S.D. Myres

[gizamo]

How about a few pics of some S&W's in Myres holsters...

"Tio" (Uncle) Sam Myers goes back almost as far as George Lawrence. Texas Ranger John Hughes, lawman Tom Threepersons, General George Patton, Colonel Charlie Askins, Bill Jordan, and Ed McGivern are just a few who passed through the doors of S.D. Myres. In fact, Myres made the first Threepersons holster for Tom, who entered the shop in the 1920's with the pattern cut from a tin can. Myers was also the first to produce the Border Patrol style of holster that was "the" uniformed peace officer rig for many decades.
Myers opened his leather shop in Sweetwater, Texas in 1897. He moved to El Paso in 1919, where he became one of the most famous makers of gun leather in the first half of the 20th century. Sam died in 1953. In the 1970's, the S.D. Myers Co. was sold and moved its operation to Oklahoma. A look at the current El Paso Saddlery catalog and comparing it with an old S.D. Myers catalog reveals El Paso obtained many of the holster patterns of S.D. Myers, which disappeared shortly after the move out of Texas.

Model 52-1 in a Myres rig....

giz

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Just a classic plain bread&butter outfit. a blue worn 1914 stock M&P in a plain black Threepersons holster.

 

[Texas Star]

There is a fellow in Sweetwater now, I think, who is using the Myres name. He can make excellent holsters, at least on par with those by El Paso Sadddlery,but I understand that he has delivery issues.

I think I also recall some outfit in the northeastern states that had rights to the Myres name briefly, but have never seen anything they made.

Does anyone else recall seeing their ads in gun magazines?

One thing I like about Myres holsters is that they carried the leather out a little further along the top of the cylinder of the revolver. Most copies cut it sparingly there, leaving the cylinder locking notches more exposed to dust, etc. And I think the Myres version just looks better, too

T-Star

 

[gizamo]

T-Star...

Funny how times move along. Years ago, I'd expect more then a few fella's would be interested in Myres work. The holster I showed isn't even marked for a gun...as the gun it was originally made for was Model 39 SN 1407, in other words the 407th S&W semi-auto back in the 50's...

So much for Tom ThreePersons, Charles Askins, all the way to Bill Jordan...

Like I said, times change. Maybe in my lifetime folks will wax and wane over the Kydex guys...



giz

 

[MKT]

I always search the "old holster" boxes at gun shops, hoping to find one. Ain't happened for me yet. I have been contemplating getting a new one for my duty auto, just to be different for plain clothes days. As I slowly get a little older I am really finding that I like the full floral carved holsters.

 

[digi-shots]

Giz,

That's a good looking Myres you have there!

Unfortunately, I don't have any.. so I can't post any pics.

I do like carved, floral holsters and I'm always looking for them. Last one I got was for a little Baby Browning... the holster is bigger than the pistol!

 

[Wyatt Burp]

T-Star...



So much for Tom ThreePersons, Charles Askins, all the way to Bill Jordan...

Like I said, times change. Maybe in my lifetime folks will wax and wane over the Kydex guys...



giz

I posted some old pictures recently of Charles Askins doing fast draw practice. It didn't get a whole lot of interest, which kind of surprised me. Someone did post closeup of his engraved Reg. magnum, which was cool.

 

[Texas Star]

We have members on some gun forums who haven't even owned a revolver!

When they get one, you'd think they'd bought a 1920's Rolls-Royce from the way they behave, as if having purchased an antique...

I guess the idea of traditional holsters has never entered their high-tech minds. Pity.


T-Star

 

[gizamo]

Just realized I left McGivern off that list ~ as one of the folks that made the trip...to walk thru his doors...

Along with half of Hollywood's western stars in the heyday...


giz

 

[mjr]

... I'd expect more then a few fella's would be interested in Myres work.

There's probably quite a few here who are interested in Myres' work, but don't own any so can post photos. I personally have looked at this thread several times, hoping more pics of Myres holsters would show up. They must be out there.

 

[Jim_O]

Myres leather

Yes, there are many Myres holsters still lurking out there. Here is a selection of a few. Sorry I'm limited to only 5 low-res photos at a time. I'd love to show more....

Two are attached to the same Myres Buscadero belt. The last one (on the wood frame) was one designed by Ed McGivern to break the 1/4 second draw. While I don't know that he ever did, he writes that two of his understudies did. And one was female....

Jim

 

[rayb]

Went through Swetwater Texas this afternoon, couldn't remember the address for the guy using MYERS as a brand name, looked in a phone book, but didn't find anything. I'll be better prepared next time I go through there . The address I have now is on Oak Street.

Re: the originals, I knew of 2, both almost worn out, one cut down to fit something different that what it was orginally made for. They may have been destroyed by now, it's been almost 20 years since I saw them.

rayb

 

[Texas Star]

Gizamo-

What gun is in the holster in the original post? Looks too short to be a Model 52.

T-Star

 

[handejector]

Has to be a 52. Look at the trigger.

 

[Tam 3]

Speaking of S.D. Myres, does any one have a picture of their model #770?

Regards,

Tam 3

 

[gizamo]

Lee got it right....

Model 52-1

giz

 

[Jim_O]

Myres #770

Speaking of S.D. Myres, does any one have a picture of their model #770?

Regards,

Tam 3

Tam,

I don't have a #770, but I did find one in the 1888-1934 Myres "Officers' Equipment" catalog. Hope these scans help....

Jim

 

[Jim_O]

Can you identify these Myres holsters?

Myres fans,

I'm looking for help identifying the model numbers on the SD Myres holsters in the attached photos. All from the 1920s-'50s. If you have a catalog that shows the model number, please see if you can match any of them up. I can't match any of them in the catalog I have, but I do know the far right holster in the top photo was custom made by Myres. All have SD Myres maker marks.

Sorry, the holster on the far right in the middle photo is upside down.

Thanks for any help you can provide,

Jim

 

[george minze]

Talk about a walk down memory lane. I started in 1963 every body wanted a Jordon by SD Myers, second choice was Buckhimer-Clark not Buckhimer but Buckhimer Clark eventually Safariland and El Paso showed up. Amazing back then we didn't make squat but we would spend for a high end holster. How things change,not all for the better I guess. (Note; Sorry about the spelling but haven't seen a BC in years)

 

[Jim_O]

Myres

Talk about a walk down memory lane. I started in 1963 every body wanted a Jordon by SD Myers, second choice was Buckhimer-Clark not Buckhimer but Buckhimer Clark eventually Safariland and El Paso showed up. Amazing back then we didn't make squat but we would spend for a high end holster. How things change,not all for the better I guess. (Note; Sorry about the spelling but haven't seen a BC in years)

Believe me George, I'm just a poor civil servant who has became the unwitting and fortunate custodian of a truly amazing, historic collection that's been indirectly and directly in the family for many, many years.

For my part, I'm trying to learn everything I can about the individual items. I'm very glad to be able to share photos of a collection that honestly hasn't been seen outside the family and a few friends for probably 60 years.

Hope you all enjoy the photos and can tell me something about some of the individual items.

Thanks,

Jim