In previous threads we discussed the hammer shroud, shield, protector, "dog ear", etc. or whatever you choose to call it: Wally Wolfram holsters, Safariland "dog ears", S&W 01 FBI holsters, Bucheimer's "Hank Sloan" holster, Milt Sparks 200AW, et al, ad nauseam.
Well here is another wrinkle I would like to throw into the confusion:
I have tried for some time to find a good photo of Delf "Jelly" Bryce with his holster, but no luck so far. From another thread, Jelly Bryce holster? P.4 posted some photos and a video, which I believe are the only Bryce holster photos I have seen. But they were unclear and inconclusive. Whoever posted the video wasn't even certain it was Jelly.
Jelly, like most of us, undoubtedly had several, or more, holsters.
In his book Legendary Lawman, Ron Owens said "Jelly Bryce was responsible for creating the FBI's first firearms training program, developing their concealed holster and their fast draw techniques." There are some references to this statement in Historical Dictionary of Law Enforcement by Roth & Olson, and also some reference to it in To Serve and Protect by Floyd & Helms. But I'm uncertain as whether owens was quoting them or they were quoting him.
Unfortunately there are a lot of quotes that get passed around to the point that I can't give credit to the original source, because I don't know who it is, such as some of the following:
Jelly was FBI Special Agent in Charge in El Paso in 1941, then in San Antonia, Albuquerque, & Oklahoma City. During this period He designed what came to be known as the FBI fast draw holster.
Only description of Jelly's holster, developed for the FBI concealed carry was a Threepersons variation with the trigger guard covered - probably (made) by Myres.
The only problem with this notion that Jelly Bryce designed the FBI hoster? I contacted Larry Wack (Dusty Roads of an FBI Era) in February 2015 and asked what he knew about Jelly designing the FBI holster. Here is his response: "in all of the thousands of pages of FBI files, I have never seen any reference to any holster designed by Bryce for the Bureau."
Moreover, George Franklin, whos father was an agent in the 1930s and very close to Bryce, said he never heard of any Bryce holster for the Bureau either.
Another description by unknown author: Jelly's holster, developed for the FBI concealed carry was a Threepersons variation with the trigger guard covered - probably made by Myres.
Pighunter on S&W Forum December 2011 refers to a post by Jim Higinbotham on another forum, he refers to Mr. Bryce's holster as a Threepersons variation with a covered trigger. Probably an S.D. Myres rig.
Yet another, post on S&W Forum by gcouger March 16 2015 suggests the holster might have been made by Jelly's Dad who was a leather worker, or maybe even by Jelly himself.
Raymon Kasbaum, Jelly's step-brother, said it was heavily modified, rear belt loop smaller than front to allow foreward tilt and to rock upon drawing & didn't have a real good hold on the gun. (I think he meant the holster was loose, not providing a tight hold on the gun.)
My thoughts:
Jelly Bryce and Sam Myres were friends. As mentioned previously, Jelly was in El Paso in 1941 and He was also a pallbearer at Sam's funeral. He undoubtedly owned one or more holsters made by Sam Myres.
Whoever started the legend that said "trigger guard was covered" could have been mistaken and really meant hammer was covered? I can't believe Jelly would have his trigger covered at that time in history?
In none of our previous threads have we came to a definite conclusion about the origination of the hammer shroud. Perhaps it was one of Jelly's modifications? The time period, during the 1940s, fits.
The fact that Larry Wack found nothing in the FBI files doesn't necessarily mean Jelly didn't design an FBI holster. It is logical to believe he would have taken his design to a holster maker, like his friend Sam Myres.
Again, I'm sorry about quoting or paraphrasing some without being able to give credit, if I knew who they were, I would give them proper credit.
If this is more than you want to think about, I understand. To many it probably doesn't make any difference. But I am a holster nut and love history. I would like to know you thoughts.
Well here is another wrinkle I would like to throw into the confusion:
I have tried for some time to find a good photo of Delf "Jelly" Bryce with his holster, but no luck so far. From another thread, Jelly Bryce holster? P.4 posted some photos and a video, which I believe are the only Bryce holster photos I have seen. But they were unclear and inconclusive. Whoever posted the video wasn't even certain it was Jelly.
Jelly, like most of us, undoubtedly had several, or more, holsters.
In his book Legendary Lawman, Ron Owens said "Jelly Bryce was responsible for creating the FBI's first firearms training program, developing their concealed holster and their fast draw techniques." There are some references to this statement in Historical Dictionary of Law Enforcement by Roth & Olson, and also some reference to it in To Serve and Protect by Floyd & Helms. But I'm uncertain as whether owens was quoting them or they were quoting him.
Unfortunately there are a lot of quotes that get passed around to the point that I can't give credit to the original source, because I don't know who it is, such as some of the following:
Jelly was FBI Special Agent in Charge in El Paso in 1941, then in San Antonia, Albuquerque, & Oklahoma City. During this period He designed what came to be known as the FBI fast draw holster.
Only description of Jelly's holster, developed for the FBI concealed carry was a Threepersons variation with the trigger guard covered - probably (made) by Myres.
The only problem with this notion that Jelly Bryce designed the FBI hoster? I contacted Larry Wack (Dusty Roads of an FBI Era) in February 2015 and asked what he knew about Jelly designing the FBI holster. Here is his response: "in all of the thousands of pages of FBI files, I have never seen any reference to any holster designed by Bryce for the Bureau."
Moreover, George Franklin, whos father was an agent in the 1930s and very close to Bryce, said he never heard of any Bryce holster for the Bureau either.
Another description by unknown author: Jelly's holster, developed for the FBI concealed carry was a Threepersons variation with the trigger guard covered - probably made by Myres.
Pighunter on S&W Forum December 2011 refers to a post by Jim Higinbotham on another forum, he refers to Mr. Bryce's holster as a Threepersons variation with a covered trigger. Probably an S.D. Myres rig.
Yet another, post on S&W Forum by gcouger March 16 2015 suggests the holster might have been made by Jelly's Dad who was a leather worker, or maybe even by Jelly himself.
Raymon Kasbaum, Jelly's step-brother, said it was heavily modified, rear belt loop smaller than front to allow foreward tilt and to rock upon drawing & didn't have a real good hold on the gun. (I think he meant the holster was loose, not providing a tight hold on the gun.)
My thoughts:
Jelly Bryce and Sam Myres were friends. As mentioned previously, Jelly was in El Paso in 1941 and He was also a pallbearer at Sam's funeral. He undoubtedly owned one or more holsters made by Sam Myres.
Whoever started the legend that said "trigger guard was covered" could have been mistaken and really meant hammer was covered? I can't believe Jelly would have his trigger covered at that time in history?
In none of our previous threads have we came to a definite conclusion about the origination of the hammer shroud. Perhaps it was one of Jelly's modifications? The time period, during the 1940s, fits.
The fact that Larry Wack found nothing in the FBI files doesn't necessarily mean Jelly didn't design an FBI holster. It is logical to believe he would have taken his design to a holster maker, like his friend Sam Myres.
Again, I'm sorry about quoting or paraphrasing some without being able to give credit, if I knew who they were, I would give them proper credit.
If this is more than you want to think about, I understand. To many it probably doesn't make any difference. But I am a holster nut and love history. I would like to know you thoughts.
