HH Heiser Holster...

Pete Ebbink · 05-23-2005, 11:50 AM

Seems I am beginning to build a small collection of HH Heiser holsters for lugers...this one will be coming to my home in a week :

Rod WMG · 05-23-2005, 07:06 PM

That's a real nice one, Pete!

lugerholsterrepair · 05-23-2005, 07:21 PM

Pete, Naval or Artillery? They indeed made a quality holster. To produce one as nice today would be expensive...Jerry Burney

Pete Ebbink · 05-23-2005, 09:56 PM

Hi Jerry,

This one is for a 6" luger...it has the open toe design. I have a nice 1920's 6" shooter (7.65 mm) that has been waiting for the right holster...

I was pleased to see the black & cream enamel paint on the snap is still intact on this holster.

Pete...

George Anderson · 05-24-2005, 08:02 AM

Pete, you got spurs, boots and chaps to go with that?

Heinz · 05-24-2005, 08:20 PM

Pete, could you please elaborate on HH Heiser. Is this a US producer from pre WWII?

Thanks in advance

PS, Great holster!

Pete Ebbink · 05-24-2005, 09:21 PM

Hi Heinz,

I am away from my library, but here are a couple of threads from LF members back in 2003. I find myself buying any/all HH Heiser luger holsters in good condition I run across...this must be my tertiary luger infection...that no antiboitics can cure...

Ron Wood info :

" Bender does not give a chronological breakdown of Heiser holsters by style or style number. He does give a very detailed biography of Hermann H. Heiser, and some information can be inferred from that bio. The HHH logo came into being in 1878 and the firm continued in operation by the Heiser family until 1945 when the firm was sold to the Denver Dry Goods Company. Bender states that DDGC continued to operate the Heiser shop until 1950, but doesn't indicate if the HHH logo remained on their products.

With the advent of the automobile and tractor, sale of saddle goods declined, but the holster business flourished. From that you might postulate that the most probable date for a surviving Heiser holster might be from around 1910 to 1940, plus or minus on either end.

Heiser quality remained pretty consistent throughout all the years of production, so it is hard to detect variations in style, stitching, finish, etc., over the years. One marker that I have noted is that the earlier holsters used rivets bearing the HHH stamp. An example is shown in Bender of an artillery length holster with this type of rivet. That would seem to me to indicate that the HHH rivet was in use into the '20s since it is very doubtful sufficient artillery length Lugers would have been in the US to warrant production of such a holster until they became commercially available through Stoeger, A&F, Pacific Arms, etc. Since the holster you found has a plain rivet, it may or may not place manufacture in the late '20s early '30s timeframe.

Most of the Heiser holsters I have seen have had the inscription "Luger" and barrel length hand embossed on the back of the holster. But, this was not a consistent practice as Bender shows examples with and without this marking, so I can't attach any date correlation to this feature.

All of the foregoing is pure conjecture, so don't place any bets on its accuracy.

With regard to the Audley spring steel being really stout, it wasn't. The catch had to be easily depressed with the trigger finger to draw the weapon (if the pistol wasn't on "safe", such an action with the trigger finger may have resulted in the creation of "open toe" Audleys!). The downside of placing a really nice Luger in an Audley holster is the metal to metal contact of the catch and trigger guard, which could result in damage to the finish if the Luger is not very carefully placed into the holster. If inserted carefully, a Luger could be displayed in an Audley, but I certainly would not carry a nice Luger in an Audley hoster. They are still a very desirable holster to have in a collection. "

Rockin' Bob info :

"
* Heiser filed an application for his trade mark on Oct., 21, 1878. His death occurred Sept., 11, 1904. He was 68. The firm continued to prosper under the leadership of the founder's 3 sons. The firm was bought out in 1945 by Denver Dry Goods Co. which continued to provide leather goods with Heiser's name until 1950. The firm was than sold to Keyston Brothers of San Francisco.
* As to the date, I do not detect a specific date for design 435 given by Gene Bender. I infer from the text when saddle sales began to ebb due to the automobile, holsters flourished. Many of the great, top name Pre and Post WWI Wholesalers were customers of Heiser. Ambercrombie & Fitch, VL&D, Browning Brothers, Sears, etc.
* Your holster's date may be narrowed by a search for Heiser info, especially history or catalog, which would list the design 435 inception/span.
* Hope this helps. Don't tear the cover off your Benders when you get it back. "

Pete Ebbink · 05-24-2005, 09:26 PM

Here is another Heiser piece I own :

Pete Ebbink · 05-24-2005, 09:31 PM

And another :

Heinz · 05-25-2005, 09:02 PM

Thanks for the education and the great pictures. Now I think I need one of those holsters and an eagle to fill it. Just when I thought I was cured!

Edward Tinker · 05-25-2005, 09:11 PM

Very nice Pete, is there a certain model number, so I can keep my eyes open too?

Ed

Pete Ebbink · 05-25-2005, 09:24 PM

Ed,

See Bender's large luger holster book, page 570, model # 738, flap stype with floral patten or page 567, model # 536, flap style with baket-weave pattern...both for 4-3/4" luger...are on my "next to find" wish list...

Regards,

Pete...

Edward Tinker · 05-25-2005, 09:27 PM

thanks, my Benders is in storage

Pete Ebbink · 05-25-2005, 10:36 PM

Ed,

Envision a short version of my 8" basket-weave holster above.

Also envision a short version of my new floral-pattern holster above...just add a full closure flap and a closed toe design with the rawhide running up both sides.

Pete...

Edward Tinker · 05-25-2005, 10:49 PM

Showed them to Terry, she said, oh, I like that basket weave!

So, will keep my eyes open, I think they all are outstanding.

Thanks for sharing,

Ed

Pete Ebbink · 06-19-2005, 03:11 PM

My new HH Heiser holster, home with my 1920's 6" shooter luger in 7.65 cal.

I have the gun's original grips (numbered) but use the Italian-made "swiss" grips from the 1960-70's for range use. I stained the grips and applied a spray-on urethane finish.

I also have the gun's "gemany" stamped magazine, but use a spare M1929 Swiss Bern magazine for shooting :

drbuster · 06-19-2005, 03:42 PM

Very nice, Pete. I'm glad to see you're home on this Fathers Day weekend to be honored and to be united with this great looking holster.

Pete Ebbink · 06-20-2005, 11:48 AM

Family photo :

lugerholsterrepair · 06-20-2005, 05:07 PM

Pete, I just came accross a Top flap P-38 holster...Looks like a Heiser but made by Eubanks of Boise ID. Has the same basket weave and the rawhide lacing along the left side down to and including the toe. Really a high quality holster. I have never heard of Eubanks...I don't know what era they might have been operating. Jerry Burney

Pete Ebbink · 06-20-2005, 05:11 PM

Info. on Mr. Royal Eubanks...founder of Eubanks Leather Co :

" Message Board Post:

My name is Russ Eubanks and I am Royal's grandson, here is a quick summary about Royal Eubanks.

Born: November 2, 1896 in Centralia, WA (Lewis County)
Married: First wife and date unknown: one child: Jean
Second wife: Mary Eleanor Latimore, married March 20, 1937
Two sons: James Oliver (my father) and Thomas Royal
Royal died April 28, 1955 in Boise, ID (Ada County)

Royal was working in the mines in Silver City, ID when he married Mary Eleanor Latimore. After Mary spent the summer of 1937 with Royal in Silver City they moved to Boise, ID where Royal started Eubanks Leather and Mary was a substitute teacher.
Royal had learned the basics of leather working from his father and built a business of 10-12 employees. During World War II Royal supplied local and state police with leather goods. This was the only way he was able to stay in business while the war was going on. In 1949 Eubanks Leather was bought out by Pioneer Tent and Awning, a sportings good store based in Seattle. The contract stipulated a five year "No Compete" clause and Royal could never again use the name Eubanks Leather. Royal, Mary, Tom, and Jay traveled to Hawaii in Nov 1949 and to Alaska in June 1950 before they came back to Boise. Royal spent a year in Ely, NV working as a superintendent for the milling operation of a Tungsten Mining company. In 1954 Royal started Idaho Leather but died a year later. Mary sold the business to a family friend, Bud Wetzel. As of September 2004 Bud's son Ben still runs Idaho Leather in the same shop Royal had started Eubanks Leather more than 60 years previously.
Royal's leather products are still being sold on Ebay at the time of this writing in September 2004. Russ, Royal's grandson has collected over 50 items which were made by Eubanks Leather. "

05-23-2005, 11:50 AM	#1
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	HH Heiser Holster... Seems I am beginning to build a small collection of HH Heiser holsters for lugers...this one will be coming to my home in a week :

05-23-2005, 07:21 PM	#3
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,766 Thanks: 4,891 Thanked 3,121 Times in 1,432 Posts	Pete, Naval or Artillery? They indeed made a quality holster. To produce one as nice today would be expensive...Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

06-20-2005, 05:07 PM	#19
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,766 Thanks: 4,891 Thanked 3,121 Times in 1,432 Posts	Pete, I just came accross a Top flap P-38 holster...Looks like a Heiser but made by Eubanks of Boise ID. Has the same basket weave and the rawhide lacing along the left side down to and including the toe. Really a high quality holster. I have never heard of Eubanks...I don't know what era they might have been operating. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

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05-23-2005, 07:06 PM	#2
Rod WMG User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Edge of Texas Posts: 514 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That's a real nice one, Pete!

05-23-2005, 09:56 PM	#4
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hi Jerry, This one is for a 6" luger...it has the open toe design. I have a nice 1920's 6" shooter (7.65 mm) that has been waiting for the right holster... I was pleased to see the black & cream enamel paint on the snap is still intact on this holster. Pete...

05-24-2005, 08:02 AM	#5
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,528 Times in 787 Posts	Pete, you got spurs, boots and chaps to go with that?

05-24-2005, 08:20 PM	#6
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 410 Times in 180 Posts	Pete, could you please elaborate on HH Heiser. Is this a US producer from pre WWII? Thanks in advance PS, Great holster!

05-24-2005, 09:21 PM	#7
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hi Heinz, I am away from my library, but here are a couple of threads from LF members back in 2003. I find myself buying any/all HH Heiser luger holsters in good condition I run across...this must be my tertiary luger infection...that no antiboitics can cure... Ron Wood info : " Bender does not give a chronological breakdown of Heiser holsters by style or style number. He does give a very detailed biography of Hermann H. Heiser, and some information can be inferred from that bio. The HHH logo came into being in 1878 and the firm continued in operation by the Heiser family until 1945 when the firm was sold to the Denver Dry Goods Company. Bender states that DDGC continued to operate the Heiser shop until 1950, but doesn't indicate if the HHH logo remained on their products. With the advent of the automobile and tractor, sale of saddle goods declined, but the holster business flourished. From that you might postulate that the most probable date for a surviving Heiser holster might be from around 1910 to 1940, plus or minus on either end. Heiser quality remained pretty consistent throughout all the years of production, so it is hard to detect variations in style, stitching, finish, etc., over the years. One marker that I have noted is that the earlier holsters used rivets bearing the HHH stamp. An example is shown in Bender of an artillery length holster with this type of rivet. That would seem to me to indicate that the HHH rivet was in use into the '20s since it is very doubtful sufficient artillery length Lugers would have been in the US to warrant production of such a holster until they became commercially available through Stoeger, A&F, Pacific Arms, etc. Since the holster you found has a plain rivet, it may or may not place manufacture in the late '20s early '30s timeframe. Most of the Heiser holsters I have seen have had the inscription "Luger" and barrel length hand embossed on the back of the holster. But, this was not a consistent practice as Bender shows examples with and without this marking, so I can't attach any date correlation to this feature. All of the foregoing is pure conjecture, so don't place any bets on its accuracy. With regard to the Audley spring steel being really stout, it wasn't. The catch had to be easily depressed with the trigger finger to draw the weapon (if the pistol wasn't on "safe", such an action with the trigger finger may have resulted in the creation of "open toe" Audleys!). The downside of placing a really nice Luger in an Audley holster is the metal to metal contact of the catch and trigger guard, which could result in damage to the finish if the Luger is not very carefully placed into the holster. If inserted carefully, a Luger could be displayed in an Audley, but I certainly would not carry a nice Luger in an Audley hoster. They are still a very desirable holster to have in a collection. " Rockin' Bob info : " * Heiser filed an application for his trade mark on Oct., 21, 1878. His death occurred Sept., 11, 1904. He was 68. The firm continued to prosper under the leadership of the founder's 3 sons. The firm was bought out in 1945 by Denver Dry Goods Co. which continued to provide leather goods with Heiser's name until 1950. The firm was than sold to Keyston Brothers of San Francisco. * As to the date, I do not detect a specific date for design 435 given by Gene Bender. I infer from the text when saddle sales began to ebb due to the automobile, holsters flourished. Many of the great, top name Pre and Post WWI Wholesalers were customers of Heiser. Ambercrombie & Fitch, VL&D, Browning Brothers, Sears, etc. * Your holster's date may be narrowed by a search for Heiser info, especially history or catalog, which would list the design 435 inception/span. * Hope this helps. Don't tear the cover off your Benders when you get it back. "

05-24-2005, 09:26 PM	#8
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Here is another Heiser piece I own :

05-24-2005, 09:31 PM	#9
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	And another :

05-25-2005, 09:02 PM	#10
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 410 Times in 180 Posts	Thanks for the education and the great pictures. Now I think I need one of those holsters and an eagle to fill it. Just when I thought I was cured!

05-25-2005, 09:11 PM	#11
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	Very nice Pete, is there a certain model number, so I can keep my eyes open too? Ed

05-25-2005, 09:24 PM	#12
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Ed, See Bender's large luger holster book, page 570, model # 738, flap stype with floral patten or page 567, model # 536, flap style with baket-weave pattern...both for 4-3/4" luger...are on my "next to find" wish list... Regards, Pete...

05-25-2005, 09:27 PM	#13
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	thanks, my Benders is in storage

05-25-2005, 10:36 PM	#14
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Ed, Envision a short version of my 8" basket-weave holster above. Also envision a short version of my new floral-pattern holster above...just add a full closure flap and a closed toe design with the rawhide running up both sides. Pete...

05-25-2005, 10:49 PM	#15
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	Showed them to Terry, she said, oh, I like that basket weave! So, will keep my eyes open, I think they all are outstanding. Thanks for sharing, Ed

06-19-2005, 03:11 PM	#16
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	My new HH Heiser holster, home with my 1920's 6" shooter luger in 7.65 cal. I have the gun's original grips (numbered) but use the Italian-made "swiss" grips from the 1960-70's for range use. I stained the grips and applied a spray-on urethane finish. I also have the gun's "gemany" stamped magazine, but use a spare M1929 Swiss Bern magazine for shooting :

06-19-2005, 03:42 PM	#17
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Very nice, Pete. I'm glad to see you're home on this Fathers Day weekend to be honored and to be united with this great looking holster.

06-20-2005, 11:48 AM	#18
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Family photo :

06-20-2005, 05:11 PM	#20
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Info. on Mr. Royal Eubanks...founder of Eubanks Leather Co : " Message Board Post: My name is Russ Eubanks and I am Royal's grandson, here is a quick summary about Royal Eubanks. Born: November 2, 1896 in Centralia, WA (Lewis County) Married: First wife and date unknown: one child: Jean Second wife: Mary Eleanor Latimore, married March 20, 1937 Two sons: James Oliver (my father) and Thomas Royal Royal died April 28, 1955 in Boise, ID (Ada County) Royal was working in the mines in Silver City, ID when he married Mary Eleanor Latimore. After Mary spent the summer of 1937 with Royal in Silver City they moved to Boise, ID where Royal started Eubanks Leather and Mary was a substitute teacher. Royal had learned the basics of leather working from his father and built a business of 10-12 employees. During World War II Royal supplied local and state police with leather goods. This was the only way he was able to stay in business while the war was going on. In 1949 Eubanks Leather was bought out by Pioneer Tent and Awning, a sportings good store based in Seattle. The contract stipulated a five year "No Compete" clause and Royal could never again use the name Eubanks Leather. Royal, Mary, Tom, and Jay traveled to Hawaii in Nov 1949 and to Alaska in June 1950 before they came back to Boise. Royal spent a year in Ely, NV working as a superintendent for the milling operation of a Tungsten Mining company. In 1954 Royal started Idaho Leather but died a year later. Mary sold the business to a family friend, Bud Wetzel. As of September 2004 Bud's son Ben still runs Idaho Leather in the same shop Royal had started Eubanks Leather more than 60 years previously. Royal's leather products are still being sold on Ebay at the time of this writing in September 2004. Russ, Royal's grandson has collected over 50 items which were made by Eubanks Leather. "