Colt Forum banner

1903-08 Period/Era Correct Holsters

12K views 26 replies 14 participants last post by  ei8ht 
#1 ·
I've read a couple of threads already pertaining to holster and realized there are some real knowledgeable folks here.

As often as I buy holsters and not use them, so many are available for all different makes and models.
I've always liked leather of all sorts and really like the unusual stuff ie: 1-of's and hand-tooled.

When I seen this particular pocket holster (what a novel idea /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif ), I knew I had to have it for my new (to me) 1903.
The only markings is a stamped 383 with 32 stamped below it.
I would rate it on a scale from 1-10 a 9. Due to the crackling. All stiching is intact and even before appling some natural leather conditioning, the leather straps were soft and supple.

The strap to button to the back-pocket is really neat too.
 
See less See more
2
#2 ·
Thanks for starting this thread! I never tire of looking at mine! It is has no maker mark but I believe it to be Brauer Bros., St. Louis. I found it in a St. Louis Antique Mall booth for $20 with 20% off; so out the door for $16 plus tax. Thanks again. (for 1903 Pocket Hammer)
 
#5 ·
Ziggy:

I assume/hope that your thread is not restricted to civilian holsters. Here is one that you might like.

The pistol is a .32 Colt that is US Property marked. Manufactured in WW2 for General Officers, OSS/SOE types, military intelligence types, and others who might need a small, concealable pocket pistol. The shoulder holster is also USGI and is very scarce. It is unmarked but the type is illustrated in John Brunner's excellent book on the Colt Pocket Automatics.

Regards,
Charlie Flick

 
#6 ·
Several years ago at a gun show in Ft. Worth, I saw a 1903 in a shoulder holster the likes of which I've never seen before or since. It was very old, but still in decent shape, could find no maker name, but it was a shoulder holster with a large paddle/flap below it with belt loops for support.
 
#8 ·
kwill, I believe your holster was made by Heiser. The drawing in Scott Meadows' book is dated 1952, which is consistent with Heiser's government contract work. Heiser had a shoulder holster in their line that was identical to your example.
Here are some .32 auto holsters from my collection. The 1st is a Heiser.

Next is a Hoyt, made in the 1930's-distinctive floral carving, heavy double stitching, a very well made & handsome holster & one of my favorites.

The next holster was made by O. Ball of Ft. Worth, Tx. It is a waist-band holster with a heavy weighted spring flap that secures the holster.The red leather lining is a nice touch.

Next is an Iver Johnson marked pocket holster.

Another pocket holster.

Last is a George Lawrence model 52 holster wth a clip pouch.

I run into a lot of holsters made for this series of pocket autos-it has always been a popular pistol that apparently was carried under a variety of circumstances.Ziggy, thanks for starting this thread.
Regards,
turnerriver
CCA,SWCA,NRA Life member
 
#11 ·
very interesting post,keep them coming /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
#12 ·
This is the one I found earlier in the week and posted in another post, that got this one started. Not sure if it was made for the M1903, but it is marked Clark Holsters, Los Angles, Calif. with a number 32 above it. The piece fits in it fine, it can be turned upside down and shaken with out the gun coming out of the holster, yet it draws easily.



 
#16 ·
ok, i cant belive nobody noticed the delux stocks on that gun in the carved holster. personally i have never seen those on an auto, a close up would be nice{hint}.i would ask if those are rare?? i would guess the time frame 1915 + - 5 yrs.??? thanks /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
#17 · (Edited)
Here's a close-up of the right grip.



The gun is numbered right between others that letter with these grips. The stocks are not listed in the letter, but the letter is interesting just the same, showing the gun as one of 10 shipped to the Delaware and Hudson Railroad on October 23, 1919. The gun was then returned to Colt on November 6, 1919 and reshipped to Albany Hardware & Iron Company, Albany, NY on November 25, 1919 as one of two guns in shipment.

The gun has a "K" on the upper right flat of the trigger guard, indicating a return to Colt (and consistent with the letter). You're close on the range for these grips as they appear to be on guns shipped from approx. 1913 - 1923.

Here's the letter:

 
#18 ·
very attractive stocks, thanks for the closeup.
 
#23 ·
Ziggy,thanks for the offer-I sold this holster some time ago.
Here's a few others-I've been going through some holsters & keep turning up holsters made for the Colt pocket autos.coltauto's excellent examples illustrate how popular this pistol was.
The 1st photo shows 2 Audley holsters-1 made specifically for the Savage 1907 auto & 1 for the Colt 1903.

The next photo shows an inexpensive embossed holster probably from the 1930's-'40's,marked "FINK LEATHER SHOPS" on the rear & stamped "246 AUTO".Fink had a government contract for M1916 .45 service auto holsters during WW II.

The next photo shows a George Lawrence model 16 flap holster stamped "32A" on the rear.There was a pin attached where the three holes are on the flap & the snap shows a swastika.I believe this holster pre-dates any Nazi association;I have a couple of early Lawrence holsters with this style snap.


Regards,
turnerriver
CCA,SWCA,NRA Life member
 
#24 ·
[ QUOTE ]
the snap shows a swastika.I believe this holster pre-dates any Nazi association;I have a couple of early Lawrence holsters with this style snap

[/ QUOTE ]. My understanding is the reversed Nazi symbol was in use by the American Indians long before there were Nazi's. It is called the ROLLING LOG I believe. Prior to WW2 the US even had an infantry division that had the Rolling Log symbol on their uniforms. (Promptly removed and changed prior to our involvement in WW2). Regarding the maker of the holster, I have seen Shipley, Kansas City, saddles with that design tooled into the leather. So Shipley would be another possibility. Regards.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top