AN INTERESTING LITTLE FIND (NON-RUGER-RELATED)

[Anonymous]

I was wandering around inside a local area gun shop earlier today and saw this little holster stuck over in a corner of one of the cases. There wasn't any gun anywhere in the display case that would even come close to fitting into it.

So I asked the guy to let me see it. Turns out it's a Lawrence holster made for a S&W .357 Combat Magnum with a 4-inch barrel. Like a Model 19 or a Model 66. The "R" stamped on the back indicates the hammer loop instead of a retention strap, and the "C" means it's lined with chamois. The holster is in great shape. Looks as if there may have been a rivet on the back loop, but I can't imagine what it would have been for. I'm sure they're around, but I haven't seen too many old lined Lawrence holsters, and even fewer with a hammer loop. This one fits on a 2.25-inch belt very nicely.

Bottom line? I gave the guy twenty-five bucks for it and brought it home with me. Now I may start looking for a 19 or a 66 to carry around in it.

 

[Mike Armstrong]

Dontcha just love those old boxes of used holsters? I think that MIGHT just fit a 4" Security Six or Service Six, too. That would make it "Ruger-related"!

 

[cellar701]

Very nice! Found an old ad from the 1950s for the Lawrence holsters - yours was $6 for the plain holster and added chamois lining was additional $2.10.

If you don't have a Smith Model 19 to slip into that holster you should really get one. A snubbie Model 19 in may safe has the absolute best revolver trigger (this one happens to be DAO) I have ever handled/shot. Rugers are great guns, but the Smith trigger/action...

 

[Huhwhat?]

Nice leather!

I love old holster bins. I very rarely buy new holsters. They take too long to get the character of a used one.

 

[Anonymous]

Very nice! Found an old ad from the 1950s for the Lawrence holsters - yours was $6 for the plain holster and added chamois lining was additional $2.10. If you don't have a Smith Model 19 to slip into that holster you should really get one.

Hey, thanks for the info from that old advertisement. It's those little details that make my little find more interesting to me. I did have a 19 back in the seventies...think it was a 19-3, but back then I never paid that much attention to model variations. It had a gorgeous blue job. Regarding getting another, I've actually been looking on places like Gun Broker and Guns International. They're out there...and I'd definitely want a pinned and recessed one. I also have one more Old Model Ruger sort of waiting in the wings for me to buy, so not sure how I'd swing two guns any time soon. We'll see what happens, I guess.

 

[Colonel Daddy]

Good catch! Guess you've noticed the crazy prices for 120 holsters on GB, and they stay on there for months! Purchased one several years ago for a 4 5/8 Blackhawk that was sheep skin (fur) lined, left hand. Old Model fits perfect, New Model a little snug! Have no catalogs but stitching looks original. Never seen another. Always on the lookout for any 120 lined holster!