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Antique Holsters

Holsters predate firearms, with the earliest-known mention of a makeshift holster in the biblical story of David. David slew the giant Goliath using a well-aimed stone taken from a sack: the first known holster.

Since the invention of handguns, there has been a need for holsters to tote them. The first widely used form of gunleather was the pommel holster, which was originally adopted by the military in Europe and then spread to the U.S. colonies. This led to development of the pommel bag holster, which is believed to have roots in the California Gold Rush era when they were favored by armed Wells Fargo escorts.

Early antique holsters like the Slim Jim or California design were among the earliest to bear decorative flourishes like elaborate hand-carved detailing and decorative gold, silver, and brass accents. The arrival of the Mexican loop gun holster into the United States from northern Mexico filled a need for more flexible carry options that incorporated gun and cartridge belts for then-new metal cartridges. Frontier-friendly rifle scabbards and cases made from leather, deerskin, and elk hide carried and shrouded long arms during horseback travel.

From the earliest simple loops to fully-tooled flap holsters, antique gunleather pieces are some of the most sought-after items among Western-focused collectors.

Recommended Items at Auction

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Two holsters for pistol 08
May 08, 10:00 AM CEST
Two holsters for pistol 08
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€3000 Bids
Seven holsters for pistols
May 08, 10:00 AM CEST
Seven holsters for pistols
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids
Four Pistol Holsters
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Four Pistol Holsters
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids
Five Pistol Holsters
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Five Pistol Holsters
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids
Seven Pistol Holsters
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Seven Pistol Holsters
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€3000 Bids
A pair of European saddle holsters, 1st half of the 19th century
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
A pair of European saddle holsters, 1st half of the 19th century
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€3000 Bids
A Swedish holster for Lahti
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
A Swedish holster for Lahti
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1000 Bids
A holster for Colt S&W Mod. 1917 and for .38 revolvers
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
A holster for Colt S&W Mod. 1917 and for .38 revolvers
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1000 Bids
Holster for Colt M 1911 and holster for French ordnance revolver M1873
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Holster for Colt M 1911 and holster for French ordnance revolver M1873
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€4000 Bids
Two holsters for French service revolvers
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Two holsters for French service revolvers
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€3000 Bids
Lot of four Swiss handgun holsters, ca. 1910
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Lot of four Swiss handgun holsters, ca. 1910
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2800 Bids
Four holsters for Swiss ordinance pistols
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Four holsters for Swiss ordinance pistols
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€3000 Bids
Six Swiss pistol holsters
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Six Swiss pistol holsters
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids
A Holster for a Webley Pistol 1913 and a Holster for a Webley Revolver Mark 6
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
A Holster for a Webley Pistol 1913 and a Holster for a Webley Revolver Mark 6
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids
A COWBOY HOLSTER FOR THE 1873 COLT PEACEMAKER,
Apr 22, 10:00 AM BST
A COWBOY HOLSTER FOR THE 1873 COLT PEACEMAKER,
by Antony Cribb Ltd
Est: £100- £150
£700 Bids
J.A. McDonald Single Action Army Revolver Holster and Belt
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
J.A. McDonald Single Action Army Revolver Holster and Belt
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $4,500- $7,000
$3,2500 Bids
"Slim Jim/California" Single Action Army Revolver Holster
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
"Slim Jim/California" Single Action Army Revolver Holster
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $2,250- $3,500
$1,6000 Bids
A holster for Reich Revolver M 79
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
A holster for Reich Revolver M 79
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids
A Holster M/91 foa r Reichsrevolver Mod. 1883
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
A Holster M/91 foa r Reichsrevolver Mod. 1883
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1500 Bids
Four Pistol Holsters
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Four Pistol Holsters
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1500 Bids
Three Pistol Holsters
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Three Pistol Holsters
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids
A RARE MEXICAN REVOLUTION-ERA HOLSTER AND BELT
May 17, 10:00 AM MDT
A RARE MEXICAN REVOLUTION-ERA HOLSTER AND BELT
by Auctions Imperial LLC
Est: $150- $250
$750 Bids
WWI U.S. MILLS MODEL 1911 PISTOL HOLSTER BELT AND
May 08, 10:00 AM EDT
WWI U.S. MILLS MODEL 1911 PISTOL HOLSTER BELT AND
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $800- $1,200
$4000 Bids
Three service holsters for pistols (Austria, Germany, Portugal)
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Three service holsters for pistols (Austria, Germany, Portugal)
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€5200 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Antique Holsters


Hermann Historica GmbH

Hermann Historica GmbH

Poulin Antiques & Auctions

Poulin Antiques & Auctions

Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island Auction Company

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC