A vintage leather work of art for my 1911

[380ACP]

Here's something you handmade leather and traditional gun fans may enjoy. Living in Alabama where OC is legal, I occasionally choose to do so. When I do, I particularly enjoy doing so with my Colt 1911 and this beautiful handmade vintage leather holster that belonged to my late grandfather.





I know very little about it other than it has the name "Hunter" embossed on the snaps and stamped into the rear of the holster. Knowing my grandfather, he likely purchased this holster in the late 1940s to carry his Colt 1911 on base while he was stationed in various places (he was an Air Force Colonel in WWII). My memories are of it sitting in the display case with his handguns as he had long been retired once I came around.





The detail work in the leather is amazing...even more so knowing that it was more than likely all done by hand.





As you can see in the above pictures it's just a little long for my commander length 1911...it's made for a government model...but my commander still fits very well.



His initials, "LJB", can still be seen written into the back of the belt loop. The wear of the letters wasn't done by my usage, so it shows that he carried his Colt in this holster frequently.

Hope you enjoyed this family heirloom and a glimpse into the past of leather holstermaking.
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[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Inspector71]

I have a black Hunter holster that I used to carry an N frame S&W model 28 in years ago. It was smooth leather without the engraving but it had the same stamping and the straps like yours. I retired the 28 to my safe and still have the holster in one of my holster boxes somewhere.

[goldshellback]

That. Is. Nice!

Thanx for sharing that bit of family history as much as the pics of that wonderful holster.
I rather like the idea it's beingt worn, used, and respected rather than sitting somewhere gathering dust.

[msgt/ret]

That deserves to be framed when you are not wearing it, beautiful holster.

[RKflorida]

Great example of the leather crafters art. Beautiful holster. Congrat's

[380ACP]

Thanks guys, I love wearing this old holster. When I'm not, it sits on display with my other items of historical interest...most of which were also my grandfather's before they came into my possession.
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[mwhartman]

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!

[QKShooter]

Believe it or not HUNTER Holsters is still around. They have been making holsters for probably about 70 years.
Not sure if they are still offering or selling hand tooled holsters anymore though.

[Hiram25]

Now that's pretty! Both the leather and the gun!

[BugDude]

Classic!!! Looks like the one my Dad made for his 44 magnum in the 70s. He still has the gun and holster both.

[retsupt99]

Leather 'eye candy' with 'family memories' attached...niiiiiiiice!

[380ACP]

Thanks again guys! It's cool to know that Hunter holsters is still around, I'll have to check them out sometime just to see what they are making these days.
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[sgb]

The sentimental value alone makes it priceless.

[rednichols]

Bearing in mind that Hunter is/was the Kia of holsters, I had that very holster (floral Hunter) for my own Commander when I was a teen. Security guard; badge, gun, uniform, Berkeley riots. What were they thinking?

[Mattmann]

Man that's a gorgeous holster that i wouldn't want to wear. Box it up and pass her down

Sent from my DROID RAZR