Bruce Nelson Custom Leather

[Aircrewman]

Well, I have just committed to buy an original Bruce Nelson holster and magazine pouch for a Colt Government Model and 2 magazines. I am pretty excited about this. Mostly because, while I was knowledgeable about Bruce Nelson when he was alive and still producing leather goods, I never saw fit to buy his stuff, relying on Bianchi, Safariland, Milt Sparks, and Tex Shoemaker for my leather needs and Safety Speed for some other things related to duty equipment.

Well, BuffaloStar posted a "for sale" for a complete rig including the above items and a BN belt that I probably would not quite fit into. I wanted the belt but really didn't want to add something that wouldn't quite work. The holster and mag pouch will be fine. It's not that I need these items..... but, I WANT these items because I have not seen anything like them for sale on this forum before and very few, if any, on Ebay (unless I have just missed seeing them on Ebay). And, again, I never took the time to buy anything of his. And since he passed so long ago, I felt that I could not pass up this chance to get some of his signature leather made by him.

 

[rednichols]

Well, I have just committed to buy an original Bruce Nelson holster and magazine pouch for a Colt Government Model and 2 magazines. I am pretty excited about this. Mostly because, while I was knowledgeable about Bruce Nelson when he was alive and still producing leather goods, I never saw fit to buy his stuff, relying on Bianchi, Safariland, Milt Sparks, and Tex Shoemaker for my leather needs and Safety Speed for some other things related to duty equipment.

Well, BuffaloStar posted a "for sale" for a complete rig including the above items and a BN belt that I probably would not quite fit into. I wanted the belt but really didn't want to add something that wouldn't quite work. The holster and mag pouch will be fine. It's not that I need these items..... but, I WANT these items because I have not seen anything like them for sale on this forum before and very few, if any, on Ebay (unless I have just missed seeing them on Ebay). And, again, I never took the time to buy anything of his. And since he passed so long ago, I felt that I could not pass up this chance to get some of his signature leather made by him.

In the glorious tradition of this forum, no pics!

Bruce's earliest products featured this mark; the CLL stood for Combat Leather Ltd:



His final ones (after 1986 or so) featured this one:

 

[Baxter6551]

Red I saw them just after you grabbed or I sure would have done the same thing and ditto on the belt. Beautiful leather. Best of luck with it.

 

[Igiveup]

Where was his business located?

 

[Aircrewman]

I made a note that I would buy them. BuffaloStar hasn't responded. As soon as I have them, I will certainly post pics....!!!

 

[Aircrewman]

I will say that one of the items (the holster) shows the Bruce Nelson Combat Leather and the and pouch shows BNCL....

 

[crazyphil]

Igiveup - This may (or may not) answer your question.

 

[Igiveup]

crazyphil, thanks. I thought they may have been made in Scio, Or. I'll have to check my holster inventory. As a side note, I was in the Tucson Army Reserve back in 1971-72. For what it is worth. LOL

 

[SG-688]

Red and I have a hobby horse that we ride with the slightest encouragement.

Many inaccurately cite Bruce Nelson as carrying a .45 auto with his Summer Special holster in the forward-rake "appendix" position. In a 1980 magazine article, he showed that his "forward of hip" position was further forward on the hip than the FBI / kidney position - but he wore the muzzle to the rear, outside the leg rather than aimed at the male appendage.

I could go on -- but I'll stop.

I'll attach a picture of the rare Bianchi thumb break Nelson M&P holster briefly made in about 1969. Designed by Bruce in the Gaylord/Angel/Seventrees style and perhaps made by his own hands.

This picture of Bruce in 1989 wearing a hat from the California DOJ (he was an agent) is somehow often taken to be Tom Selleck when attending Gunsite.
.

 

[rednichols]

I will say that one of the items (the holster) shows the Bruce Nelson Combat Leather and the and pouch shows BNCL....

BNCL is the least common of Bruce's marks. I reckon it is from his earliest period, too, like CLL; which w/b California early '70s.

This then tells us your new set was not made as a set, but was put together from two eras (the full name spelled out is AZ beginning late '80s into early '90s when he died there).

 

[Aircrewman]

Thanks Red. You confirmed what I thought. It is a "set" but not built as a set. The remarkable thing about the holster and mag pouch is the resemblance to Milt Sparks' designs, especially the double mag pouch. Both are in plain brown finish. I will be really happy to receive them.

 

[rednichols]

Thanks Red. You confirmed what I thought. It is a "set" but not built as a set. The remarkable thing about the holster and mag pouch is the resemblance to Milt Sparks' designs, especially the double mag pouch. Both are in plain brown finish. I will be really happy to receive them.

Huh?! You already know that Milt's versions began as unauthorized copies of Bruce's originals, right and not the other way around?

All of Milt's products were copies of someone's. And the pouch you're mentioning began as an Andy Anderson in the '60s; Andy had a series of strokes early '70s and Milt swooped in with copies of Andy's sets to start up his own business.



I'm getting caustic again. Sorry. I just know too much about holstory, and where all the 'bodies are buried' . I knew all these folks back in the day.

 

[Moo Moo]

I'm getting caustic again. Sorry. I just know too much about holstory, and where all the 'bodies are buried' . I knew all these folks back in the day.

Good to see you back on the forum Red.

 

[SixgunFife]

Congrats on the new (to-you!) gear coming in, OP.

As many / most / all of you may know by now, Erik Little of Rafter-L Combat Leather started a sideline of sorts recreating the Bruce Nelson Combat Leather line of leather gear around 2019. This effort takes a backseat to his Rafter-L business so when it does become available it’s often in smaller lots that go quickly.

I’ve had this first-run (2019) Summer Special since late that year and it has become one of my favorite 1911 IWB holsters (tied with a TRS IWB from the Rafter-L line). Also shown is a Sparks S4C magazine pouch.

I’ll also try to post a link for Little’s BNCL revival. When those goods are available, he sells them through Heirloom Precision (Jason Burton), Milt Sparks, and / or Wilson Combat.

Edited to add: I’m having an issue posting the link; just Google “Bruce Nelson Combat Leather” or try “brucenelsonDOTcom.”

 

[chief38]

At the time Bruce was in the holster business, his designs and quality was at the top rung! I own a bunch of his holsters, including belts and ammo pouches as well. Sadly because he passed on early, he was not able to further his already great holster designs.

I have had more holsters over the last 45+ years than I could shake a stick at! I still have too many and will be selling some soon - some might be the BNCL.

 

[Aircrewman]

Red, I do realize that Milt Sparks did copy Nelson's designs as well as some others. Unfortunately, I don't have your knowledge and as ya know.... a little knowledge can be dangerous...!!

My comment was not written out in the way I was thinking it to be said. If that's not clear as a mud hole, I don't know what is. I have received the holster and mag pouch and as soon as I remember how to post pictures, I will. And I don't feel like you're being caustic.... and I was reviewing a copy of Bianchi's book a few days ago and saw your pic while you were at your workbench. And I realized that I am really aging....