My first centerfire handgun was and is this Ruger 3 screw Blackhawk .357. Bought new in 1972, still have original box and paperwork. When I was little, a friend of my father's had a leather custom made western style holster made for me for a cap pistol. Many years later I still had the holster and moved the belt sections so that I could still wear it as an adult, and carried the Ruger in it. Alas, that old holster has escaped me, have no idea what ever happened to it, but I still have the gun!
My first gun and holster. Do you still have yours?
- Thread starter Wyatt Burp
- Start date
First handgun and holster
My first was a S&W 19-3, nickel with a 6" barrel, purchased in 1973. Holster was also S&W. Both are still in my possession and in mint condition, revolver with box, tools, paperwork, holster with
original packaging.
My first was a S&W 19-3, nickel with a 6" barrel, purchased in 1973. Holster was also S&W. Both are still in my possession and in mint condition, revolver with box, tools, paperwork, holster with
original packaging.
Thanks to God, no - my first revolver was an H&R topbreak hammerless in 32 S&W.
Capt. F.
Member
In my case I’d be lucky to be able to get it around my wrist.
Capt. F.
Member
My first was a Ruger Flattop .357 3 screw 4 5/8” and if I remember correctly, a Lawerance holster. I was 17 (1965)and bought it from a friend who was cash strapped.
A year later the draft wanted me to play soldier and my fiancé needed a car to travel to school so to help finance the car, I sold all my worldly possessions, the Ruger and my bass guitar and amplifier before I left for basic training. Always lamented selling the Ruger.
Christmas morning, 2020 I opened a box from my wife and the contents? A 1960 unconverted 3 screw flattop, in the box with paperwork, 98%. Boy did that bring memories rushing back!
And yes, I replaced the bass guitar and amp.
Now to find the perfect holster.
A year later the draft wanted me to play soldier and my fiancé needed a car to travel to school so to help finance the car, I sold all my worldly possessions, the Ruger and my bass guitar and amplifier before I left for basic training. Always lamented selling the Ruger.
Christmas morning, 2020 I opened a box from my wife and the contents? A 1960 unconverted 3 screw flattop, in the box with paperwork, 98%. Boy did that bring memories rushing back!
And yes, I replaced the bass guitar and amp.
Now to find the perfect holster.
Attachments
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2009
- Messages
- 1,404
- Reaction score
- 1,312
My first handgun was a single shot flint lock muzzle loader (at the time I was reading the Hornblower novels and decided I really needed a good sword and pistol of the era)........ Of course there was no holster, simply stuck it in my belt. I still have the gun, the start of a life long fascination with early weaponry. Next was a cap & ball revolver, a repro Navy, and I did buy a holster for it. Full flap military style. The revolver was a brass frame and I eventually shot it loose and parted it out. Held on to the holster though and it has held a number of different Civil War style revolvers over the years.
Cartridge guns started out with a single action 45 Dakota (Colt look alike) and a hand tooled Mexican made cartridge belt and holster. Had it for years but sold the set when the kids were little and bills needed paid. Been through a lot of guns and holsters over the years, had a bad case of gun traders disease I guess and when I went to work full time in the gun business it got worse. I have a couple family guns that are held on to as my kids will get them (already passed a couple on to them) but too many have come and gone. If my memory is sound the cartridge guns I've owned the longest are a pair of Colt Targetsman 22 pistols I bought for the wife and I when we were young and she wanted her own gun to go and shoot with me so we bought the pair at a local hardware store/gun shop. Neither has seen much time in a holster and when they did it was usually just a cheap Uncle Mikes on camping trips. I probably still have the holsters too as they are adaptable and too cheap to bother with selling.
Cartridge guns started out with a single action 45 Dakota (Colt look alike) and a hand tooled Mexican made cartridge belt and holster. Had it for years but sold the set when the kids were little and bills needed paid. Been through a lot of guns and holsters over the years, had a bad case of gun traders disease I guess and when I went to work full time in the gun business it got worse. I have a couple family guns that are held on to as my kids will get them (already passed a couple on to them) but too many have come and gone. If my memory is sound the cartridge guns I've owned the longest are a pair of Colt Targetsman 22 pistols I bought for the wife and I when we were young and she wanted her own gun to go and shoot with me so we bought the pair at a local hardware store/gun shop. Neither has seen much time in a holster and when they did it was usually just a cheap Uncle Mikes on camping trips. I probably still have the holsters too as they are adaptable and too cheap to bother with selling.
bearfoot
US Veteran
same style holester , but made for a 6" barrel.I bought this in about 1965.
DGNY
Member
Yes indeed. A bit before I received my New York carry permit, my paternal grandfather gave me his Hopkins & Allen 22 Range Model .22 revolver.
He had not used it since his days in the New York Guard (the name of that organization varies depending on source; and he always called it, as per his youth and early adult years in Yorkshire, England, the “Home Guard “. All this during World War I.
H&A was missing the base pin and the half moon front sight, both of which I fabricated as an early teenager.
This revolver was accompanied by an unmarked leather flap holster and leather belt, all of which I still have, though just to look at these days. As a teenager, I did fire it with standard velocity 22 long rifle and it was accurate enough offhand to hit a 5 gallon pail 100% of the time at considerably over 50 yards. Days of innocence long past, but never to be forgotten.
He had not used it since his days in the New York Guard (the name of that organization varies depending on source; and he always called it, as per his youth and early adult years in Yorkshire, England, the “Home Guard “. All this during World War I.
H&A was missing the base pin and the half moon front sight, both of which I fabricated as an early teenager.
This revolver was accompanied by an unmarked leather flap holster and leather belt, all of which I still have, though just to look at these days. As a teenager, I did fire it with standard velocity 22 long rifle and it was accurate enough offhand to hit a 5 gallon pail 100% of the time at considerably over 50 yards. Days of innocence long past, but never to be forgotten.
Keith Brown
Vendor
Took me awhile to find the holster, and it had a touch of mold on it, shame on me. I bought this, well my dad bought it but with my cash from my first job, Thanks Dad !
My parents are both from the Greenbrier Valley of West Virginia. Dad came to NY as an 18 yr old to escape the farm and work at Bethlehem Steel. We visited family there every summer for 2weeks. Dad and I stayed “up on the mountain” with his parents and my mom and sisters went “across the river” to stay with moms side of family. I convinced dad to get me a Heritage.22 single action and we’d just leave it at PawPaw’s for when we come down each summer. I think I was about 13 and the gun was a sopping $49 brand new. Many a crow from the cherry trees fell to that little 22. Stalked several woodchucks but never could get close enough for a shot. Got me a cheap nylon (camo) holster from the local hardware/general store. Eventually I turned 21 and got my NY pistol permit. I had that gun shipped up and put on my permit. I even bought the .22 mag cylinder for it. I still have it and shoot it maybe once a year. I would not sell that $49 revolver for any amount of money.
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2021
- Messages
- 4,945
- Reaction score
- 8,445
Walther PPKS, 32ACP with black “ Hun holster”, son has it as well as my 1st 22 rifle. He also has all my Dad's guns except a couple which he will end up with anyway. Grandson was here last month, showed him the 3 Rugers he will get when he gets back from overseas, Single 6 with both cylinders, 3 screw Black hawk 357 and 45 Colt Black hawk 4 5/8” barrel LNIB with box.
31FordA
Member
I still have my first gun, a 6” Model 28-2 my Dad gave me when I was 14. My first holster is still here too, a Threepersons style holster I purchased from a local holster maker for my Model 19-7 when I got hired as an investigator. I still have the 19-7 too.
My 1st gun was an Ithaca M49 .22 LR single shot that I received on my 15th birthday. I also received my granddaddy's Stevens .22/.410 that day. Still have both.
My first handgun was a brass framed Navy Arms M60 .44 cap n' ball revolver. I paired it with a black flap holster. Still have both.
My 1st cartridge revolver was a piece of **** Kimel Industries copy of the Colt Scout .22. I still have pieces of it stuck away somewhere. Since it was so inaccurate, I never got a holster for it.
My 1st centerfire revolver was 4 5/8" .45 Colt Old Model Ruger Blackhawk. Got that one in the summer of 1973, along with a Lee Loader. I went on active duty in August of that year in Charleston SC. Of course, I left the Ruger at home. One day I walked to a gunshop in town and bought a Safariland Model 43 holster in black.
Years later, I lent that Ruger to a "friend" who pawned it and never got it back. I still have the holster, which fits the 4 5/8" .45 Colt/.45 ACP convertible New Model Blackhawk that I bought to replace the Old Model.
My first handgun was a brass framed Navy Arms M60 .44 cap n' ball revolver. I paired it with a black flap holster. Still have both.
My 1st cartridge revolver was a piece of **** Kimel Industries copy of the Colt Scout .22. I still have pieces of it stuck away somewhere. Since it was so inaccurate, I never got a holster for it.
My 1st centerfire revolver was 4 5/8" .45 Colt Old Model Ruger Blackhawk. Got that one in the summer of 1973, along with a Lee Loader. I went on active duty in August of that year in Charleston SC. Of course, I left the Ruger at home. One day I walked to a gunshop in town and bought a Safariland Model 43 holster in black.
Years later, I lent that Ruger to a "friend" who pawned it and never got it back. I still have the holster, which fits the 4 5/8" .45 Colt/.45 ACP convertible New Model Blackhawk that I bought to replace the Old Model.
Swiftflyer
Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2017
- Messages
- 80
- Reaction score
- 250
Presume you meant handguns since you said holsters, my 1st was the 45 Ruger that I got in 74 to celebrate my 21st birthday. Hunter drop leg holster with cartridge loops.
The model 15-3 was my 1st S&W that I bought in 76 for $105, it has become my favorite revolver of all and has logged many miles in the Hunter holster.
The model 15-3 was my 1st S&W that I bought in 76 for $105, it has become my favorite revolver of all and has logged many miles in the Hunter holster.
Attachments
YeshuaIsa53
Member
BB Gun
H&R 20 gauge single shot
Charter Arms Bulldog .44 SPL
Remington 30-06 LH
Finally, Model 14-3 S&W
H&R 20 gauge single shot
Charter Arms Bulldog .44 SPL
Remington 30-06 LH
Finally, Model 14-3 S&W
My first Handguns were Competition Target Pistols and so holsters were not required. It was only when I went into the Police Academy that I got issued my first holster and Model 10. The holster, belt, and accessories were made by an Australian Holster company; Hellweg.
Attachments
Last edited:
elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
Did you get to keep the Model 10 and leather duty gear?
Sent with some arcane communications device.
Sent with some arcane communications device.
Yes, kept the leather gear. Unfortunately all of the issued revolvers were returned to the Police Armoury and later ordered to be destroyed by the State Government of the day even though S&W wanted to buy them back.
Last edited:
Similar threads
- Locked
