The George Lawrence Leather Company

[rednichols]

Hi Red yes I received it, I wrote 3 or 4 emails to thank you after receiving it, but the postmaster@...
reported "Undeliverable: Holster rig".

I don't know why and I don't understand the meaning, but it said this:

flpd601.prodigy.net returned this error:
flpd601 DNSBL:RBL 521< 40.92.89.29 >_is_blocked.For assistance forward this error to [<[email protected]>]

The belt is fantastic, unfortunately the holster was shortened but for me the rig is absolutely the best gift I have ever received.
Thanks
Thanks
Thanks

If that happens again one can always reach me through my site that is holsterguys.com | Holstory Book . For everyone else, here's the set which I originally acquired from SG-688; Enne-frame was wanting a Heiser in basketweave despite the holster having been shortened by a prior owner (I cleaned it up, tho, to nearly 'factory' alteration). I've had my hand on literally millions of holsters so I don't even collect them now; just their history. It was from owning this set that I discovered that not only were there two different 'football' Heiser marks that look nearly the same but not quite -- but they are also a different size.

I have the images filed in the Keyston era that began 1950 and ended 1968, the last of their catalogues to show gunleather.

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

(I cleaned it up, tho, to nearly 'factory' alteration).

Red
The experience you have accumulated in years of Gunleather certainly cannot be conveyed in a few written lines...
The rig you gave me was impeccably clean, I would like to be able to treat the holsters in my collection in the same way. Can you explain it and indicate the products used?
It should be a new thread even if they certainly already exist, but, if you agree, you can creating a one as a tutorial.
I would read it avidly

It was from owning this set that I discovered that not only were there two different 'football' Heiser marks that look nearly the same but not quite -- but they are also a different size.

I have the images filed in the Keyston era that began 1950 and ended 1968, the last of their catalogues to show gunleather..

My experience with punches, accumulated in twenty years of work as a master goldsmith, suggests a first explanation: the craftsman in charge of producing the punch may have made them in two different moments using as a sample a drawing of the brand made with small but unintended differences.
In the goldsmithing field, punches, before the advent of new computerized technologies, were made by hand by master engravers on steel bars and then heat treated. There may be differences from one to another precisely because of this human variable.
Since leather is a softer material than metal, non-steel punches made using corrosive acid could be used. Even in this case the starting point is always a drawing and there can always be small differences.
It is simpler to think of an evolution of the mark, something "proven" by the change in design between the various marks.

 

[rednichols]

Enne-frame, by 'cleaned it up' I meant that the ends of both the holster and the fender behind, had been hacked off rather squarely. The right tools and a bit of trimming/sanding changed their rough ends into something that looked like it was factory.

As for the finish, your holster will never need anything again. It's been suggested that clear shoe wax -- but really, unless you hunt in the rain without a coat, gunleather sheds whatever comes its way. It's boots and saddlery that get abused in the weather, not gunleather.

 

[silverstateS&W]

Hello holster guys-I wonder if any of those catalogs show this Lawrence holster or if it was a custom?
It appears to be for a 6" scoped K frame
Larry in Reno

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Hello holster guys-I wonder if any of those catalogs show this Lawrence holster or if it was a custom?
It appears to be for a 6" scoped K frame
Larry in Reno

I checked all my catalogs from 1937 to 1978.
The model 24 with the number 502 always refers to Colt revolvers. I did not find the variable K, in my catalogs, among the possible customizations that could be requested during the order phase.
The letter K was probably used to order a holster for a pistol with an optical sight (scope). It was probably added later.
A subsequent catalog is needed.

 

[turnerriver]

Hello holster guys-I wonder if any of those catalogs show this Lawrence holster or if it was a custom?
It appears to be for a 6" scoped K frame
Larry in Reno

I checked catalogs up to 1990 and couldn’t find the K designation. 502 was the size code for 6” Colt E/I frame revolvers such as the Trooper and .357.
I’m guessing that K designated the scope modification.
Regards,

 

[Papa Lee]

Geo. Lawrence Steerhide

A twin to Larry's 211 except it has the earlier "Steerhide" football stamp and is marked for a "S.A.38". I would surmise that Lawrence marked the caliber on the holster when it was sold as a complete rig (belt with cartridge loops). Any caliber Colt SAA 5 1/2", of course, would fit the holster.

 

[boykinlp]

A twin to Larry's 211 except it has the earlier "Steerhide" football stamp and is marked for a "S.A.38". I would surmise that Lawrence marked the caliber on the holster when it was sold as a complete rig (belt with cartridge loops). Any caliber Colt SAA 5 1/2", of course, would fit the holster.

Very nice Lee! I really like the older maker’s mark of yours. Your thoughts on the reasoning for the specific caliber on each holster makes perfect sense to me.
Larry

 

[sceva]

Everyone shows holsters pretty much

How about this for a change of pace, horizontal magazine holder for Mod 41 or other .22 pistol magazines. Like new because it is just a little too snug to fit my 1 1/2" wide belts.

 

[Alstep]

Anybody take note of the postage on the Catalogues? 1 Cent!

 

[boykinlp]

Everyone shows holsters pretty much

How about this for a change of pace, horizontal magazine holder for Mod 41 or other .22 pistol magazines. Like new because it is just a little too snug to fit my 1 1/2" wide belts.

That is great, sceva, like John’s knife sheath. It does look brand new! The only Lawrence items I’ve seen are holsters and belts, I believe. I don’t think I have even seen an ammo slide.
Larry

 

[boykinlp]

Anybody take note of the postage on the Catalogues? 1 Cent!

I did notice that when I got it. A while back, I got a 1938 Myres catalog that came it it’s original mailer envelope. So I got its 2 cent stamp and IIRC the addresses (both the receiver’s and sender’s) were hand written. I thought that was extremely cool.
Larry

 

[turnerriver]

A couple more Lawrence oddball items.
Shotgun shell box belt carriers.

A belt pouch for carrying an extra cylinder for your Ruger Single Six.

Cartridge belt slide, .44 caliber.

Regards,

 

[boykinlp]

A couple more Lawrence oddball items.
Shotgun shell box belt carriers.

A belt pouch for carrying an extra cylinder for your Ruger Single Six.

Cartridge belt slide, .44 caliber.

Regards,

Those are really nice, John! I never would’ve thought that you could get a Lawrence leather belt pouch for carrying an extra cylinder for your Ruger Single Six. Thanks for sharing.
Larry

 

[Drm50]

From when I was a kid the 1st thing after getting a new pistol was to order up a Lawrence for it. Early 60s found me a Ruger SA nut. I had Lawrence western rigs for all them. From Single-6 to SBH. Not to mention holsters for many other makes and models. Today on have a few left, at 60 yrs old they still look new. Somewhere around 80s I started with Bianchi and Safariland
and only bought holsters with lining.Good leather lasts long time if properly cared for. I also made it SOP only to buy natural oiled leather in smooth patterns. Much easier to maintain.

 

[boykinlp]

From when I was a kid the 1st thing after getting a new pistol was to order up a Lawrence for it. Early 60s found me a Ruger SA nut. I had Lawrence western rigs for all them. From Single-6 to SBH. Not to mention holsters for many other makes and models. Today only have a few left, at 60 yrs old they still look new. Somewhere around 80s I started with Bianchi and Safariland and only bought holsters with lining.Good leather lasts long time if properly cared for. I also made it SOP only to buy natural oiled leather in smooth patterns. Much easier to maintain.

Drm50, we’d love to see pictures of your Lawrence western rigs!
Larry

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Geo Lawrence Steerhide 211 holster

Nice prewar GL 211 style rawhide laced with an uncommon design of the loop

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Prewar Geo Lawrence 211 steerhide holster

Nice prewar GL 211 style rawhide laced with an uncommon design of the loop

 

[turnerriver]

Here I go learning some new again. I never knew there was such a thing as Lawrence pigskin covered holsters. Thanks for the information John, and the pictures, Lee and Marcello. Gives me something to keep an eye out for.
Larry

I just found this one, it was made for a PPK. That’s my .22 PP with it which doesn’t fit like a PPK would but it’s close and looks good. The pigskin was lined with smooth leather, it looks like an involved process to me so I’m assuming they didn’t sell enough of them and dropped them from the line after just a few years.

Regards,

 

[JKP099]

I like them too. One of the top 3-4 makers I look for.