Holsters Makers: Hermann H. Heiser Archive

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Scope sheats

Here some scope sheaths similar as the holsters published by John "turnerriver" in a precedent post
all with the same code#139 but the first is a flat body fully rawhide laced the the others with leather plug sewed in end and spaced latigo laced.

 

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Scope sheath

more photos of another scope sheath

 

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Scope sheath

another type, same code different rawhide laced

 

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rednichols leaves the forum

This is the last post of Richard "Red" Nichols and maybe it's the last one:

"I'm taking a break from this forum and one other. Not only do I post too often but I also write encyclopedia entries to boot. I'd like the younger crowd to show off their knowledge and sleuthing skills instead.

I started out on forums for the same reason I stayed on them: not to give out knowledge but to get it; that is, I'm not selling, I'm buying -- information. And I have gathered a LOT of it since 2012 or so, on gunleather and its makers. Thank you!

I have notifications turned off so any comments, nice or foul, won't reach me.

The Holstorian"

I feel like an orphan. I hope he reconsiders but his choices must be respected, we are surely losing a pillar of the forum.

 

[boykinlp]

This is the last post of Richard "Red" Nichols and maybe it's the last one:

"I'm taking a break from this forum and one other. Not only do I post too often but I also write encyclopedia entries to boot. I'd like the younger crowd to show off their knowledge and sleuthing skills instead.

I started out on forums for the same reason I stayed on them: not to give out knowledge but to get it; that is, I'm not selling, I'm buying -- information. And I have gathered a LOT of it since 2012 or so, on gunleather and its makers. Thank you!

I have notifications turned off so any comments, nice or foul, won't reach me.
__________________
The Holstorian"

I feel like an orphan. I hope he reconsiders but his choices must be respected, we are surely losing a pillar of the forum.

Marcello,
I believe he still has a blog, you can probably still reach him there.
Larry

 

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Marcello,
I believe he still has a blog, you can probably still reach him there.
Larry

Larry
I feel like an orphan here on the forum so to speak. Anyway I know your blog and we have also written several emails.
However, for better or for worse he was a great presence.

 

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Slowly I am trying to put some order in this thread that would like to have the pretension of cataloging of the GUNLEATHER production that came out of the laboratories of Hermann H. Heiser in Denver Colorado.
It is not an easy thing due to the lack of important indications in the catalogs, in the post #1 at the start of the thread I'm trying to realize an index with links model by model, I'll abbine to the model the corrispettive catalog and page to this index.
https://smith-wessonforum.com/141930221-post1.html
I am starting to scan the catalogs in my possession and as soon as I can have a good chronology of the same I will publish them, with the limit of 5 photos for each post, the result will be so more posts for each catalog.
Remembering that there aren't indication for the handgun models and the length of the barrel but only for the style of the holster or belt or any other item produced by the Company. Often the handgun model and the length of the barrel were scratched on the back of the holster.
It must also be kept in mind that there are many stamping errors in the holsters and that the numerical codes have changed over the years without any apparent logic or pattern.
From this we can deduce the artisanal (tailored) approach of the Factory never directed towards a schematization or simplification of production, also given by the large quantity of special order holsters in circulation.
In the twilight of Heiser with the merger with Keyston we witness the disappearance of almost all the models produced until then. Only some will continue to be produced, simplified and standardized, without the artisanal, tailored, component that had distinguished the House for years.
in the below photos some example of wrong numberation.

 

[turnerriver]

Here are some cuts from later catalogs-1958 & 1965-6. As Marcello noted, Heiser’s systems changed including the long history of custom ordering and model numbers that indicated the basic holster with details provided by the customer- fit, special additions or features, finish, etc. By 1965 the holster line was very basic with no offerings of custom features and choices.

Regards,

 

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H. H. Heiser #179

To celebrate the new year and say goodbye to the old one, I'm posting some nice photos, early numberation of a nice flap Holster Mexican hand carved.
The last photo shows the waffle hand stamped finish

 

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H. H. Heiser photos- #724, #424, #708

Other nice pictures
two interesting Army Style Flexible Belt holsters
a double holster buscadero rig

 

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H. H. Heiser #435 and #1710

Interesting marks on this 435
One nice 1710

 

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H. H. Heiser Hand Basket Stamped

H. H. Heiser Hand Basket Stamped

 

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miscellaneous holsters
and Style #295, #296

Very interesting duble loops flap holster, Bull's Eye stamped, plain smooth lined, raw-hide laced and open end, unfortunately in very poor condition, here with double H. H. Heiser marks on the upper and lower loops and numbering changed from 196 to 296 for the particular spec reporting on the catalog number 14, the Style number usually stamped on the lower loop moved to inside the holster, close to the swinging of the flap.

 

[turnerriver]

Here’s a photo of some of my Heisers that was taken by a professional photographer for a book cover some years ago. Some are gone and some are still here, one or two of them are now in Marcello’s collection.

Regards,

 

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H.H. Heiser #424

Here a nice 424 without swing hanging belt loop.
Factory's "tailor-made" setup allowed for custom-made items to be ordered

 

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Unknow Heiser holster

An incredible Heiser holster find now on the web, I' haven't any news about it, can anyone help me?

 

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H.H. Heiser #476, #576, #776

New Spring Holster style 576, acquired recently, published the first time on the catalog N°40

 

[boykinlp]

An incredible holster find now on the web, I' haven't any news about it, can anyone help me?

That’s a nice looking holster. It looks like it has the brown enamel snaps that Heiser used, and the floral carving looks really nice too. Are you sure it’s not a Heiser?
Larry

 

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That’s a nice looking holster. It looks like it has the brown enamel snaps that Heiser used, and the floral carving looks really nice too. Are you sure it’s not a Heiser?
Larry

Sorry I assumed it was a Heiser model, maybe it was better to specify, English is not my language so it's clear now. I think in Italian and write in English a great chaos.

 

[boykinlp]

Sorry I assumed it was a Heiser model, maybe it was better to specify, English is not my language so it's clear now. I think in Italian and write in English a great chaos.

Your English is very good! If I had to write in Italian, we would be in some SERIOUS TROUBLE! When you had just lunknown holster”, I thought you meant that you didn’t know who made it. Now that you added the word Heiser, I know you mean you aren’t sure of the Heiser Model number. I don’t think I have seen one like it before. Maybe John will have an idea. Of course, it could be an uncataloged example.
Larry