Types of Holsters Worn by Famous Frontiersmen

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In our last blog, we discussed the history of the holster. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what kind of holsters famous frontiersmen and gunmen wore to help you decide on what style of holster you may prefer. Contact us today for your Kydex holster supplies!

TYPES OF HOLSTERS WORN BY FAMOUS FRONTIERSMEN

Wild Bill Hickok

Wild Bill Hickok, outside of Jesse James, is perhaps the best known gunslinger (a term that only came into use in the 1920s) during the days of the Wild West from after the Civil War to the late 1880s. Hickok was very well known for his proficiency with a pistol. He and most of his contemporaries carried their revolvers or six-shooters butt forward in a belt holster or a scabbard. When guns were worn this way, it was easy for the shooter to grasp the revolver by the butt. Then they would put their thumb over the hammer and simultaneously put their index finger on the trigger to pull. This way, the gun can be easily cocked, aimed, and then fired in one movement quickly.

Holster Builder notes that Hickok carried revolvers of different calibers throughout his lifetime. From photographs, we know he used an open-top holster with the butt-forward of his gun. He used a belt holster mainly. His favorite was Colt Navy revolvers and shot these most of his life. He was buried, however, with a .50-caliber Springfield Model rifle, which was then stolen from the coffin.

Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp is synonymous with the O.K. Corral shootout in the town of Tombstone when he was a lawma in 1881. They had moved to Tombstone to hopefully make money in the silver mines, but Virgil Earp, Wyatt’s brother, had kept his deputy marshal job, so Earp became deputy sheriff. The holster and gun that Wyatt Earp wore during the famous O.K. Corral shootout still exists. He wore a belt holster that was designed for right-handers with a triple drop loop holster and a loop that angeled upwards. Some dispute if Wyatt Earp actually wore this holster during the fight or he carried his gun in his coat pocket. Either way, it was the setup that he used.

Doc Holliday

Doc Holliday gained fame mainly from his friendship with his friend, Wyatt Earp, and his role in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He was a dentist (hence the title doctor), and while he lived in Texas, he saved Wyatt’s life and became friends. Hence, they moved to Tombstone together, and the rest they say is history.

Doc Holliday sported one of the newest types of holsters, the shoulder holster. While we do know that Doc Holliday carried a nickel Colt 1873 revolver, Holster Builder notes that it is unverified if he used his shoulder holster during the infamous gunfight.

HOW HOLSTER BUILDER CAN HELP

By tracing history and the use of holsters, we can see how others used theirs and gain ideas from them. When it comes to holsters, it all comes down to comfort and style for some. When you use the best leather holster supplies, such as Kydex, Boltaron, and Phantom, along with the rest of the gun holster making supplies you’ll need, you can create a custom holster exactly for your needs very similar to the early lawmen who had to make their own. The best part about making your own custom holster is you can tweak it as needed.

When you partner with Holster Builder, you can rest assured that you will get every gun holster making supply you need. Order online from us today!