The Big Three-Myres, Heiser & Lawrence-3 examples (warning Colts inside)

[glenncal1]

Here is my Lawrence Holster:

Fits my 22/32

 

[rednichols]

"Might the holsters pictured be the Berns-Martin Raider model?"

Yes, I've seen them referred to as the Raider model although the
page I posted is the only company printed reference I'm aware of.
I don't know if Raider was a Berns-Martin name or a colloquial one.
Regards,
turnerriver

Always a pleasure to see turnerriver's holster posts. Indeed the Berns-Martin company published literature on the Raider, of which the Bianchi is indeed a direct copy. This pic is from their 1966 brochure that accompanied their main "Speed Holster" brochure; and the price that accompanied it:

 

[A-37]

S.D. Myres

Here's my S.D. Myres for a High-Standard Model 107. I bought the holster and pistol in 1973.

 

[Lew Archer]

Great thread, gentlemen...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CH47gunner]

Love "old school" leather -
Couldn't help posting a couple more here.

Top is an H.H. Heiser w/ M66-4 and below is a G. Lawrence w/ M19-3.
Both holsters are lined, with the protective leather piece for adjustable sights.


Another G. Lawrence w/ Colt Huntsman 6" - I got this one out of the "junk" box, at my LGS, for 5$.

 

[Chubbo]

Myres?

Here are 2 recent additions to my collection & one I've had for a while. I worked the 7-3 shift & the 11-7 overnight shift yesterday into this morning so I spent my well deserved free afternoon photographing.
Holsters with initials on them are generally less popular but I pick them up if they are otherwise interesting or significant. This S.D. Myres holster for the Colt Government Model is a top of the line special order holster that is, I think beautiful. The worked initials are either VJ, JV, TV or VT. They are artistic & nicely worked into the floral design. I'm pretty sure they stand for either Bill Jordan or Charles Askins; most of the initialed holsters I have almost certainly belonged to very famous pistoleros. Actually I'm confident most if not all of my holsters belonged to renowned sportsmen, gunfighters or lawmen but I digress. This Myres holster has a magazine release button block like the M1916 holsters have, is pigskin lined & has a full sewn welt.

The shoulder holster is a Heiser model 185 pouch type holster. It was first cataloged in the # 20 issue which dates to the 1920's; it remained in the line until catalog # 51-1950's. it was dropped from catalog # 52.
The cartridge loops are standard & this example is all original including the straps & ties. It matches the catalog description. The closeup shows the etched "PP" above the logo-although that's a 2" DS in it the holster was made, I believe for a 2 1/2" Police Positive.
The button tab on the bottom is standard on this model as well.I don't think it belonged to John Dillinger but we never really know, do we ?

The last holster is a George Lawrence model 31VCH "Special Agent" pigskin holster. I looked for an example of this series for a long time. The Special Agent group first appeared in catalog # 110, dated 1969; it did not appear in my catalog dated 1967. The 31V is described as:
"Quick draw belt holster for automatics.Holster carries high on belt, pitching gun butt forward for fast draw angle. Holster is hand shaped from firm smooth grain saddle leather toward gun & covered with imported pigskin. Cutaway trigger & exposed sight...Unoiled, Matching safety strap is optional. Leather patch over snap hardware protects gun finish, $2.50 extra." This example was made for a Colt .32 or .380 auto as evidenced by the size code 517 (also fits .22, .32 & .380 Llama pistols). The C indicates chamois lining & the H indicates safety strap; the interior snap patch wasn't ordered as the chamois lining covers it. I guess the Colt means it wasn't made for James Bond.

I enjoyed pulling these out & photographing them & I hope you enjoy looking at them.
Regards,
turnerriver

Turnreiver:
In looking at the first one of these three holsters, the carving, Sewing, Pig Skin lining, and Leather Carving, all look very much like an unidentified holster that I have. Could you identify it for me? Thanks.
Chubbohttp://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=252031&stc=1&d=1475351384

 

[crazyphil]

Hi John, That S.D. Myres holster with the initials and holding the 1911
Colt is legendary. (I created the legend in my own mind).

At first look and continued study I knew the initials are V T.

It obviously belonged to Vincenzo Terranova. Vincenzo was born in
1886 in Corleone Sicily. He was an underboss in the Genovese crime
family.

He was gunned down in 1922.

There are other holster legends more far-fetched. So why not?

 

[turnerriver]

Chubbo, your holster was almost certainly made in Texas or Mexico but that's as close as I can get to identifying it.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[crazyphil]

Of course S. D. probably wasn't making holsters early enough
to be Vincenzos, but why worry about details. It's a legend.

 

[bruce5781]

Found a Myres today in the closet, can't ever remember having picked it up. 5" 38/44 fits great.

Sad part is, I still haven't found the K22 one liner I was trying to locate at the time.
Regards,
Bruce