The First DeSantis Holster(s)
- Red Nichols the Holstorian
- Apr 28, 2024
- 1 min read
The earliest of Gene DeSantis' holsters were for the FBI's new M59s of the very early 1970s, and a fellow holstorian owns one of the only such to have survived. Marked with a 'leaf' stamp (standard Tandy tool still), made of horsehide and hand sewn, I'm told.
On its backside, a roll to force the grip into the waistline. Not ever necessary when the pistol is positioned lower, with the mag button at the top edge of the waistbelt. Too top-heavy otherwise. Gaylord did the roll also.
Below, the 'roll' again but not leaf. Indeed it's not marked at all but it has v v early DeSantis written (implied?) all over it. I'd say for the M19 Smith:
Below, the more contemporary mark but same leather and hand finish, and the Smith 9mm again. That is what's known as a 'pull thru strap' and found on many Seventrees holsters. Makes a louch clatter against your pistol when drawing, so few aficionados vs the common thumb snap. Or no strap at all . . ..
Read more in my book titled "Holstory -- Gunleather of the Twentieth Century -- the Second Edition" that is available at www.holstory.com and printed for you/shipped to you in USA.
Red, could you create a post on the prototyping / development process you used? I would assume each holster 'type' went through a number of changes during initial design, esp given all the variations of pistol/revolver fitments needed. Mag button above the top belt line for example is obviously something you derived through experimentation.