My Newly Purchased Rabensburg Holster Bearing the A. W. Brill Mark

[arabensburg]

I bought this brown basket weave N. J. Rabensburg holster bearing the A. W. Brill maker mark last month from a Texas dealer, who got it from a collector in San Antonio.

It is in good condition; however, there is some wear on the liner.

I now have a collection of three holsters by N. J. Rabensburg and two by Charles W. Kluge. All bear the A. W. Brill maker mark.

My new holster by Rabensburg was made between September 1932 to about March 1961. If I were to guess a date, it would be during the 1940s.

N. J. Rabensburg became the A. W. Brill holster maker starting in September 1932. However, there is some discussion today concerning Charles W. Kluge's retirement, that is, did he leave at the time of Rabensburg's arrival in Austin in September 1932 or depart when Rabensburg actually purchased the company and took possession of the A. W. Brill maker stamp in about September 1935.

It the latter is true, then the A. W. Brill Company may have been marketing the holsters of both Rabensburg and Kluge simultaneously for as much as 3 years ending about September 1935.

By Neale Rabensburg

 

[dobegrant]

Was he related to you ? if so pretty cool family history

 

[arabensburg]

Oh, my God! I should have introduced myself.

Was he related to you ? if so pretty cool family history

Oh, my God! I should have introduced myself. Thank you for this inquiry. N. J. Rabensburg was my grandfather.

My sister, Gayle Herring of Austin, and I watched him make and sell A. W. Brill marked holsters in and from his home workshop. I was about to turn 15 years when he died. My sister, 18.

I knew members of the Brill family as well in Austin and related Inks family members of Llano. I met Kathleen Brill nee Inks during my grandfathers funeral. Her husband, Arno W. Brill, was an honorary pallbearer.

I met Mrs. Brill again in 1968 when I was attending the University of Texas at Austin and a 3rd time in Houston during the 1980s. She wanted me to have my grandfather's writing desk and delivered it to me when I was at the University.

I knew Mellie Inks Dalrymple, who was the daughter of Mayor Roy Inks of Llano. My grandfather served with the Mayor as a town Alderman.

N. J. Rabensburg followed Roy Inks as Mayor of Llano and served until his departure for Austin in August 1932.

Idanell Brill, who is better known as Nellie Connally, was also a close personal friend of my grandparents and my Dad Aubrey. I got to meet her with her mother Kathleen Brill in Houston.

I have lots of things to share and hope to do more on Smith and Wesson and elsewhere perhaps on an official basis.

By Neale Rabensburg

 

[dobegrant]

Ok thanks for connecting some of the dots, I assume you are familiar with book Holstory,Gunleather of 20th century by Mr Red Nichols who is on this site. There are numerous references to your grandfather.

 

[dobegrant]

And he credits your grandfather with the original holster we call the AW Brill holster, so it is very cool to understand the connection.