Different carving on a Hunter Holster?

[needsmostuff]

Not having seen many carved Hunters I may be mistaken.
But this seems a little different from the normal Floral designs. Seems like more ferns than flowers.
Maybe a non-issue but interested in how it strikes them that know such things. Still trying to pin down the 55L with my limited resources but it seems to be a 4 3/4" single action.






All opinions welcome.

 

[GypsmJim]

Hunter's web site has links to vintage holsters and their 1980 catalog. The 55L is listed.

I have an early 1950's embossed holster for a pre-27 and it has similar tooling, but not exactly the same. Mine is clearly a Hunter, but it has no model or size number.

They currently don't offer a wide selection of emboosed holsters, but one of their slings looks almost exactly like yours.


https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0078/9915/2465/files/1980_Holster_Size_Chart.pdf?v=1598549496

 

[wheelgun610]

That's not too different than the type of carving seen on Heiser's from their later production years. I don't have a clue about Hunter's model numbering, but there are several similar style holsters from a few other makers. Most of what I've seen in that style are good fits for either K or N frames. Because of the ejector rod housing on the barrrels, that style of holster isn't a good choice for single action revolvers. It would take a lot of twisting of the gun to get it in and out of a spring style holster. I found that out by trial and error when I tried using a Bianchi X-15 for a Ruger SBH years ago.

Mark

 

[rednichols]

Not having seen many carved Hunters I may be mistaken.
But this seems a little different from the normal Floral designs. Seems like more ferns than flowers.
Maybe a non-issue but interested in how it strikes them that know such things. Still trying to pin down the 55L with my limited resources but it seems to be a 4 3/4" single action.






All opinions welcome.

My copy of the Hunter 1958 catalog (I looked no further) states that their 55L is/was for "all 5" revolvers on 44/45 frames". In the lingo of the times, "44/45 frames" meant "N frame DA revolvers, Colt and S&W".

The 'carving' in this case isn't carving at all, per se. Only the stems have been cut in with a swivel knife (this is the carving part) and every other impression was made with an individual hand stamp; including the curved edges of the petals, for example. In this they were following Heiser under Keyston Bros since 1950, for their 'economy' versions. Much cheaper to produce, faster, and required far less skill/instruction.

These men were called 'engravers' in that time; I have an obituary of one such man who worked for all three (Heiser, Colorado Saddlery, Hunter) not least because the companies were founded in that order; and Hunter since '52 was the name that CS applied to its gunleather line.

 

[GypsmJim]

My copy of the Hunter 1958 catalog (I looked no further) states that their 55L is/was for "all 5" revolvers on 44/45 frames". In the lingo of the times, "44/45 frames" meant "N frame DA revolvers, Colt and S&W".

The 1980 catalog I referenced above showed 55L for Dakota and Great Western single action revolvers. I didn't scan all the pages, so there may have been others as well.

 

[wheelgun610]

Here's one of the later Heisers with similar tooling. By the time this one was made, the model numbering system were also much different from earlier Heisers.

Mark

 

[needsmostuff]

.

The 'carving' in this case isn't carving at all, per se. Only the stems have been cut in with a swivel knife (this is the carving part) and every other impression was made with an individual hand stamp; including the curved edges of the petals, for example.

Can't say I ever made this distinction before, but now that you point it out it is quite obvious.
Just starting my journey appreciating worked leather and this lesson has sharpened my eye. Thanks