The Big Three-Myres, Heiser & Lawrence-3 examples

[turnerriver]

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

[ordnanceguy]

Very nice, John. You are the undisputed king of high quality, oddball holsters.

Regards,
Charlie

[Wyatt Burp]

But...but, I thought Hunter was the most famous holster maker. Every time I dig a Heiser or Myres out of the bottom of a dusty gunshop junk box, I have to wade through six inches of old beat up Hunter holsters to get to 'em!

[Fortibus55]

As always, a pleasure to look at the photos you posted.

[Cigarlvr313]

Thank you!

[cda926]

Very nice!!

[CSM]

Some very beautiful gun leather - thanks for sharing..

[Malysh]

Wonderful holsters, thanks John.

[Rawhide]

John, thanks for another outstanding posting of unique and beautiful holsters. Can you please post George Lawrence catalog listings for their "Special Agent" holsters. I am interested in learning how many variations GL made available and how long they were in production. The PPK had to make the list. Can there be any doubt that 007 was the inspiration for the Special Agent line?

[drhodes]

Dang what beautiful leather work.