H H Heiser

Birth of Two Leather Giants: H H Heiser and S D Myres

Many companies made their mark in the leather goods and holster industry. Two that are still recognized and respected today are H H Heiser and S D Myres.

S D Myres

Samuel Dale Myres was born in Texas in 1871 and spent his young years working ranches and helping to support his family. Through the years, he became very skilled in ranch life but left it to pursue an apprenticeship with T.r. James & Sons Saddlery for three years during which he picked up leatherworking skills.

In 1897, he moved with his wife and children to Sweetwater and bought a saddlery company, which he renamed as the S D Myres Saddle Company. His show saddles were considered the best ever made and in 1914, he sold one for $10,000.

In WWI, Myres was commissioned to create 5,000 saddles for the Calvary. In 1920, Myres won a contract to create holsters and other equipment for the FBI. He then began working with lawmen and shooting champions to design holsters that included two famous border agents: Bill Jordan and Tom Threepersons.

The popularity of the company’s products continued to grow so much that S D Myres was commissioned to provide saddles for Hollywood films. Though Samuel Dale Myres passed on long ago, his designs continue to impress.

H H Heiser

Herman H. Heiser was born in Germany in 1836 but emigrated to the U.S. in 1854. Upon arriving, Heiser began to focus on learning English and making quality saddles- a demand that was high at the time.

By 1863, he decided to open his first shop in Denver, Colorado, and H H Heiser Saddlery was born and Heiser trademarked his well known Triple H logo- something that is still recognized today. His saddles were popular and were featured in the Rocky Mountain Division of the Pony Express.

In addition to saddles, H H Heiser produced gun leather, harnesses, cowboy accessories, and more. H H Heiser became the first company in the area to use machines for the sewing of products, allowing for greater efficiency and higher production.

Upon his passing in 1904, Heiser’s sons took over the company. When the country was moving from horseback to automobiles, they switched directions with the company.