Lawrence, Heisey, Hunter, etc. holsters - any holster numberreference available?

[bedbugbilly]

Figured this forum would be a good place to start.  Are there any reference charts, etc. online in regards to the stampings on Lawrence, Heisey, Hunter, etc  (number stampings on the holster) and what pistols they fit?  I've looked at several on different online auctions but the seller obviously has no idea of what pistol the holster will fit and I've passed as I don't know whether they will fit the pistols in my collection or not.  I passed on a nice Lawrence not too long ago that had some good looking basic tooling on it as the seller couldn't say for certain if it would fit one of the pistols I have or not.  Even though I make my own holsters, I would like to add a few examples of "vintage/antique" holsers by some of the more well known makers to my collection.  I've done some searches but haven't come up with much.  Any suggestions or can someone point me in the right direction? Are any of the original catalogs reprinted and available?   Thanks!   

[Cliff Fendley]

You could always buy them and then buy a gun that fits

[JimBob]

Check out http://www.cornellpubs.com They have reprints of Heiser-1940,Lawrence-1965,Myres-1944&1966 I found on a quickie search.However,most of these companies had holster patterns with a number,you ordered a number and specified for what gun and they made it to fit your gun.They might make a certain numbered holster pattern that could be ordered made to fit 15 different makes of revolvers.Old Stoegers catalogs are also a source of information on makers numberings.

[Slowhand Bob]

Years ago several of the big catalog outfits used to have a one or two page chart system layout just or this and I think an old local outfit, Charleston Sports, even had one mounted to the shelves in the holster isles.  My first check would be with the remaining two biggies, Mid-South and MidWay but they no longer send me the big catalogs!  If Cabellas or Bass Pro ever did, I do not think so now?  It may take a bit more to get to where you wqant to go but try this, enter "holster fit chart" into your search engine and pull the different charts from the individual companies for comparisons.  There are a lot of charts there to choose from by make. 

[bedbugbilly]

thank you fellas - greatly appreciate the info and suggestions.  I was thinking that a particular "pattern" was probably made in a variety of sizes to fit different pistols.  I didn't know if they were stamped with a particular number code to indicate that the pattern fit a particular frame size or pistol - say a dash 1 meant it fit Colt SAA and a dash 6 meant it fit a S & W break top - as well as a coding to distinguish barrel length.  I'll check out the link to the catalog reprints as well as do the other search to see what I can "gather".  I can remember the old Herters catalog used to have a pretty good section on holsters they ordered - unfortunately, a lot of the old catalogs I had have gotten away from me over the years.  Thanks again for the input - is always appreciated!   

[JD Alan]

I like Cliff's idea   My wife would not