Anyone hear of this Montana holster maker?

Oregon Bill · April 08, 2019, 12:33:22 PM

I have an old slim-Jim type holster for a Colt SAA. The barrel of the Colt was cut to about four inches, and the holster crudely shortened to fit. The Colt, in .44 WCF, was manufactured in 1882. The holster has a saddler's stamp in an oval that appears to read top: Wm. M. Meyer? Middle: Maker, Bottom: Helena ....
Does this maker ring any bells? Can't find him mentioned in "Packing Iron."

Buck Stinson · April 08, 2019, 07:00:01 PM

I have several hundred saddle shops and makers on my Montana list. Twenty of these were in Helena between 1866 and present day. None come very close to the description of the cartouche on your holster. The only one close enough to be a slight possibility is Wm. M. Mann, 1881 to 189? Can you send good crisp photos?

Oregon Bill · April 09, 2019, 05:15:53 PM

Buck, I will try, but the holster is sadly worn. Will get back to you.

Buck Stinson · April 10, 2019, 10:46:49 AM

Bill,
I understand what you mean about a cartouche being worn and hard to read. I have a holster, one of many I own which are pictured in Packing Iron. It is a floral carved Slim Jim, left hand, for an 1851 navy Colt. It has the cartouche stamped on the belt loop. This is an area where the stamp can get polished and worn rather quickly with use. I had that holster for almost 5 years, before I was able to piece the letters together on the makers mark and figure out who it was. The only reason I did figure it out was because instead of the work maker, is says SADDLER in the center of the cartouche. A bit more research and I only found one guy who put the word saddler in his stamp. Turns out, it says "J. Moore, Saddler, Independence, Mo. At the time it was photographed for placement in Packing Iron, I listed it as "maker unknown".

Coal Creek Griff · April 10, 2019, 11:42:59 AM

Buck:

That's a great story. Good detective work!

CC Griff

Marshal Will Wingam · April 12, 2019, 12:18:39 AM

Way to go, Buck. A little dilligence often pays off.

Buck Stinson · April 12, 2019, 09:53:02 PM

Because I collect this stuff, I've gathered tons of research material over the past 50 years. Back when cowboy collecting was a really big deal, you could find a number of reference books listing hundreds of old saddle shops from the mid 1800's to around the mid 20th century. Just happened that I got lucky. If it hadn't been for the word "SADDLER" and a few other letters I could make out on the cartouche, I would still be wondering who made this holster.

Skeeter Lewis · April 14, 2019, 04:25:01 AM

Buck - is cowboy collecting on the decline now?

Buck Stinson · April 15, 2019, 05:45:51 PM

Skeeter,
Many of the items we collected over the past 40 years plus years, have been on the decline over the past 6 years or so. Hot items are still silver mounted bits and spurs, maker marked wrist cuffs and some holsters and belts. Really fancy spot or concho decorated chaps are also in demand. I'm almost 70 and sitting on many collections, within my collection. Cowboy gear, guns, antique ammunition, etc., you name it and I probably have it. I collected this stuff, because I was younger and had a passionate love for the old west. Now, I have started selling off a lot of items, simply because I have other interests and with over 2000 pieces in these collections, it is tough to take care of. Many of my items have never been seen by the public in almost 50 years. I have not had a problem selling, but I see that it has slowed down in the past several years and the buyers only want the best.

Skeeter Lewis · April 18, 2019, 03:45:35 AM

Thanks for that reply, Buck. Shame the pieces have to go but that's life. Good luck with your other interests.

Buck Stinson · April 18, 2019, 09:19:09 AM

Very nice work. I see that some of these are patterned from originals that I own.

Skeeter Lewis · April 18, 2019, 01:07:26 PM

Buck, you've made my day. Thanks.
Yes, I've tried to reproduce several of your pieces in PI.

Dalton Masterson · June 12, 2019, 08:59:58 PM

Buck I wish you would invite all of us over to see!!!
Maybe a book of your collection!?
DM

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · June 13, 2019, 11:13:06 AM

Skeeter, this is one fine collection of your work, your presentation is very well done, thanks for sharing...

tEN wOLVES

Skeeter Lewis · June 13, 2019, 05:12:39 PM

TW - thanks for your kind words.

Marshal Will Wingam · June 13, 2019, 07:29:10 PM

TW's not just being nice, there. He is right on the money. Your work is second to none.

Skeeter Lewis · June 14, 2019, 03:24:33 AM

Much appreciated, Will. Thank you for that.

Buck Stinson · June 27, 2019, 06:40:51 PM

I have yet to receive photos of this makers mark, so maybe it's time to move on.