My favorite holster ( & maybe my favorite Smith)

[lawandorder]

See those threads all the time about if you could only have one gun, another legacy from Skeeter, and the question always causes brain stress. At least it does in me.

I have a hard enough time picking my favorite holster. I admit I am a holsterholic.
This one paired with this revolver may just be it.

Made by Sterling Leather Products, St. Joseph Missouri. I don't have much info on the maker other than a few ads I have found they ran in "Popular Science" in the late 40s-50s.

One speaks obviously to this style holster, "Shoot from the hip with accuracy with front opening holster" or something like that.

More to follow on the pistola riding in it later.

 

[sipowicz]

Very nice...almost as nice as the one I have for my DS...

 

[Broker50]

I take it that's a front-opening copy of a Berns-Martin?

 

[Xfuzz]

Very nice rig...

 

[lawandorder]

Xfuzz that ol .44 spent sometime down Houston way. Shipped to Oshman's for HPD according to Mr. J.

 

[mball]

We really need more pictures of that. Very nice.
Mike

 

[bamabiker]

We really need more pictures of that. Very nice.
Mike

I'll second that.

 

[Pete99004]

I'll second that.

I'll third it!!

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

I'll see your third and raise ya one!

 

[Six Dollar Dave]

Now that's a real beauty. And yes, we could use a few more pics!!

 

[NKJ nut]

I have had the pleasure of handling Lawandorder's revolver and it certainly has a good feel to it. I hope some day to get to shoot it. I know it's not one that he is going to be getting rid of

 

[lawandorder]

here is one of the revolver out of the holster...........

It is a 3rd Model HE .44 Special sent to Oshman's for the Houston PD as mentioned earlier. Back to factory in April of 48 for what I suspect is the following ,but not certain,
Barrel cut to 3 1/2 inches
A very unusual grip adapter added to it, similar to one Lee wrote about.
Reblue
Name placed on sideplate, "L. G Schaeffer" in block letters

The grips which seem to be for a Colt SA were probably added at a later time.
Will try to get a close up or two of the grip adapter and the front opening of the "Super Speed" holster.

Had to run Ol NKJ through the metal detector when he headed out the door.
Sure wish I knew the whole story on this one. If it could only talk.

 

[lawandorder]

The grip adapter

Back of the holster

and the front edge of the holster

 

[lawandorder]

Found a neat item to go with this holster........

a vintage Sterling Leather Products brochure. I believe this one is from 1949 and was mailed to the Detective Department, Police Headquarters, Gary, Indiana.

According to the enclosed price list the Sterling "Super Speed" holster in Russet and Genuine Hand Carved was $13.99.

 

[bamabiker]

That is one cool holster.

 

[Pete99004]

I'll take two at that price!


Pete

 

[fat tom]

Neat holster Tony. Appears to incorporate design characteristics of several other manufacturers of the day. Even plays off the name "Super Speed" as opposed to the old Safety Speed holsters.
f.t.

 

[Joe Kent]

I love "period" leather, thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[GLV]

From and old fart,

Thank you very much for the pictures and for posting the information. I hope everyone enjoys the thread as much as I do.

 

[Stainless44]

That is one FINE looking handgun!!! I like the holster too...heck...even the billy club looks like a collectors grade!