How to get longer straps for old shoulder holster? (Who made this?)

[M25max]

I bought a NOS shoulder holster (unknown brand) but the straps are two short even at the longest position to fit me. I am quite tall and this was a risk I accepted when I bought this online. The holster is really nice and exactly what I wanted, so I want to find a way to get this to work. Could anyone recommend somewhere to get longer straps made for this holster or some other suggestion to add more length to both sides (holster side and tie-down side)? I am also curious what company made this holster? Was it Bucheimer Clark, Cathay, or some other company?

 

[s&wchad]

I believe it was made by the S&W Leather Division, which later became Gould & Goodrich. It's a version of the "Dirty Harry" holster, which was also made by Bucheimer and Lawman Leather.
I'm going off of memory, which isn't what it used to be!

Your best bet for longer straps may be a local shoe repairman.

 

[AlHunt]

Maybe you've got a local leather guild or club? Maybe a Tandy or some kind of leather supply store that might help you find a local leather worker?

That's an easy project. In fact, maybe all you need is a longer belt attachment.

 

[robvious]

if you don't have access to a local holster maker, shoe repair or saddle repair if you are rural... or find some matching buckles and add a strip of leather punched to match as an extention.. Tandy?

 

[M25max]

How old would this holster be if it was made by Smith & Wesson’s leather division?

 

[s&wchad]

How old would this holster be if it was made by Smith & Wesson’s leather division?

Late 1960's to the mid-1980's. S&W employees Robert Gould and Jon Goodrich purchased the holster business around 1985 and formed Gould & Goodrich.

 

[M25max]

Late 1960's to the mid-1980's. S&W employees Robert Gould and Jon Goodrich purchased the holster business around 1985 and formed Gould & Goodrich.

Would you be able to decode the number on the strap? What do these mean? I was told one of the numbers is a NSN number.

 

[portugeejn]

Definitely not a NSN (National Stock Number) as they have 13 digits always in the xxxx xx xxx xxxx format. Some kind of model or inventory number I would assume, but I have no clue what they might stand for. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of the product will be able to chime in.

 

[s&wchad]

I dug through my collection and found essentially the same holster! Mine has slightly different markings on the back. "B15-34" is explained in the S&W Holster catalog.
B = Black
15 = Holster Model
34 = Gun Fit (34 is the code for a 4" K frame).

The other number on mine (1095-00-120-8972) is a National (NATO) Stock Number. I believe your code represents a different date. I found this with a google search:

US SHOULDER HOLSTER FOR 4" BBL S&W .38 REVOLVER K-FRAME(SCOTT MEADOWS COLLECTION) #542

US, U.S., SHOULDER HOLSTER, HOLSTER, S&W, .38 REVOLVER,

checkpointcharlies.com

 

[Matt_X]

On mid 70s- 80s S&W holsters B would be Black, 15 the holster model, and 34 the firearm fit S&W k-frame 4" and a few other 4" revovlers of that size.

I don't recognize the font or model from the catalogs that have been posted here and elsewhere.

edit: S&Wchad beat me to it and better yet had an example. Let me check my notes to see if I have any gleanings on the model.

 

[John Tucker]

I bought a NOS shoulder holster (unknown brand) but the straps are two short even at the longest position to fit me. I am quite tall and this was a risk I accepted when I bought this online. The holster is really nice and exactly what I wanted, so I want to find a way to get this to work. Could anyone recommend somewhere to get longer straps made for this holster or some other suggestion to add more length to both sides (holster side and tie-down side)? I am also curious what company made this holster? Was it Bucheimer Clark, Cathay, or some other company?

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Your best bet is to go to Tandy Leather for a belt leather like your strap and a buckle like your strap. This would be to make a simple belt extension.

 

[Matt_X]

Some slightly conflicting information about these holsters, which were made by several companies.
<snip>
The "1095-00-120-8972" is the item's National Stock Number. The "00" number, after "1095", indicates post-September 1974 manufacture. </snip>

I beleive this to be correct because results of an NSN search:
1095-00-120-8972
Pistol Holster
1095001208972 001208972 B15-34
1095-00-120-8972 HOLSTER,PISTOL 1095001208972 001208972
Managed by United States
NSN Created on 21 Oct 1968

From 2011, unfortunately I didn't note the forum. Either here or USmilitaria
Posted August 13, 2011

I did some quick checking into the holster. The Part Number (P/N) "B15-34" is a Bucheimer part number...who originally designed the holster. As most know if the government adopts an item already "on the market" they, in turn, normally contract out to the lowest bidder and that "low bidder" may or may not be the original designer (ask Bianchi and Lowe Alpine about this - Greg Lowe still holds a small grudge because of it).

I'm not sure the B15 was originally a Bucheimer design, but others here may be able to confirm or refute that.

 

[John Tucker]

Your best bet is to go to Tandy Leather for a belt leather like your strap and a buckle like your strap. This would be to make a simple belt extension.

 

[AlHunt]

I can re-make that belt attachment piece for you, only longer. You'd need to give me the thickness and dimensions. Hopefully the buckles attach with chicago screws or some other easy means.

Unbuckle it, open the belt loop and lay it on a piece of graph paper. Measure the thickness, let me know how much more length you need and PM me your mailing address. Fast and easy.

Edit: In fact, I can punch holes to reattach the buckles and send the chicago screws.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I believe it was made by the S&W Leather Division, which later became Gould & Goodrich. It's a version of the "Dirty Harry" holster, which was also made by Bucheimer and Lawman Leather.
I'm going off of memory, which isn't what it used to be!

Your best bet for longer straps may be a local shoe repairman.

I agree. S&W leather company, acquired by G&G. Didn’t S&W acquire Bucheimer to create its leather business? Bucheimer made the original Dirty Harry holster for the movie.

 

[robertrwalsh]

As others have noted Tandy sells leather straps of various widths and thicknesses. It is hard to find an actual store any more but they have an excellent internet operation.

 

[majick47]

The shoulder holster was intended for USAF pilots since the S&W Model 15 4" revolver was the AF standard issue sidearm during and after the Vietnam era. OP might want to check a few custom holster makers to see if they would modify it to fit you better, it doesn't look like it would be an expensive project to have it done professionally.

 

[BRHP]

I bought a NOS shoulder holster (unknown brand) but the straps are two short even at the longest position to fit me. I am quite tall and this was a risk I accepted when I bought this online. The holster is really nice and exactly what I wanted, so I want to find a way to get this to work. Could anyone recommend somewhere to get longer straps made for this holster or some other suggestion to add more length to both sides (holster side and tie-down side)? I am also curious what company made this holster? Was it Bucheimer Clark, Cathay, or some other company?

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Take AlHunt up on his offer! I've modified holsters with leather and chicago screws that I would get at Alessi's shop and it sounds like he knows what to do. Good luck

 

[Cliff in Baton Rouge]

Take AlHunt up on his offer! I've modified holsters with leather and chicago screws that I would get at Alessi's shop and it sounds like he knows what to do. Good luck

Try Nashville Custom Leathers in Fairview, TN just outside of the city

 

[M25max]

That is nice. Thanks for the offer.