprietary brand of my new/old acquaintances at Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co.

IMG_5318.jpg

IMG_5317.jpg

Okay, finally some questions. I have on hand 3-1/2" revolvers on the M-frame, as well as a .32 DA and .38 Safety Hammerless top-breaks. The Ladysmith and .32 are much too small for a proper fit, and the .38 is just a bit too large. So, does anyone out there have any info about this holster? I haven't been able to find anything about the model, like year(s) of production and firearm fit.

Thanks for any help you might have, and for your forbearance with the long post. This is just so much fun!

__________________
Ain't This Fun Though?

For what it's worth, "Revonoc" or "Rev-O-Noc" is the name Conover spelled backwards,which was, I think, the name of the clever hardware merchant who originated it before it was acquired by HSB.

Very cool. FYI this pocket holster is by Wyeth, which made gunleather for mail-order catalogue companies either with no maker's mark, or with the company's maker's mark, or (rarely) with their own. The one of these I have in my files is marked Iver Johnson. These can be roughly dated by Wyeth's "term in office" which was 1880-1960, and the sewing which in this case is a harness machine so early 20th and later.

A Wyeth appears on eBay every single day, as a new auction. Rarely does the seller know its maker and then only when I've told them, which I do if they've dated it incorrectly (like thinking it's Civil War!). The image attached is 1922 and all the holsters are known Wyeths.

Attached Images

1922 (4).jpg (97.6 KB, 22 views)

__________________
Red Nichols The Holstorian

I have a 1914 HS&B catalog. It has a huge selection of guns. I believe it is a wholesale catalog, most anything you can think of, well over 2000 pages, like 4" thick. Many item prices are for a dozen or gross, I think they mainly supplied small local hardware stores back then. Even carried dynamite, fuse, blasting caps, etc. The only ammunition brand they distributed was Peters. And lots of it. Unbelievable number of shotshell variations available back then. Their house brand guns were named Rev-O-Noc. The catalog is a bit unusual for that time as it contains numerous full color plates printed on heavy slick paper.

Regarding your holster, one that looks very similar is described as "Stiff Back Pocket Holster, Double Leather, Double Stitched, Rich Brown Color, Highest Grade Workmanship, Especially Adapted for Police Use." It shows six different sizes, #2132 thru #2138. All are priced at around $13 per dozen. #2135 is for Colt Police Positive, Police Positive Special, and Army Special. #2136 is for Savage .32 automatics. #2137 (yours) is shown for "4" .38 S&W hand ejector." #2132 is for 3-1/2" .32 caliber revolvers, #2133 is for 3-1/2" .38 caliber revolvers. The latter two are probably for top break revolvers.

Regarding dating, I can say only that your holster appears in the 1914 HS&B catalog. People back then must have worn pants with huge and deep back pockets.

Thanks for the info, everyone. I knew I could count on the forum members to help me out!

__________________
Ain't This Fun Though?