I collect Abercrombie and Fitch marked gun leather and had identified and acquired 4 makers until recently. I just received this Bianchi model 5B with a sticker on the bag identifying it as a presentation grade holster made expressly for A&F. I sent a couple of photos to Red Nichols who told me it was made around 1969-70. Abercrombie and Fitch sporting goods went out of business in 1977.
The makers I knew about before running across this Bianchi are Heiser, Colorado Saddlery, Lawrence and A. E. Nelson. Here are some photos of the makers' products and stamps.
The Bianchi holster itself is regrettably not stamped, just the bag identifies it as an A&F sold holster.
This Heiser holster for a .45 Auto has both stamps.
A Colorado Saddlery holster for a 6" M&P.
A Lawrence model 25 L holster for a 3 1/2" .357 Magnum. This holster was made after WW II and before 1963.
An A.E. Nelson shotgun shell box holster made for Abercrombie and Fitch.
I've also seen some inexpensive hardware store type holsters with VL&A markings that were made by Redhead before WW II and there may well be other makers. Let us know if you know of any.
Regards,
turnerriver
The makers I knew about before running across this Bianchi are Heiser, Colorado Saddlery, Lawrence and A. E. Nelson. Here are some photos of the makers' products and stamps.
The Bianchi holster itself is regrettably not stamped, just the bag identifies it as an A&F sold holster.
This Heiser holster for a .45 Auto has both stamps.
A Colorado Saddlery holster for a 6" M&P.
A Lawrence model 25 L holster for a 3 1/2" .357 Magnum. This holster was made after WW II and before 1963.
An A.E. Nelson shotgun shell box holster made for Abercrombie and Fitch.
I've also seen some inexpensive hardware store type holsters with VL&A markings that were made by Redhead before WW II and there may well be other makers. Let us know if you know of any.
Regards,
turnerriver
