Most weird, or unusual handgun holster

[M14sRock]

Alessi "pull thru" for a 1903 pocket model

I had one of these with a double mag carrier for a Browning Hi Power.

 

[nuubee]

There have been a couple of times, years past, when I saw some interesting vintage holsters in antique stores, and just wasn't motivated to "spend the money" at the time.

One was a clamshell holster that I didn't want to spend $20 on about 25-30 years ago. Ouch.

In another antique store, years ago, I saw an interesting flap holster for a small to mid-sized auto pistol. The full-sized flap had a flat leaf spring running through the inside of the flap, and long enough to reach the back side of the body. There was a "rotary catch" (for lack of a better term) where the end of the flap came in contact with the body of the holster. When it was time to draw, The right hand rotated the catch back (it was a short throw), and the flap "stood up", probably flapping against the user's torso. It was an unusual idea, but would have been quicker than trying to get a normal "limp" flap up and out of the way while trying to claw the gun out.

Simply Rugged Leather has a holster with a detachable flap that can be flipped forward, from the rear, to allow the gun out. Apparently the design was thought up by John Bianchi while he was an MP.

 

[SWTIM255]

Alfonso's of Hollywood Walk and draw rig for a Colt Govt model
Just wish the belt was a tad bit longer

 

[SWTIM255]

Flap holster for a Top Break S&W 38 s&w
Marked "Railway Express Agency" Known as REA.
Carried by the "Mail Guard"
REA used The Lone Ranger as their spokesperson for a long time, I have a silver bullet headstamped "REA AWAY" that he gave me at a supermarket opening in Tucson when I was a wee tike.

 

[SWTIM255]

Bianchi Prototype for a Mac 10

 

[SWTIM255]

Last one
Seventrees made "Covert" s/h for a Colt govt model
Unmarked ( Sterile) for Spook pilots to use in SEA.
They were having issues with leather and Canvas rotting very fast in the bush.
These were made from S/S, alum, plastic and a clear vinyl harnesses.
Rides muzzle up (Condition 3 only) grip down, top of slide to front. extra mag on off side
Ken Null made it later as the SMZ.
One of coolest

 

[SWTIM255]

OK, one more,
The 1st Kydex holster commercially made
The Snick, I shot this one in IPSC for a short while until they banned it

 

[max503]

Hers an uncatalogued Heiser holster that a fellow SWCA member sold me. You can change it from strong side carry to cross draw. Apparently it never caught on. The rivets are the Heiser Keyston running Buffalo rivets.
Regards,
turnerriver

Any chance you could post a picture of the "mechanism" part of that holster, that allows it to be switched from strong side to crossdraw? I believe it would be the part under the flap.
Thanks.

 

[turnerriver]

It’s simple and interesting, from the looks of the holster the switch wasn’t made very often.

Here are a couple more. This is a Myres Detective Wonder holster. Designed to be worn on a belt with a small revolver upside down under the arm- a predecessor to the semi-shoulder holster design as made by Heiser, Bucheimer and others.

Another unusual Myres holster. Designed to be worn cross draw with a long thumb snap and a metal reinforced tunnel for the belt to run through. I’m thinking an individual’s design executed by Myres.

Regards,
turnerriver

 

[les.b]

John, here is a page from a story about Col. Rex Applegate's use of a variation of the Myers "Detective Wonder" holster. He was apparently wearing this holster when he shot an attacker down in Mexico, using the illustrated S&W top break. In .38 S&W, which barely stopped the guy. Which caused him to appeal to S&W for a concealed hammer version of the new Chiefs Special...and the rest is history. Or so the story goes.

Story from the American Handgunner, November/December 2011 issue. Here is a link to the story:
American Handgunner Nov/Dec 2011 Digital Edition—Page 66

Best Regards, Les

 

[HardToHandle]

Last one
Seventrees made "Covert" s/h for a Colt govt model
Unmarked ( Sterile) for Spook pilots to use in SEA.
They were having issues with leather and Canvas rotting very fast in the bush.
These were made from S/S, alum, plastic and a clear vinyl harnesses.
Rides muzzle up (Condition 3 only) grip down, top of slide to front. extra mag on off side
Ken Null made it later as the SMZ.
One of coolest

I still roll with the Ken Null concealed hammer version. Not the fastest, but rides well in a tuxedo.

http://www.klnullholsters.com/default.htm

 

[max503]

Thank you so much.
I'm wondering if there wasn't a separate flap piece, one at a different angle. One for strong side, one for cross draw??? If so, it would be an interesting solution to how to vary the angle of the holster.
I'm asking because a coworker makes holsters and I'm looking for a good design.

 

[rednichols]

John, here is a page from a story about Col. Rex Applegate's use of a variation of the Myers "Detective Wonder" holster. He was apparently wearing this holster when he shot an attacker down in Mexico, using the illustrated S&W top break. In .38 S&W, which barely stopped the guy. Which caused him to appeal to S&W for a concealed hammer version of the new Chiefs Special...and the rest is history. Or so the story goes.

Story from the American Handgunner, November/December 2011 issue. Here is a link to the story:
American Handgunner Nov/Dec 2011 Digital Edition—Page 66

Best Regards, Les

Very cool. The upside-down holster was patented by Myres' son Bill and was his second patent; which I really only mention because Bill's 2001 obituary claimed fifty patents for him when there were only three including this one. As I've noted before (in different words), the legends were (some are still living) making up their own legends.

 

[SuperMan]

No-Sho..made in Houston, Texas during the 1970s...

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Wow! There sure are interesting holsters you all are coming up with. Here's a hairy one.

 

[Senor Chisme]

Someone earlier mentioned the Mexican "shoestring" carry. This is a commercial version made in New Orleans. It works with pistols from .25ACP to Government Model .45s. And with revolvers from I frame to N frame.

 

[Senor Chisme]

Not really old but kind of unusual. This Kydex neck holster for a NAA .22. Also the two wallet holsters are kind of rare. One is for a .22LR and the other for a .22 Mag. It is my understanding that the possession of one of these holsters and the gun that it fits, transfers the gun to the realm of NFA. Don't know that for a fact, just sayin'.

 

[Senor Chisme]

This firsty picture is off of the internet. It is a Heiser holster. I really liked it and had a friend of mine who works in leather, make me one similar but without the flaps (or the lacing).

 

[Senor Chisme]

I have always been partial to the Bianchi James Bondesque shoulder holster. They made it in brown and black (for formal wear). I was lucky enough to find this in a gun show a couple of years ago.

 

[Senor Chisme]

And for the really unusual. This is a shoulder holster made by Galco for a cut down Remington 870. Thumb break and everything. I sometimes used to carry this under an overcoat or long jacket in the winters when I was working.