How do you tell if it's an Askins Border Patrol or a Jordan Border
Patrol holster? That's easy. Just look at the trigger guards.
How do you tell if a holster is Mexican carved or Sheridan style?
That's not quite so easy. Or maybe it is. The center piece in
both styles is a flower. The California poppy for the Mexican
style and the 5 petal wild rose for the Sheridan style.
The photo below left shows the California poppy on the left.
If you count the petals, you will find four. On the right is the
5 petal wild rose. If you count the petals, you guessed it, you
will find five.
What we call the Mexican style, actually originated in Spain.
After the Spanish conquered Mexico, some immigrants were
Spanish leather engravers (that's what they were called then).
Remember, California was part of Mexico, so the engravers were
inspired by the bright orange California poppies that bloomed
in the Spring through the Fall, and made it the center piece of
their carvings. My Myres #614, 2nd from left and Heiser #728,
3rd from left are good examples.
The Sheridan style didn't get started until after WWII by Don King,
who had a saddlery in Sheridan, Wyoming. The style features
leaves and stems in circular patterns, around each circle surrounding
a flower.
I remembered J. L. Bianco was one of the engravers who moved
from Colorado Saddlery to Hunter, so I took a look at those two
makers holsters. Sure enough, 5 petals on both. Others I have
found so far, that show 5 petals are Tex Shoemaker, Oliver Ball
and Eubanks. I'm quite sure there are many more.
Lawrence, 4th from left and Sparks, 5th from left are 2 good
examples of the Sheridan style.
It is really more complicated than just counting the petals,
but I am still learning. If anyone has anything to contribute,
by all means, jump in!
Here's the UPDATE:
It seems I have opened a can and there are worms everywhere.
As I said previously, the Mexican style and the Sheridan style
seems to be the most popular carving styles used for holsters.
Also, as mentioned previously, the California poppy seems to be
the center piece flower for the Mexican style, and the 5 petal
wild rose for the Sheridan style.
But after spending a little time studying carving, I find that there
are many, many styles. The Northwest style, the Texas style,
the Arizona Porter style and the California (Visalia) style, just to
mention a few.
There are many more styles, and some carvers seem to choose
bits and pieces from several styles and put them together.
There are also many other types of flower used for the center
piece by carvers of various styles. There are flowers with 6
petals, as mentioned. There are flowers with 8 petals. The
regular rose (in addition to the wild rose) is also used. And of
course the sunflower.
As an old bean counter, I like to have things organized and in
balance. I am finding it to be impossible with carved holsters.
Patrol holster? That's easy. Just look at the trigger guards.
How do you tell if a holster is Mexican carved or Sheridan style?
That's not quite so easy. Or maybe it is. The center piece in
both styles is a flower. The California poppy for the Mexican
style and the 5 petal wild rose for the Sheridan style.
The photo below left shows the California poppy on the left.
If you count the petals, you will find four. On the right is the
5 petal wild rose. If you count the petals, you guessed it, you
will find five.
What we call the Mexican style, actually originated in Spain.
After the Spanish conquered Mexico, some immigrants were
Spanish leather engravers (that's what they were called then).
Remember, California was part of Mexico, so the engravers were
inspired by the bright orange California poppies that bloomed
in the Spring through the Fall, and made it the center piece of
their carvings. My Myres #614, 2nd from left and Heiser #728,
3rd from left are good examples.
The Sheridan style didn't get started until after WWII by Don King,
who had a saddlery in Sheridan, Wyoming. The style features
leaves and stems in circular patterns, around each circle surrounding
a flower.
I remembered J. L. Bianco was one of the engravers who moved
from Colorado Saddlery to Hunter, so I took a look at those two
makers holsters. Sure enough, 5 petals on both. Others I have
found so far, that show 5 petals are Tex Shoemaker, Oliver Ball
and Eubanks. I'm quite sure there are many more.
Lawrence, 4th from left and Sparks, 5th from left are 2 good
examples of the Sheridan style.
It is really more complicated than just counting the petals,
but I am still learning. If anyone has anything to contribute,
by all means, jump in!
Here's the UPDATE:
It seems I have opened a can and there are worms everywhere.
As I said previously, the Mexican style and the Sheridan style
seems to be the most popular carving styles used for holsters.
Also, as mentioned previously, the California poppy seems to be
the center piece flower for the Mexican style, and the 5 petal
wild rose for the Sheridan style.
But after spending a little time studying carving, I find that there
are many, many styles. The Northwest style, the Texas style,
the Arizona Porter style and the California (Visalia) style, just to
mention a few.
There are many more styles, and some carvers seem to choose
bits and pieces from several styles and put them together.
There are also many other types of flower used for the center
piece by carvers of various styles. There are flowers with 6
petals, as mentioned. There are flowers with 8 petals. The
regular rose (in addition to the wild rose) is also used. And of
course the sunflower.
As an old bean counter, I like to have things organized and in
balance. I am finding it to be impossible with carved holsters.
Attachments
Last edited:
