Flora Mason Van Orden's Chiefs Special & leather -- reunited

[two-bit cowboy]

Finally, after more than nine months, I've shot a few photos of the Berns-Martin holster turnerriver loaned me.

You see, John owns Flora Mason Van Orden's holster for her Chiefs Special, which S&W gave Flora in March 1951. Its serial number is 72. The finish is bright blue, common at the time for S&W's gifts to distributors and other special people.

John sent the holster to me late last summer so I could commission a photo shoot of her Chiefs Special with its original leather. Well, my photographer fell through, and I only have a phone, but I've tried to capture the scene the best I can.

In addition to Flora in the photo, which I received along with Flora's Chiefs Special, are Flora's husband, retired U.S. Marine Corps General George O. Van Orden (to whom S&W gave Chiefs Special s/n 70), and their son, also George O. Van Orden, later a U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. at the time of his untimely death in an auto accident.

The Van Ordens are pictured in front of their gun shop, Evaluators Limited in Quantico (or Triangle), Virginia. Undated.

John, thank you so very much for the loan. I'll return your holster the next time I'm at the post office in Lander -- later this week.

I had hoped to get a shot of Flora's Chiefs Special in the holster, but its opening is so snug I did not want to force it and take a chance on damaging such a priceless memento.

 

[Muley Gil]

What did the buckles attach to, a shoulder harness?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I do not know.

I hope John will see this and offer his very knowledgeable take.

 

[Kansasgunner]

The harness is cotton webbing and is in a figure 8 pattern. This holster is also marked for Evaluators LTD, but made for a 2" Military & Police. The holster is carried shoulder or on the belt (strongside or cross draw). The Berns Martin catalog calls this holster the "Lightnin" or Triple Draw.

 

[Green Frog]

Little known fact: Ian Fleming saw the name "Berns-Martin Holster" in some random place and planned for his hero James Bond to carry his Walther semi-Auto in one. Geoffrey Boothroyd had to explain to him that they only worked with revolvers so the spring clip could clasp. It was a shame too... Berns-Martin sounds so veddy British, doncha know.

Froggie

 

[MarkHayden]

I carried a Berns-Martin black basketweave holster for a M-28 and a M-19 for many years on the job. These were prior to the Hoyt holsters that became the rage in CA because of the more convenient strap. The great thing about the B-M holster was the steel band around the cylinder, making it difficult for a bad guy to take it from behind you. I still have the 6" K-frame holster, not having worn it for 35 years!

Mark

 

[gkitch]

Flora coined the name "Combat Masterpiece" for the 4" K-38s with Baughman Ramps Evaluators special ordered. She also named the "Highway Patrolman"...

 

[LPD256]

I just purchased from Crazyphil a two inch j-frame holster made by Heiser for Evaluators. The only photo I have is with another Heiser 4 inch. The two inch is a quick draw.

 

[handejector]

Flora's daughter, also named Flora, is a member here: Flora Van Orden

 

[kwill1911]

So is a grandson: Grandson of Evaluators Ltd.

 

[Walter Rego]

I lucked out and have two Smith & Wessons that shipped to Evaluators. The first one, A K-38 Masterpiece / pre-Model 14, I didn't know until I lettered it. And it also turned out to have been shipped just a month before my birthday. The other is an early Model 53. I knew where that one went as it has an Evaluators sticker on the box.

For the holster experts, isn't the Bianchi 9R their interpretation of the Berns Martin triple Draw ?

 

[turnerriver]

Bob, I was happy for you to have Flora's holster to photograph.

"For the holster experts, isn't the Bianchi 9R their interpretation of the Berns Martin triple Draw ?" The answer is yes-
John Bianchi bought the Berns-Martin Company ( mostly just trademarks) from the knife designer Blackie Collins and as shown put stickers inside the 9R holsters.

Here's a photo of Flora Van Orden set up for sales, possibly at Camp Perry. Note the Heiser and Berns-Martin signs and holsters on display.

 

[handejector]

John Bianchi bought the Berns-Martin Company ( mostly just trademarks) from the knife designer Blackie Collins and as shown put stickers inside the 9R holsters.

After they made the deal, Blackie was supposed to crate all the stuff up and ship it to John Bianchi. Blackie's story was that he did not get the last sewing machine (fairly valuable) crated up before the transport truck showed up. He was supposed to get it crated and ship it later. Mike S. told me the last time he saw John Bianchi, Mike asked him if Blackie ever shipped him the last sewing machine. Bianchi said "Hell, NO!"