[turnerriver]

I watched this holster on eBay and finally bought it after the seller lowered his buy it now price. I went through my catalogs and, as suspected, didn't find it listed. It's a special order cross draw only holster likely designed by the buyer. I inspected it and found etching on the back that said either "Colt Mag" or "Cmt Mag" so I got out my Combat Magnum and a Colt .357 Magnum Trooper. Both fit, the Trooper fit a lot more snugly. The last photo shows the very top of the inside where the sight imprint clearly indicates the Trooper. The inside of a holster frequently reveals what gun the holster was made for so use a flashlight and see what the front and rear sight impressions look like and the top strap as well. Most handguns leave a clear readable impression in a holster, you just need to take the time to inspect the holster.The back racetrack shaped plate forms a tunnel for the belt. It has an interior metal plate and is built up with sewn leather pieces that I tried to show in one of the photos. The upright thumb snap is metal reinforced as well. Probably a one of a kind Myres holster, at least the only one I've ever seen.Regards, turnerriver

 

[Matchlock]

That's a really nicely made S.D. Myers holster you have there John. Any idea of the age of it?

Bud

I watched this holster on eBay and finally bought it after the seller lowered his buy it now price. I went through my catalogs and, as suspected, didn't find it listed. It's a special order cross draw only holster likely designed by the buyer. I inspected it and found etching on the back that said either "Colt Mag" or "Cmt Mag" so I got out my Combat Magnum and a Colt .357 Magnum Trooper. Both fit, the Trooper fit a lot more snugly. The last photo shows the very top of the inside where the sight imprint clearly indicates the Trooper. The inside of a holster frequently reveals what gun the holster was made for so use a flashlight and see what the front and rear sight impressions look like and the top strap as well. Most handguns leave a clear readable impression in a holster, you just need to take the time to inspect the holster.The back racetrack shaped plate forms a tunnel for the belt. It has an interior metal plate and is built up with sewn leather pieces that I tried to show in one of the photos. The upright thumb snap is metal reinforced as well. Probably a one of a kind Myres holster, at least the only one I've ever seen.Regards, turnerriver

 

[RacingSnake]

I always enjoy your posts John. Another nice holster!

 

[turnerriver]

Bud, I'm guessing the 1950's or '60's. Regards, turnerriver

 

[hotrod150]

Never seen an extra-tall thumbbreak like that before. Congrats on a very cool & unique find.

 

[chaosrob]

That thumbreak looks very functional. Neat holster

 

[serb]

Thats pretty interesting.

How would someone draw? Two handed? One hand to pull the thumb break away, while the dominant hand draws?

 

[turnerriver]

It's possible to draw with one hand, breaking the thumb snap and pulling the revolver out through the loose strap. The holster rides best out in front of the left hip so reach isn't a problem. It in my opinion was designed by someone with a very specific idea of what he wanted. Regards, turnerriver

 

[hotrod150]

Kinda reminds me of the extra long tail on the safety strap of some Threepersons-style holsters I've seen, only different. I can't imagine what purpose the extra-long thumb-break would serve, but (esp since a savvy leather smith like SD Myres made it) I'm sure there's a reason.

 

[rednichols]

Can it be dated, perhaps from the stamp?

 

[A10ACN]

Now that is an odd duck! Neat piece, though and I'm glad you got it, if only to study it and educate the rest of us (yes, I'm selfish!). The long thumb strap makes sense for easier one hand draws- just reach for the grip with the thumb a bit wider and it appears that would be enough to unsnap it as the hand grasped the stocks. Also, the extra length would help prevent folds of shirt material interfering with the draw. That extra rigid backing should keep it positioned on the belt more solidly than the typical loop, also. Whoever designed this one knew exactly what he wanted.
Thanks for posting, extremely interesting!

 

[Bearbait in NM]

As we're stuck with speculation, here's my stab. The black makes me suspect law enforcement. In case some of you have not tried cross-draw on the front of the left hip, the arm can easily rest on top of the gun. Even if the arm/hand is in front of you like it might be when talking with someone or mayby with a clipboard or something in the left hand, the tall break might have been designed for the left hand/wrist. Maybe it can be descretely unsnapped, or mayby deliberately to "tell" the person with whom you are talking/escalating that you just upped your level of seriousness?

Craig