"Berns Martin "Lightnin' Triple Draw holster. Three purpose shoulder type holster designed for safe, split second draw. Can be worn on right hip for normal draw or forward at left hip for cross draw or can be used muzzle up on the shoulder holster. Has a tempered steel spring which firmly clamps gun in place. For quickdraw just snatch and twist." (Perhaps most famous for it's erroneous mention in Ian Flemings' James Bond novels.)
A few years ago I listed this (first 2 photos) Simms Hardware marked shoulder holster for sale and claimed it was a "Lightnin' Triple Draw holster" made by Berns-Martin for Simms. Simms Hardware didn't manufacture any holsters but rather contracted with makers like A.E. Nelson and others to procure their holsters with the Simms Hardware name on them.
I promply received a message from a fellow that stated that he had worked for Berns-Martin and that the rig I listed was not Berns-Martin. I replied explaining why I believed it was, and after a bit more communication, he said he had changed his mind and now believed that it was made by Berns-Martin for Simms. And then he bought it!
I wish I had saved the messages.
Now behold another "Lightnin' Triple Draw holster" (second 2 photos) in bad shape marked "EIG CUTLERY GERMANY". The name EIG comes from Saul Eig, whose Dade County, Florida business was known as EIG Cutlery, because he originally imported and sold knives from Germany. Eig's import business expanded into firearms at some point, specializing in cheap guns - often derringers or pocket semiautos from Italy and Japan and EIG also sold a number inexpensive holsters, and then... apparently EIG contracted with Berns-Martin to make the Lightnin' holster for EIG Cutlery as well.
It has had the shoulder strap buckles and leather removed and is in poor condition, but I do maintain it was also made by Berns-Martin for EIG.
A few years ago I listed this (first 2 photos) Simms Hardware marked shoulder holster for sale and claimed it was a "Lightnin' Triple Draw holster" made by Berns-Martin for Simms. Simms Hardware didn't manufacture any holsters but rather contracted with makers like A.E. Nelson and others to procure their holsters with the Simms Hardware name on them.
I promply received a message from a fellow that stated that he had worked for Berns-Martin and that the rig I listed was not Berns-Martin. I replied explaining why I believed it was, and after a bit more communication, he said he had changed his mind and now believed that it was made by Berns-Martin for Simms. And then he bought it!
I wish I had saved the messages.
Now behold another "Lightnin' Triple Draw holster" (second 2 photos) in bad shape marked "EIG CUTLERY GERMANY". The name EIG comes from Saul Eig, whose Dade County, Florida business was known as EIG Cutlery, because he originally imported and sold knives from Germany. Eig's import business expanded into firearms at some point, specializing in cheap guns - often derringers or pocket semiautos from Italy and Japan and EIG also sold a number inexpensive holsters, and then... apparently EIG contracted with Berns-Martin to make the Lightnin' holster for EIG Cutlery as well.
It has had the shoulder strap buckles and leather removed and is in poor condition, but I do maintain it was also made by Berns-Martin for EIG.
