Any Opinions on Vintage S&W Holsters?

loeman

loeman

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I hope this is an appropriate place for this thread.

Do any of you have an opinion or experience with the old 70s era S&W holsters? I didn't until now. Here's my story and my opinion.

A couple of weeks ago I was rooting through the used holster bin at a LGS when I came upon an old S&W holster marked model 21 34. It was all dried out and pretty rough looking but it looked like it could take a S&W K or L frame with a 4 or 5 inch barrel. Without knowing for sure I bought it anyway as the price was only $12.00. After getting it home, I was pleased to find my Model 681 with 4 inch barrel is a perfect fit with zero gun movement inside the holster.

So, after three or four inside and outside applications of Montana Pitch Blend leather dressing this old piece of leather really came back to life. The original color came back and leather became easily pliable. I've never owned one of these holsters and was very pleased with some its qualities. First, it is made of really heavy gauge leather. It's thick and unlined. The stitching is very heavy and neatly done. I also like the fold-over, snapping belt loop that is capable of going over a 2.25 inch gun belt. It has a very utilitarian look with no pretensions of beauty or style. However, it will be a perfect hiking and fishing holster for my 681 or 686. I'm always bumping up against rocks and trees causing marks on my more expensive "pretty" holsters. I can save them for the range and go beat this one up in the forest without feeling bad.

I thought some of you might like to know about these old S&W holsters. I don't know if you or I will be able to find any more of these for $12 but if you do, they are well worth the money for field use. Here's a couple of pics with my 681 no dash.





 
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You have put together a really good combination. I have one that I bought in 1975 for a 8 3/8 N frame. It fits my 6 inch 686 like a glove. (I know it doesn't sound right but it works) Still in great condition and it's seen some rough use. Great holsters made with quality leather. For 12 bucks yours was a steal. It should last you a long long time.
 
I acquired a S&W holster when I attended the S&W Academy in 1975. It was left handed for a 1911 (it may be the only one that ever existed). It served me well for many years but it was commandeered by my Son who is also a lefty. They are good quality holsters.
 
S&W had a leather plant in Lillington, NC, about 35 miles from me. It was sold, along with their chemical weapons division. The leather company became Gould and Goodrich and the chemical division became Def Tec. Gould and Goodrich, G&G, although recently sold to a new owner is still in business and makes good quality products. Being an NC Company my agency bought holsters from them for S&W revolvers, our Beretta 92F's and Sig Sauer P229 and P 239's.
 
Huge fan of vintage S&W leather. When I bought my 27-2 from a co-worker, I was given an old S&W Leather Company Catalog (#969). Dunno what year it's from, but the only semi-auto S&W pistol holsters available were for Mod 39, 41, and 52. I've got a "Sportsman" Model 21/34 for a 4" K frame, and two upside down holsters, 03/62 and 03/52. The quality is top notch, and it's nice to accessorize your vintage S&W firearm with a matching S&W holster. I dream of finding an "Off Duty" Model 02-23 for my 3-1/2" Model 27 one day.
 
WCCPHD said:
S&W had a leather plant in Lillington, NC, about 35 miles from me. It was sold, along with their chemical weapons division. The leather company became Gould and Goodrich and the chemical division became Def Tec. Gould and Goodrich, G&G, although recently sold to a new owner is still in business and makes good quality products. Being an NC Company my agency bought holsters from them for S&W revolvers, our Beretta 92F's and Sig Sauer P229 and P 239's.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that information. I'm from NC and did not know that.
 
Nice S&W holster Bill. I have one like yours that is marked
21 36, which fits my S&W pre model 17 K22 with a 6 inch
barrel perfectly. It's well made like yours. I'll send you a pic.:)
 
I really like those holsters, harder to find these days. And that's true of most old stuff that I like.
They came in basketweave too.

Mod 66
HPIM3193.jpg


GF
 
I've got one that my dad got with a 6 1/2" Model 29 about '82-83. I forget the model number but it is left handed and is apparently 'morph-able' because I don't think I have a handgun, revolver or semi that won't fit in it, except my 7.5" 1851 Navy. One of the finest holsters I've owned.
 
Every once in a while, I will see posted here on other forums old catalogs from S&W Leather or Bianchi, Safariland or J. M. Bucheimer. There are many designs that have been discontinued that would do well today. Elegant simplicity has a lot going for it. I am not a fan of these Level 3 holsters which have locks, nuts, bolts, mechanisms, etc. To me, a holster pouch attached to a belt hanger with hex screws is a bad idea. But, they seem to sell quite a lot of these unfortunate designs, most of which are too bulky, too heavy and not user friendly. I have NEVER met any police officer that could use a Level-Anything holster worth a hoot, and once I saw an officer who was completely unable to remove his newly issued auto from a Level 2 holster.

I love these older holster designs. They are much more elegant and useful than these glorified lock boxes that are now sold as duty holsters. There is one unfortunate design that requires the pistol be carried in Condition 3 with the slide out of battery, and the draw stroke charges the pistol. I cannot imagine what such a design is designed to do as the holstered pistol is safe. Upon withdraw, the pistol is round in and ready to go. Very odd design, if you ask me.
 
GF said:
I really like those holsters, harder to find these days. And that's true of most old stuff that I like.
They came in basketweave too.

Mod 66
HPIM3193.jpg


GF
Click to expand...

I've never cared for basket weave, but I sure like the pattern on that retention strap.
 
GF said:
I really like those holsters, harder to find these days. And that's true of most old stuff that I like.
Click to expand...

That's the thing for me. You see all these new holsters with their fancy doo-dads on 'em, tension screws and the like. I'm not saying they don't have a place...they do. And a lot of them exhibit excellent craftsmanship by individual makers.

But I've got a couple of old vintage seventies Safariland holsters for big single-actions, and a couple of vintage Lawrence holsters. These holsters are 30- and 40-years-old, but they're practical as all get out and properly cared for, will last another 30 years or more and look good doing it. They might be a bit scarred up, but I'm getting on up in years, so I'm a bit scarred up, myself. So me and those old holsters work together just fine.
 
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