Heiser Model 85-11

[boykinlp]

IIRC, my buddies fat tom and crsides both had very nice vintage gun rugs. I think they were both made by Colorado Saddlery Company, and I used to drool when they showed them to me! They were really nice and had a Heiser look to them, which makes sense since Colorado Saddlery Company was started by former Heiser employees in 1945. I had had my eye out for a vintage leather gun rug for years, but never saw one for sale.

As it happens sometimes, luck was on my side. Not only did I find one, but one made by the HH Heiser Saddlery Company in Denver, Colorado. I believe that floral hand carved Heiser Model 85-11 gun rugs are extremely rare, and think this one is gorgeous! It is HUGE! The inside measurements are approximately 15.5" x 6". It was definitely custom ordered with the name (BRITT) carved on the bend, but I don’t believe it detracts from appearance or value, since I decided to change my last name to Britt. I love the floral carving on both sides! The lining looks like new, and the heavy brass zipper works great. This pistol rug is a great piece of early western Americana. The seller thought it was made in the 1920-30's, but I think it was later. It may be blasphemous, but I put my Ruger Redhawk, with a 7 1/2” barrel in it to show just how big the case is.
Larry

 

[Papa Lee]

Very nice, and very few have been seen.

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Hi Britt, I'm very envious of your beautiful purchase, I'm looking for it too, I'd love to find it basketweave stamped.
Just kidding, Larry well done!

 

[boykinlp]

BTW, if you have a vintage gun rug, please post it, I’d love to see them. I tried to find where fat tom and crsides had posted pictures of theirs, but for some reason I can’t figure out the correct search to find them. Of course, I could be completely wrong and they showed them to me in person instead of here.
Larry

 

[rednichols]

That Heiser mark was used from the 1920s all the way through to 'end of days' for the company itself which was 1968 while owned by Keyston Bros. I reckon the other markings are better for dating and turnerriver will know best how to do this.

'tis gorgeous! There's that sheepswool again, that folks ask for from time to time. I like it best when the gun itself is well-oiled, which then transfers to the bark tanned sheepswool to protect the one from the other.

 

[boykinlp]

That Heiser mark was used from the 1920s all the way through to 'end of days' for the company itself which was 1968 while owned by Keyston Bros. I reckon the other markings are better for dating and turnerriver will know best how to do this.

'tis gorgeous! There's that sheepswool again, that folks ask for from time to time. I like it best when the gun itself is well-oiled, which then transfers to the bark tanned sheepswool to protect the one from the other.

Red, to me, the only thing that would have made this gun rug better was if it was early enough to have the “triple H” rivets that I like so much! We’ll see what John says. He may have a vintage one, and/or remember which one fat tom and crsides had.
Larry

 

[turnerriver]

Lee is right, maker marked gun rugs are few and far between. That’s an outstanding find. Red of course is right as well, no way to date that rug. I’m away from home and catalogs, my Colorado Saddlery rug is obviously post-war manufacture.
I’ve only found a few over many years of collecting. This one is a Colorado Saddlery rug.

Regards,

 

[boykinlp]

Lee is right, maker marked gun rugs are few and far between. That’s an outstanding find. Red of course is right as well, no way to date that rug. I’m away from home and catalogs, my Colorado Saddlery rug is obviously post-war manufacture.
I’ve only found a few over many years of collecting. This one is a Colorado Saddlery rug.

Regards,

John, thanks for showing yours! I have a few questions for you. Does yours have the floral carving on both sides? What type of padding does it have, sheepswool or something else? Why do you suppose that Maker Marked rugs are few and far between? Do you think they were poor sellers, so not very many were actually made?

I look forward to seeing what you find in your catalog library. Thanks.
Larry

 

[bruce5781]

It's a beauty, Larry. Color me envious.

 

[Onomea]

That's a lovely rug, your Heiser.

Not sure how vintage this no-name one is. Had white paint spots on it from someone leaving it out while painting that I was able to scrape off with a fingernail so it has been around. No markings:







It is quite small so not very practical. (That Woodsman Sport is about as large as it will accommodate.) Very stiff. I think the lining is synthetic.

 

[turnerriver]

Larry, the Colorado Saddlery rug is carved on both sides and is wool lined.
I have 2 Heiser model 85 gun rugs, one brown and one black, both are plain and lined with sheepswool as well. I can't find a photo unfortunately .
I have one other, this S.D. Myres rug. Carved on one side and also wool lined.
I think we don't see that many for the same reason that I don't buy currently produced high end rugs- they're expensive !

regards,

 

[turnerriver]

Found them. It looks like one is a model 85 and one a model 86.

 

[boykinlp]

That's a lovely rug, your Heiser.

Not sure how vintage this no-name one is. Had white paint spots on it from someone leaving it out while painting that I was able to scrape off with a fingernail so it has been around. No markings:







It is quite small so not very practical. (That Woodsman Sport is about as large as it will accommodate.) Very stiff. I think the lining is synthetic.

Onomea, I think that one is very nice, and the Woodsman Sport looks like a gem too. The maker was pretty smart……floral on one side (in case someone thought it was too “girly”), and a geometric pattern on the other. Speaking of “girly”, I had an acquaintance look at the old floral carved Heiser saddle that I used to own, and say “that must have belonged to a woman, because no guy or cowboy would be caught dead riding on it!” I was speechless!

Larry, the Colorado Saddlery rug is carved on both sides and is wool lined.
I have 2 Heiser model 85 gun rugs, one brown and one black, both are plain and lined with sheepswool as well. I can't find a photo unfortunately .
I have one other, this S.D. Myres rug. Carved on one side and also wool lined.
I think we don't see that many for the same reason that I don't buy currently produced high end rugs- they're expensive !

regards,

I really like that SD Myres Gun Rug! The carving looks fantastic. I like the way the black background highlights the floral carving! Beautiful!!

Found them. It looks like one is a model 85 and one a model 86.

Very interesting! I know Heiser has different numbers for their holsters according to their finish. IIRC, plain started with a “4”, basket weave started with a “5”, and floral carved started with a “7”. But, here a plain black and brown rug, and a floral carved one, have the same numbers. From looking at both of yours, it seems the only difference between the 85 and 86 are color.

Thanks for sharing, folks.
Larry

 

[bruce5781]

Larry,
I will dig some of mine out. The only one I have at hand is this beat up Colorado Saddlery that needs a zipper replacement. It appears to be a Model 1840, with K22-6 penciled in.

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[ENNE-FRAME]

Larry,
I will dig some of mine out. The only one I have at hand is this beat up Colorado Saddlery that needs a zipper replacement. It appears to be a Model 1840, with K22-6 penciled in.

Please cancel repeated message

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Larry,
I will dig some of mine out. The only one I have at hand is this beat up Colorado Saddlery that needs a zipper replacement. It appears to be a Model 1840, with K22-6 penciled in.

Fantastic diagonally stamped basketweave, I love it

 

[boykinlp]

Larry,
I will dig some of mine out. The only one I have at hand is this beat up Colorado Saddlery that needs a zipper replacement. It appears to be a Model 1840, with K22-6 penciled in.

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Sounds good, Bruce! I look forward to seeing what you have. Like
Marcello, I like the basketweave stamping too. How difficult will it be to get the zipper replaced? Colorado Saddlery definitely makes quality products. Thanks for sharing.
Larry

 

[bruce5781]

Sounds good, Bruce! I look forward to seeing what you have. Like

Marcello, I like the basketweave stamping too. How difficult will it be to get the zipper replaced? Colorado Saddlery definitely makes quality products. Thanks for sharing.

Larry

Larry,
I haven't tried to find someone to repair it yet. My old go-to guy for repairs is much too busy these days.

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