"Jock Strap" holster & Oklahoma - can some one educate me please?

[bedbugbilly]

I had a fellow from another forum who was kind enough to send me a pattern for a "jock strap holster" for a Heritage SA Rough Ride that he had made (he's from OK).  I'm in AZ and my copy of "Packing Iron" is back in MI so I don't have access to it to see if there is any write up in regards to this style of holster and Oklahoma.  I have often seen this style referred to as an "Oklahom Jock Strap".

Can someone possibly give me a little background on this style - it's origin and time frame?  Is this attributed to Oklahoma?  Time period it started showing up?  Any information would be greatly appreciated.  I'm thinking the term "jock strap" is probably a "modern" term applied to it for obvious reasons - was there another name for this style when it was first developed?

I have made plenty of "loop" holsters of different designs - i.e. applied loops, loops cut from back skirt, etc. but have never done a "jock strap".  My first will be for my Heritage 22 SA but will probably do another for my New Vaquero as well.  I like trying "new" things I haven't done before!

Any information would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks!   

[Camano Ridge]

Don't know about the Oklahoma Jock strap, however the Texas Jockstrap was developed by SD Meyers of Sweetwater in the 1890's.

[ChuckBurrows]

What CR said - I've never heard of an OK jockstrap - on the other hand not just Texas makers did this style - in fact my favorites are those by the old George Lawrence Co of Portland during the post 1900's...
There's one or two in Packing  Iron....

[bedbugbilly]

Thanks fellas - greatly appreciate the information.  The references I've seen  to "Oklahoma Jock Strap" were very likely in error - especially if it originated in Texas.    

Does anyone know if it was called a "jock strap" from the "get go" or was there another name applied to it?

I left my copy of Packing Iron back in Michigan thinking I wouldn't need it here for the short time we are going to be in AZ - next time I'll know better!   

[ChuckBurrows]

Don't know about an earlier name but considering the date it was first "invented" my inclination would be that's it a later name applied by Collectors.
Best way to know for sure of the original name is look up the style in the early holster/saddle maker catalogs...

[GunClick Rick]

I don't know but i do know KT makes very nice ones and i saw one the others day i think from someone here that the bucket part was way up towards the top of the holster,really liked it..Take pics when your finished,i like the jock strap style.Good luck on finding info.

Might have been this one by Cliff..(scroll to bottom)
http://www.fendleyknives.com/lawdog.htm

[Camano Ridge]

I am not about to claim knowledge anywhere near that of Chucks. However evey book I look in calls it a jockstrap holster. It is simply a variant of the Mexican Loop The Texas Jock Strap is a regional veriant of the Mexican Loop. It is possible that a maker in Oklahoma made his own version and then it became named or attributed to Oklahoma. As to when the term Jockstrap Holster was coined I don't know, however the Jockstrap was inveted in 1874.

[ChuckBurrows]

The folks at Vintage Gun Leather stated this -
This Fancy Style Jack Strap Holster was introduced into the S. D. Myres Saddle Company Line of Gun Leather around 1930 and is listed in the 1931 Catalog as a #545, and the #545 holster is also the cover holster for the 1931 Catalog as well.

[Cliff Fendley]

The SD Myers jockstrap holster we are familiar with did not appear until after the turn of the century around 1920 or so. My holster I call the Law Dog is based on his design but is not an exact copy.

There is a collector of SD Myers work that lives in Louisville, he is very knowledgeable on SD Myers. He has invited me over to study and make copies of the work but problems with my health hasn't allowed me to do it.

There are earlier versions of a jockstrap style holster originating in Texas, specifically the work of Holtzer and that is around the turn of the century. A collector at one of our local guns shows has a nice example of one of those and was nice enough to let me take measurements to make a pattern. Here is one I made from that pattern and the holster used for that pattern. The original was stamped H. A. Holtzer Llano, TX. and was said to have been made around 1895-1900.

 

I think there are a couple holsters of that style in Packing Iron.

[Skeeter Lewis]

This is my version of the George Lawrence holster on page 124 of PI.

[bedbugbilly]

Thank you all for the great information and the photos of the holsters - they are beautiful! 

The Oklahoma "reference" that I saw in regards to several holsters was obviously the seller's "guess" or misinformation.  The information everyone has provided has been very helpful . . . and educational! 

I have only had the opportunity to see in person several original jock strap holsters and that was at an Old West collectors show a few years back in Tucson.  One I remember was what I would call "lightly tooled" and it looked like it had been rode hard and put away wet - obviously used and loved by someone many years ago but there were no maker's marks on it.  The other probably dated to the 30s or 40s and had a more "commercial" look to it. 

A "jock strap holster" has been on my "to do" list for several years now but I never got around to it.  When this gentleman offered to send me a pattern for one, I jumped on it as I always like to see what others do and use. I think it is a great style of holster and the potential for changing up the look by using different shapes/styles of the "jock strap" opens the patter up to all sorts of possibilities.

Thanks again for the great information - it's all appreciated - one of the things this forum is famous for - good people and the willingness to share information!  Thank you all again!