Heiser ?

[Eddie Southgate]

Just won this a few minutes ago . Guessing it's a Heiser but not 100% on that . Opinions ? Looks like it was slotted to strap it on to something , maybe a steering column . Marked for a 6" Officers Model .

Eddie

 

[boykinlp]

You can pull the holster out of the pocket and see if the Heiser Maker's Mark is hidden underneath somewhere. I don't think I have ever seen a Heiser holster that was not marked by them. Hopefully, John will be along soon to help.

 

[rednichols]

Saw that one. Agree with Boykin, not really a Heiser without their mark (which the company actually states in its old catalogues).

 

[crazyphil]

Just won this a few minutes ago . Guessing it's a Heiser but not 100% on that . Opinions ? Looks like it was slotted to strap it on to something , maybe a steering column . Marked for a 6" Officers Model .

Eddie

The etching of OM 6 looks very much like markings I have seen
before on very old Heisers, but I have never seen a Heiser that
didn't have their maker mark.

But, I have heard, there is a first time for everything.

 

[-db-]

I had the same thought as Phil. The "handwriting" looks just like others we've seen. I'm a weirdo who notices tiny details like this.

 

[crazyphil]

I had the same thought as Phil. The "handwriting" looks just like others we've seen. I'm a weirdo who notices tiny details like this.

Not so weird. I call it diligence.

 

[turnerriver]

I'm confident there will be a Heiser stamp on the toe of the holster skirt. I believe it is a Heiser model 512, I'll be surprised if it is not marked.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I had the same thought as Phil. The "handwriting" looks just like others we've seen. I'm a weirdo who notices tiny details like this.

Like Phil said , not weird at all . That's what made me bid . Every Heiser marked for the OM6 looks like it was done by the same hand . I didn't think the seller knew where to look for the makers mark and I just happen to have an Officere Model Target so I took a small (very) chance and won .

 

[wheelgun610]

Just for the record, every Heiser I've ever owned with an 'OM' marking was actually a better fit for an N frame than an Officer's Model or K frame. I've got a few marked OM5 and OM6, and they're all too big for anything smaller than an N frame.

I'll be curious to see what that one actually fits (best). I'd guess it's a number 513 - if indeed it is a Heiser. Time will tell....

Mark

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Tracking shows its out for delivery in Minor Hill so I will have it within the next couple of hours .

Eddie

 

[crazyphil]

Those slots that you referred to are, I believe, for the following:
Top slots for a piece of rawhide to go over the hammer to keep the gun
from falling out and to keep the hammer down.
Bottom slots for a piece of rawhide to go around leg for quick draw practice.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Phil , the top slots are in the back flap . That would be the worse possible place for a hammer thong . It should be in the body of the holster and is almost always a single hole right in front of the hammer . I give you a maybe on the lower holes being for some form of tie down . Should be here anytime now my mail is almost never later than 1:30 .

Eddie

 

[Eddie Southgate]

It has the 1910-1925 makers mark like the one pictured below and is marked 511 and OM 6 1/2 . My 6 1/2" second model HE .44 fits just about right except having to carefully wiggle the Wonder Sight in due to the adjustment knob on the side . Don't understand the OM reference in regards to what is obviously an N frame holster . The other holster I bought awhile back was marked OM 6 and fits my Officers Model Target just like it should and wears the same makers mark . I can say that I am more than happy with this holster for the less than $50 price I gave for it . I'll clean it up and treat it this week and maybe post some more pictures .

Eddie

 

[crazyphil]

It has the 1910-1925 makers mark like the one pictured below and is marked 511 and OM 6 1/2 . My 6 1/2" second model HE .44 fits just about right except having to carefully wiggle the Wonder Sight in due to the adjustment knob on the side . Don't understand the OM reference in regards to what is obviously an N frame holster . The other holster I bought awhile back was marked OM 6 and fits my Officers Model Target just like it should and wears the same makers mark . I can say that I am more than happy with this holster for the less than $50 price I gave for it . I'll clean it up and treat it this week and maybe post some more pictures .

Eddie

The 1910-1925 makers mark came from Vintage Gunleather I
believe. It is not entirely reliable. turnerriver has said he has
seen exceptions.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

The 1910-1925 makers mark came from Vintage Gunleather I
believe. It is not entirely reliable. turnerriver has said he has
seen exceptions.

You are correct on the Vintage Gunleather, I borrowed their picture because I knew exactly where it was and didn't want to have to hunt for it elsewhere. I'm not normally lazy but I can be when I want to .

Eddie

 

[wheelgun610]

.... Don't understand the OM reference in regards to what is obviously an N frame holster....

I've been curious about it ever since I got my first one with the OM marking. It's a #718 that fits my 5" HD perfectly. That one also has the 'bar-oval' maker's mark, but the holster just doesn't look - or feel like a piece of pre-1925 gunleather. As I said earlier, every Heiser I have or have seen marked 'OM' has been a perfect fit for an N frame.

I also question some of the info on the VGL site. They don't even know what most of their holsters fit. I tried to buy a holster from the original owner of VGL years ago, but raised the price - not once, but twice, so I pretty much told him what he could do with it.

Mark

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Mark, I expected it to fit the OM Target like the other one did but couldn't be more pleased that you were right . MY .44 now has a good looking vintage holster instead of the plain newer Hunter that was all I could find to fit it . ...... I love this holster ,... But I won't be Boning it !

 

[crazyphil]

I've been curious about it ever since I got my first one with the OM marking. It's a #718 that fits my 5" HD perfectly. That one also has the 'bar-oval' maker's mark, but the holster just doesn't look - or feel like a piece of pre-1925 gunleather. As I said earlier, every Heiser I have or have seen marked 'OM' has been a perfect fit for an N frame.

I also question some of the info on the VGL site. They don't even know what most of their holsters fit. I tried to buy a holster from the original owner of VGL years ago, but raised the price - not once, but twice, so I pretty much told him what he could do with it.

Mark

I had a similar experience with VGL several years ago. Paid
dearly for an old vintage holster. Didn't fit what they said it
would fit. Wrote a letter complaining a little bit and asking
what they might do. (Paper letter at that time) They didn't
even answer me. That was my last purchase from them.

 

[wheelgun610]

Here's an example of the bar-oval marking that couldn't possibly be from the 1910-1925 era. It's marked for a K-22, and K-22's didn't arrive 'till 1931.

photo by forum member 'bulletslap'

Mark

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Anybody want to hazard a guess as to a ballpark age ? It actually is, as stated in the auction,.. brown . Dark but not approaching the black that it is pictured as . If I can find the picture of the one for my Officers Model I will post it below , they are pretty much the same color .

Eddie