Eubanks Leather and Fred Mueller

[boykinlp]

I have been "collecting" holsters for a few years. I concentrated on the big three (Heiser, Myres, and Lawrence). But, after drooling over other makers on this section of the forum, I decided to branch out a bit. The last four holsters I obtained fit this bill. The first two were a Colorado Saddlery and an Oliver Ball that I have already shown here. The last two were a Eubanks Leather and a Fred Mueller Saddlery and Harness Company.

I bought the Eubanks holster because the O. Ball holster that was supposed to fit my Pre-Model 10 did not. It was for a Colt Detective Special only. This Eubanks holster is marked M&P with a number 7 and a number 2. I think that means it is a model 7 and fit a M&P with a two inch barrel. When what I have researched on this holster, it has the early maker's mark that was used from 1939-50. If that is correct, it is a perfect holster for my 1949 Pre-Model 10, even though I don't think it will ever go in the holster. It also has a weird symbol on the back of the holster. I don't know if it is a Eubanks symbol or something else. Maybe someone here knows. The only thing that would have made this holster better, to me, is if it was floral carved. The first 2 pictures are of this holster.

The second holster is a Fred Mueller Saddlery and Harness Company holster. I have not seen many of these. It may be older than the Eubanks holster. The company opened in 1891 and the name was changed to Fred Mueller Saddles & Ranchwear in 1917 when Mueller sold the company to his employees. Mueller died in 1924. In my opinion, this holster is very high quality and the floral carving is excellent and it has a tie down? It is a Model 449. Maybe someone here has an old Mueller catalog and can tell me what gun it was made for. If not, maybe turnerriver can shed some light on it. The last 3 pictures are of this holster.

 

[lawandorder]

The symbol may be a brand.

 

[-db-]

The symbol may be a brand.

This was my guess as well when I saw it on the auction site.

Or someone really liked Pepsi...

 

[SAFireman]

Those are just dandy!

And Law&Order is correct, that does look like a brand, but it was done after the leather was tanned and finished - and maybe even got a bit of sealer and/or black dye over the top.

 

[crazyphil]

I have been "collecting" holsters for a few years. I concentrated on the big three (Heiser, Myres, and Lawrence). But, after drooling over other makers on this section of the forum, I decided to branch out a bit. The last four holsters I obtained fit this bill. The first two were a Colorado Saddlery and an Oliver Ball that I have already shown here. The last two were a Eubanks Leather and a Fred Mueller Saddlery and Harness Company.

I bought the Eubanks holster because the O. Ball holster that was supposed to fit my Pre-Model 10 did not. It was for a Colt Detective Special only. This Eubanks holster is marked M&P with a number 7 and a number 2. I think that means it is a model 7 and fit a M&P with a two inch barrel. When what I have researched on this holster, it has the early maker's mark that was used from 1939-50. If that is correct, it is a perfect holster for my 1949 Pre-Model 10, even though I don't think it will ever go in the holster. It also has a weird symbol on the back of the holster. I don't know if it is a Eubanks symbol or something else. Maybe someone here knows. The only thing that would have made this holster better, to me, is if it was floral carved. Here is the holster:






The second holster is a Fred Mueller Saddlery and Harness Company holster. I have not seen many of these. It may be older than the Eubanks holster. The company opened in 1891 and the name was changed to Fred Mueller Saddles & Ranchwear in 1917 when Mueller sold the company to his employees. Mueller died in 1924. In my opinion, this holster is very high quality and the floral carving is excellent and it has a tie down? It is a Model 449. Maybe someone here has an old Mueller catalog and can tell me what gun it was made for. If not, maybe turnerriver can shed some light on it. Here is the holster:

That first little holster is an original Eubanks. He sold in 1949
so it would have been made prior to or in 1949. I agree with
L&O. That is probably a brand of a previous owner.

 

[boykinlp]

The symbol may be a brand.

Never thought of that, but makes perfect sense.

 

[boykinlp]

crazyphil,
I think I remember you had a very similar holster, but was from when Pioneer was added to the Eubanks name. Do you happen to have a picture of the back of that holster?

 

[crazyphil]

Sure. Here starting at the top and going clockwise:
Orignial Eubanks. 1939-1949
The Pioneer Company
Eubanks Pioneer Leather (Pioneer Tent & Awning ownership)
The Eubanks Pioneer is similar to yours except it was made
for larger snub nosed revolver. I carry my Colt's Agent in it.
Idaho Leather (When Mr. Eubanks went back into business after
the 5 year non-compete covenant expired.

 

[rednichols]

The Mueller holster has Heiser written all over it. Here's theirs:





I see where you got your info from and see there that the shop continued until 1957. Heiser's introduction of it is 1939 which then suggests that the Mueller was made after his death.

 

[boykinlp]

The Mueller holster has Heiser written all over it. Here's theirs:

View attachment 289319

View attachment 289320

I see where you got your info from and see there that the shop continued until 1957. Heiser's introduction of it is 1939 which then suggests that the Mueller was made after his death.

I also remember reading that Heiser was in the same town at the same time, so it would not surprise me if they copied Heiser. The only difference I see from the Heiser catalog is that Heiser apparently did not offer it with the rawhide lacing.

Red, you don't happen to have a Mueller catalog, do you?

 

[rednichols]

I also remember reading that Heiser was in the same town at the same time, so it would not surprise me if they copied Heiser. The only difference I see from the Heiser catalog is that Heiser apparently did not offer it with the rawhide lacing.

Red, you don't happen to have a Mueller catalog, do you?

Nope, I'd not heard of him before now. They were all saddlers in those days and usually didn't print catalogues; too expensive. These were not well-off people, certainly not after the automobile cratered demand for saddlery. I recently read an newspaper interview of Fred Ohlemeyer (b. 1901) who was retiring in his late 60s, and he said that although he worked for Myres and others he was always broke and made his own equipment because he couldn't buy it. He lived another 30 years! Including working at the modern El Paso Saddlery in his late 70s (no relation to the original).

The rawhide lacing you realise was an extra-cost option; here's a different Heiser image with the lacing:

 

[BC38]

I have a non-basketweave, J-frame version of your snubby holster...

 

[boykinlp]

Nope, I'd not heard of him before now. They were all saddlers in those days and usually didn't print catalogues; too expensive. These were not well-off people, certainly not after the automobile cratered demand for saddlery.

Red,
While researching Mueller, I saw that some of his catalogs had been offered for sale over the years. Somebody even offers one on CD. I am just too cheap to buy one now. Kinda hoping someone here might have one. Here are some links:

Fred Mueller Saddle and Harness Company Catalog No. 54, 1928

Fred Mueller Saddle & Harness Co. Catalog No. 75 1936

Fred Mueller Catalog #82 - 1943 : Old West Gun Leather, Historic Gun Leather, Vintage Gun Holsters | VintageGunLeather.com

1923-1924 Fred Mueller Saddle and Harness Catalog

Maybe turnerriver has one.

 

[crazyphil]

CORRECTION TO MY POST #8
I said mine was larger, but actually it is about the same size.
I remember my snub model 10 fit in it OK, but I adjusted the
strap so I could carry the Colt Agent in it. Shown here.

 

[rednichols]

Red,
While researching Mueller, I saw that some of his catalogs had been offered for sale over the years. Somebody even offers one on CD. I am just too cheap to buy one now. Kinda hoping someone here might have one. Here are some links:

Fred Mueller Saddle and Harness Company Catalog No. 54, 1928

Fred Mueller Saddle & Harness Co. Catalog No. 75 1936

Fred Mueller Catalog #82 - 1943 : Old West Gun Leather, Historic Gun Leather, Vintage Gun Holsters | VintageGunLeather.com

1923-1924 Fred Mueller Saddle and Harness Catalog

Maybe turnerriver has one.

The download versions are ten bucks! You ARE cheap

 

[boykinlp]

The download versions are ten bucks! You ARE cheap

I may splurge on the downloadable version, but I prefer the original paper version. The main problem is I don't know what year catalog to get in order to find my model number (449) holster in it!

 

[rednichols]

I may splurge on the downloadable version, but I prefer the original paper version. The main problem is I don't know what year catalog to get in order to find my model number (449) holster in it!

Of those choices, 1943 of course, given that your holster appears to be a copy of the Heiser introduced 1939 (as mentioned).

 

[turnerriver]

I've been tied up getting back and settled in from the SWCA symposium. I believe I have a Fred Mueller catalog and will try to find it. Your holster was pretty clearly made for a Colt SAA as the ejector rod housing made a prominent bulge. I've had several Fred Mueller holsters and have found them to be of Heiser quality but I'm not convinced that Heiser made them. The Mueller concern was a large and long lived one, they had a retail store and a going catalog business as well. I'll see what I can dig up.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[rednichols]

I've been tied up getting back and settled in from the SWCA symposium. I believe I have a Fred Mueller catalog and will try to find it. Your holster was pretty clearly made for a Colt SAA as the ejector rod housing made a prominent bulge. I've had several Fred Mueller holsters and have found them to be of Heiser quality but I'm not convinced that Heiser made them. The Mueller concern was a large and long lived one, they had a retail store and a going catalog business as well. I'll see what I can dig up.
Regards,
turnerriver

I don't see any suggestions in this thread that Heiser actually made this Mueller holster . But that it's a copy of a holster by a popular maker of the era: Heiser.

 

[rednichols]

I would love to see a pic of the inside of the Mueller, showing the welt area (laced holsters normally don't have a leather welt inside the seam though) and the moulding of the holster body around it?