ordnanceguy
Member
Gentlemen:
Elmer Keith certainly needs no introduction to S&W fans. He was the dean of old time gun writers and, although short of stature, was larger than life to a couple of generations of American shooters.
I recognized him immediately when I saw this image. Yesterday, a friend gave me a very large stack (18 inches worth) of old gun magazines from the late 1950s to the early '70s. Halfway through the pile I saw this February 1958 issue of "GUNS". I have always enjoyed reading the old issues of American Rifleman, GUNS, Shooting Times, Outdoor Life, etc. Tons of good information and images can still be found in their pages.
So, what is this beautiful floral carved holster that Elmer has on his left hip? The revolver appears to be Elmer's pre-Model 29 .44 Magnum which was a gift from Carl Hellstrom of S&W.
Here is a pic I found of Keith's pre-Model 29 .44 Magnum. With that distinctive shield on the left side of the ivory stock indicating the gift from Hellstrom, it is readily identifiable. (Photo credit to Guns & Ammo mag.)
The revolver was engraved by George Madis. I don't know the serial number of it or where it is now, but I understand that the .44 Magnum was one of Elmer's guns sold in the Julia Auction in 2015. A little bit of quick searching did not show this same holster in that auction, although I might have overlooked it.
I also did a quick search through my copy of "Holstory", the now-essential reference on vintage American gunleather. Although Keith is given considerable space in the book, I did not see this particular Keith holster pictured therein.
So, can anyone identify the maker and model of the very attractive holster which Elmer Keith is wearing in this now 60-year old image? With that darkened background in the carving, I am thinking it's a Myres but am fully prepared to be educated otherwise by Turnerriver, Red or any of our other gun leather experts here.
And a Merry Christmas to all.
Elmer Keith certainly needs no introduction to S&W fans. He was the dean of old time gun writers and, although short of stature, was larger than life to a couple of generations of American shooters.
I recognized him immediately when I saw this image. Yesterday, a friend gave me a very large stack (18 inches worth) of old gun magazines from the late 1950s to the early '70s. Halfway through the pile I saw this February 1958 issue of "GUNS". I have always enjoyed reading the old issues of American Rifleman, GUNS, Shooting Times, Outdoor Life, etc. Tons of good information and images can still be found in their pages.
So, what is this beautiful floral carved holster that Elmer has on his left hip? The revolver appears to be Elmer's pre-Model 29 .44 Magnum which was a gift from Carl Hellstrom of S&W.
Here is a pic I found of Keith's pre-Model 29 .44 Magnum. With that distinctive shield on the left side of the ivory stock indicating the gift from Hellstrom, it is readily identifiable. (Photo credit to Guns & Ammo mag.)
The revolver was engraved by George Madis. I don't know the serial number of it or where it is now, but I understand that the .44 Magnum was one of Elmer's guns sold in the Julia Auction in 2015. A little bit of quick searching did not show this same holster in that auction, although I might have overlooked it.
I also did a quick search through my copy of "Holstory", the now-essential reference on vintage American gunleather. Although Keith is given considerable space in the book, I did not see this particular Keith holster pictured therein.
So, can anyone identify the maker and model of the very attractive holster which Elmer Keith is wearing in this now 60-year old image? With that darkened background in the carving, I am thinking it's a Myres but am fully prepared to be educated otherwise by Turnerriver, Red or any of our other gun leather experts here.
And a Merry Christmas to all.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he wore the gun in a LH holster specifically for that picture so readers could see the shield. 
