Simply Rugged Tom Threepersons

[PauldL]

Just came in today. Had ordered it on a couple weeks ago, don't even think it was 3 weeks.
Quality is outstanding!
I really love this holster.
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/ThmDjGDr] [/URL]
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/q60MXPPL] [/URL]
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/30HzcpFj] [/URL]
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/phTnTV4j] [/URL]

 

[TJm15.38]

That's a beautiful rig you have there.

 

[rednichols]

Agree it is finely made. The basketweave is exceptionally well done . Ideally on a Threepersons the welt stack is applying enough friction to the frame that the strap is an afterthought.

 

[PauldL]

Agree it is finely made. The basketweave is exceptionally well done . Ideally on a Threepersons the welt stack is applying enough friction to the frame that the strap is an afterthought.

Thank you sir

 

[PauldL]

That's a beautiful rig you have there.

Thank you

 

[Russell Cottle]

They are great holsters, I have several for different frame sizes. They're more aptly called the 120 after Lawrences model 120.

 

[PauldL]

They are great holsters, I have several for different frame sizes. They're more aptly called the 120 after Lawrences model 120.

Yes sir. & they do say that on the web page. The 120.
I probably should've said the 120 Tom Threepersons in my thread.

 

[WardenRoss]

Pure green with envy!

Congrats!

,

 

[JJOG]

Handsome holster!

 

[crazyphil]

Here is a photo of the famous Lawrence Model 120 "Keith" holster,
in basketweave with a retention strap. Made for Colt's Single Action Army
model with 7.5" barrel. Shown with a replica.

 

[Onomea]

Good looking holster!

What are the differences between the Three Persons and the "famous Lawrence 120?" (To my eye, the 120 above looks a bit blockier, but I have not seen a side-by-side comparison.) Also why is the 120 called the "Keith" holster. Did Elmer design it? If so, was he trying to improve on the Three Persons?

Or, is the 120 simply one of many Three Persons style holsters by various holster shops?

 

[PauldL]

Good looking holster!

What are the differences between the Three Persons and the "famous Lawrence 120?" (To my eye, the 120 above looks a bit blockier, but I have not seen a side-by-side comparison.) Also why is the 120 called the "Keith" holster. Did Elmer design it? If so, was he trying to improve on the Three Persons?

Or, is the 120 simply one of many Three Persons style holsters by various holster shops?

Thank you, sir
I was wondering the same as well.

 

[crazyphil]

The Tom Threepersons holster was designed and produced by the actual
Tom Threepersons. I believe the Lawrence "Keith" was basically a copy
of the Threepersons. Lawrence, Myres, and probably others made their
renditions of the "Keith" model. The story is that Elmer Keith contributed
to the design.

 

[SMSgt]

OMG! The trigger is exposed! You'll shoot your foot off. ;-)

Very nice.

 

[turnerriver]

Here’s a brief outline of the Threepersons & Keith holsters. S.D. Myres first cataloged the Threepersons holster in a 1931 dated holster catalog. Red has many details about Tom Threepersons and his holster design in the 3rd edition of Holstory, I don’t think there is anybody who has done better research on the subject. The first Lawrence catalog in my collection that lists the model 120 Keith holster is dated 1940-a 1938 catalog does not have it listed. A 1947 or 8 catalog offers the model for Frontier Model only, later catalogs state for 4” or longer revolvers only. I’ve included a cut from the 1952 catalog showing a blurb by Elmer himself and a piece of page 151 from my copy of Sixguns giving Elmer’s explanation of the differences. I think he may have confused the Threepersons with a couple of early Myres Threepersons designs as shown, the cuffed holsters were sewn at the bottom of the full loop but the design we think of as a Threepersons today wasn’t.
1940 Lawrence catalog cut.

1947-8 Lawrence catalog cut.

1952 Lawrence catalog cut. Note the information regarding Smith & Wesson revolvers, Lawrence was a distributor at the time.

Finally a piece of page 151 from Sixguns by Keith.

Myres early Threepersons labeled styles. I think Elmer is referring to the skirted almost Brill design.

Typical Threepersons.

Finally, a Lawrence model 120 Keith holster I ordered for my .41 Magnum Blackhawk.

Regards,

 

[SS336]

Both the Keith design and the Treepersons design look pretty close to the same to my uneducated eye. Both are great holsters for everyday use. The floral carved ones are gorgeous.

Here is modern El Paso Saddlery rendition. Bottom one.

 

[rednichols]

The story of the Threepersons holster begins with what we know of as the Brill and not with Tom Threepersons. The real Three Persons was a Canadian (fun fact: the surname is English and not Indian) and our Texan confiscated the name and reputation of the rodeo cowboy for publicity purposes (read: money).

The holster we call a Threepersons is the Brill with the latter's skirt and cuff removed. The Texan endorsed the Myres holster in exchange for a royalty when Sam Myres' business was suffering mightily on the saddlery side, beginning 1930.

It is said that the pattern work for the Myres was done by Arno Brill, son of August the founder of Brill. In 1935 the pattern was changed to the familiar one and is thought to be a result of the switch from serving the Texas Rangers' single actions (straight frame) to the FBI's double actions to use the .357 Mag in '35 (notched frame).

The Keith, then, is the Myres version for the FBI with two further changes: the extra long strap wanted by Keith as laid out in turnerriver's quotation from Elmer, so that it c/b tucked behind the belt; and for some reason, the extra long belt loop end was trimmed to the minimum. Made great sense for Lawrence because all that extra length on the loop of the OP's holster adds nothing to function.

So it is not correct for Elmer to have claimed to have 'designed' the 120 (in Hell I Was There). Instead he endorsed it and his endorsements were worth lots to Lawrence, to Berns-Martin, to S&W for the .44 Magnum, and etc. Just as Tom Threepersons had endorsed Myres' version.

 

[Onomea]

Thanks, Turnerriver and Red. That's good stuff!

I have long wondered about the long retention strap, thinking surely it interferes with the draw. Elmer's explanation that one tucks it behind the belt when not working cattle or riding a bucking horse makes sense. Presumably, that is the way one normally wore/wears the holster — strap tucked — when there is little chance of it falling out. (Well, if one were Elmer anyway!)

 

[PauldL]

Yes! Thank you both..very good stuff indeed!
Ya know when I first holstered I thought "wow" it really doesn't need this strap. It's very sturdy and the gun is very secure w/out the strap.
But, it does look neat imo

 

[Onomea]

Here's what Simply Rugged says about their 120/Threepersons: