Pocket Holsters of old. How did they wear these?

[RetDet]

I have always loved to examine interesting holsters. The old pocket style holsters fit that description.
Until recently, all of the pocket holsters I have seen are pretty much just a double layer back with a shaped-to-the-gun pouch on the front.
Yesterday I bought this pocket holster for $10. Fits the S&W 38 M&P perfectly.

It has a feature I have not encountered before. Namely, that flap with the stud hole punched in it. It is clearly not a button hole, which is a sensible way to secure the holster in a pocket. It is a standard size stud hole like you find on many flap holsters.
The flap is designed such that it can fold over flat against the holster. No clothes I can think of would have brass studs convenient for this flap to be secured to...except perhaps a motorcycle cop's leather jacket.
The discovery made me realize that I have no idea how the guys actually wore these pocket holsters and what tricks they used to secure and hide the things. I had imagined front pants pocket carry under a reefer coat and my thinking stopped right there.

Anyone have info?

 

[Norton 750]

Perhaps attached to the buttons inside the pants for suspenders? Not many pants still have those these days....

 

[RetDet]

Those belt slots were added by a user.
No maker's mark on this holster. Just the "38" "4"

 

[Old_Cop]

I've heard of leather sowed into pockets but why not put a brass stud on a belt and suspend the holster into a back pocket. The belt loop could be used the same way.

 

[Peashooter67]

Hammer spur hole????


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[RetDet]

Hammer spur hole????

That was my first thought. But it is way too far back toward the grip. Not even close.

 

[WR Moore]

I have a sneaking suspicion that a swivel holster was the donor for the holster body. The hole is for the swivel stud.

Folks from way back when would have hysterics at what we call pockets today. They're too small and made from material too flimsy for real use. They don't even reinforce the bottoms with extra stitching and/or a second layer of cloth.

 

[s&wchad]

Old holsters like these were typically worn on a belt, with the holster tucked in the back right pants pocket. A lot of old trousers had buttons to secure the back pockets. Some had the buttons attached to the pants and button holes in the pockets. Those with pocket flaps had the buttons attached to the pockets. I'm sure some were also used in coats and jackets.

I have no idea who made yours, but the holster and backer stitching looks identical. I suspect it was originally made that way and I suspect that flap is intended to accept a button.

Here's a couple of typical vintage pocket holsters. The first is a Folsom made for a 4" .38 revolver. It accepts a narrow belt and has a tab that can secure it to a pocket button. I suspect it was intended for uniform slacks with pocket flaps. Accessing the spare ammo and even releasing the retaining snap could prove a challenge under stress!

This one is a Lawrence #18 Pocket holster for a 1911. The belt loop is a lot wider and it fits nicely in the back pocket of a pair of jeans. If I worked a gun shop counter, this would be in my back pocket under a sweatshirt.

 

[crazyphil]

Ret-Det - I think the holster you showed was made to carry in back pocket.
The previous owner cut the belt loops so he could thread his belt through,
but probably still carried in back pocket. My guess would be the 38 meant
M&P and the 4 meant 4" barrel. Just a lot of guessing.

 

[RetDet]

Thanks you guys.
Interesting thoughts and info.
I love this stuff.

 

[Peashooter67]

I learned something


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[GerSan69]

I seem to recall, quite a while back, reading about the old, old cops' (pre-WW II) uniforms having a button in the pocket to attach their holster. They didn't have the "duty rigs" of more modern cops and their gun, cuffs, club, etc., were not carried in any sort of uniform fashion. Police in colder climates had a means of accessing their guns while wearing those heavy uniform coats. One or two of the photos in this thread look a lot like those old holsters. Sorry, I don't remember much else about them.