I guess I do, I've accumulated 11 of them so far. I mentioned on another thread that for many years I have cut out ads and articles from gun magazines. My fascination with Hunters started with this ad in American Rifleman in May of 1956. Below left.
Then, just a few years ago, Fat tom posted pictures of his Combat Action holster for a J Frame. About the same time Cocked and Locked posted picture of his with a 1911. Both of them were carved and beautiful. That did it. I was hooked.
Hunter is kind of a continuation of Heiser and Colorado Saddlery. When Heiser changed hands back around 1945 the leather engravers moved over to Colorado Saddlery. They were called engravers back then. We know that Hunter was in business as early as 1956 because of the ad.
A while back BC38 asked an interesting question in one of the threads. Were Hunter holsters actually carved, or were they stamped (embossed)? I told him I'm no expert, but I was, and am, quite sure that they are actually carved.
Then one of our forum gurus, Red Nichols, verified that yes, they are in fact "Mexican carved". That doesn't mean they were carved in Mexico. It is a style.
One of Colorado Saddlery's engravers, J. L. Bianco, was one of those who went on to work at Hunter. He was engraving for 40 years. His obituary appeared in 2000. I would like to think some of my Hunters were carved by Mr. Bianco.
I found a black Hunter Combat Action holster beautifully carved. The size is 55L. It can't be found in Hunter's vintage size chart, but through trial and error I found that it fits my 1911 Colt's Gold Cup NM. Shown on a Sparks gun belt. Below 2nd from left.
Hunter says their 1100 series has been the most popular leather holster in America for over 50 years. I believe them. The snap on - snap off loop was patented by Brauer Brothers in 1928. The 1100s have the plain finish. 2100s are basket weave, and 3100s are carved. The size chart for model 1100 works for all three models.
3rd from left is Hunter's model 1060 Buscadero shown with my 1860 Army replica. I put the knight on the holster.
4th from left is a little model 1100 size 6 a bit out of the ordinary because it was laced by Hunter. Shown with my Charter Undercover.
5th from left is a model 3001 for a 2" Chief. Shown with my S&W 642-1 on a Carson belt.
TO BE CONTINUED
Then, just a few years ago, Fat tom posted pictures of his Combat Action holster for a J Frame. About the same time Cocked and Locked posted picture of his with a 1911. Both of them were carved and beautiful. That did it. I was hooked.
Hunter is kind of a continuation of Heiser and Colorado Saddlery. When Heiser changed hands back around 1945 the leather engravers moved over to Colorado Saddlery. They were called engravers back then. We know that Hunter was in business as early as 1956 because of the ad.
A while back BC38 asked an interesting question in one of the threads. Were Hunter holsters actually carved, or were they stamped (embossed)? I told him I'm no expert, but I was, and am, quite sure that they are actually carved.
Then one of our forum gurus, Red Nichols, verified that yes, they are in fact "Mexican carved". That doesn't mean they were carved in Mexico. It is a style.
One of Colorado Saddlery's engravers, J. L. Bianco, was one of those who went on to work at Hunter. He was engraving for 40 years. His obituary appeared in 2000. I would like to think some of my Hunters were carved by Mr. Bianco.
I found a black Hunter Combat Action holster beautifully carved. The size is 55L. It can't be found in Hunter's vintage size chart, but through trial and error I found that it fits my 1911 Colt's Gold Cup NM. Shown on a Sparks gun belt. Below 2nd from left.
Hunter says their 1100 series has been the most popular leather holster in America for over 50 years. I believe them. The snap on - snap off loop was patented by Brauer Brothers in 1928. The 1100s have the plain finish. 2100s are basket weave, and 3100s are carved. The size chart for model 1100 works for all three models.
3rd from left is Hunter's model 1060 Buscadero shown with my 1860 Army replica. I put the knight on the holster.
4th from left is a little model 1100 size 6 a bit out of the ordinary because it was laced by Hunter. Shown with my Charter Undercover.
5th from left is a model 3001 for a 2" Chief. Shown with my S&W 642-1 on a Carson belt.
TO BE CONTINUED
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