Antique Colt holster

[HARRY THE MOLE]

Another bit of horse shit & beans stuff... I recently came across a very nice tooled Mexican double loop holster and belt. The holster is exactly the same as those that were made in the 1880's onwards, by Fred Biffar of Chicago, and the leather is amazingly supple for something that is now more than 100 years old... not a trace of cracks or rot anywhere. The front of the holster has a carved letter 'C' on the top loop, and at the rear there is the name: 'E. J. Coulton,' and below that is the date: 'January 1. 1913.' There is also a manufacturers serial number with a '6' below to indicate the barrel length of the gun it will take. But when taking the pictures it revealed a very faint 7 1/2 stamp, and close examination of the toe of the holster reveals that it had been altered.



Contrary to the image perpetuated by Hollywood movies, most holsters of this period virtually covered the pistol they held. The image of trigger and hammer fully exposed with the pistol barely in the holster is nothing more than a myth. The pistol shown is a late 19th century 'south of the border' Mexican copy of the Colt SAA in .44

Click on images to enlarge.

Cheers,
Steve

[mauser9]

Many thanks for the great pics and your comments Harry. Have seen holsters like this that cover most of the gun and fully agree with your comments. Your holster is a real privilege to view. I believe the company of Lawrence over here still makes some reproduction cowboy holsters. Best wishes.

[Anderson]

Manolito would have liked it.

[HARRY THE MOLE]

Or maybe Henry Fonda... (Once upon a time in the west)