Pocket Holsters in the Old West
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Another great episode Santee. Thank ya. 🤠
You're welcome.
Good one Santee, always appreciated when you show us the antiques that are still around as well as the new ones that those living the good life make today to keep the Ole West alive. In my teens my first job I worked at a club that also rented little cabins it was a kind of tavern/inn on an old Federal Highway and the old Gentleman that owned the place like many of the men his age seemed to do carried his revolver in his back pocket and did so in a holster that looked similar to some of the ones you showed. At 16 I was washing dishing and learned to cook steaks, fries, fried chicken, oysters & shrimp. Made a whole dollar an hour, that was a long time ago, lol.
$1 an hour! Dang...
Dadburn! You had an old revolver guy like myself drooling glassy eyed over that nickel plated break top revolver!
Yeah, it's got like 90% nickel still.
I daily carry a single stack 9mm with a 4" barrel, butt down in my pocket. It settles in perfect and is fairly easy to draw out, which I've had to do twice (didn't have to go as far as firing). It's very comfortable and I forget that it's even there. Tried it with a double stack and it bugged me all day. So, as long as it's the right size, no problem.
That seems perfect!
Another good one Santee. I often carry a pocket gun these days, and always use a pocket holster. Mine was custom made and has my initials on it. Keep up the hard work, you always give my Weekend a great start😊
Very cool, Norman!
Good video Santee! Personally I carry a 32 in my pocket just for fun!
yeeehaw!
Carrying a concealed pistol always presents the possibility of a snag on clothing so fore thought and practice draw are important. And as far as that AGR logo in the holster drawing goes it will help in a smooth draw... Well done !!!
Much appreciated!
What Bill did there reminded me of a pocket pistol I saw that was designed to be fired through your pocket! I'll have to find it again and send it to you. Awesome video Santee!
Black powder starts a lot of clothing fires. Ed Masterson got shot and it set his shirt on fire.
Good morning at 0652 in Flagstaff. 10 degrees. A lovely morning 🌄 and another great video. The story of pocket pistols in the Old West is often overlooked, except by serious Old West lore lovers. Thanks. Its fascinating that a pocket pistol was really made to be. concealed and fit into pockets.
Much appreciated!
This episode brings to life an old saying to mind from Mae West "is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you glad to see me?". Although, leather tends to dry out without an oil, the sweat and body oil tends to lessen the stiffness of the pocket holster, and depending on the size of the pistol, and type of coat, it could be easily identified if the wearer is carrying a pistol by the position of the pistol and holster. The wearer needs to feel comfortable while carrying. Apart from that, it was an excellent video again Santee.
Good points.I menionted large caliber full size guns were not preferred pocket carry arms. I guess we may never know the whole story on them fellers and how they did it.
@@ArizonaGhostriders maybe, also could you do an episode on how to keep leather from drying out.
Best part is, there are plenty of independent leather workers out there who can custom make pocket holsters for the less than popular pistols out there. Which, for some models, will be the only option.
Yes, there are plenty.
Good ideas from the past sure haven't changed much. Keep 'em coming Santee.
Thank you!
As always another great video 👍👍 ... Loved the coat pocket fire at the end .. I used to use a derringer in our old west gun fight shows (Golden gunfighters and Colorado Association of Western Gunfighters and Stuntmen) which I had in a holster sewn into the back of the left side of my batwing chaps and my pistol on my right side was still tied down with the hammer strap .. got a lot of laughs because everyone thought I was going to lose the draw but weren't they surprised 🤣😅 especially the guy I was going against the first time I did that ... He was like what the ..... LoL .. then it was incorporated into the show as my regular gun fight although I am extremely fast with regular quick draw ... Well I'll be looking forward to your next video ..as always be safe and God Bless. .. 🤠 JD Hawkins aka Don E in Denver Colorado
That's fun! Thanks for sharing.
i got mine. great video.lost a lot of weight in the past 2 years and thanks to your videos i knew which outfit to get when i was a Tombstone last sunday.going from size 40 to 36 is great but costs money in new clothes.FYI,great prices at Tombstone. Bronco Mercantile has good selection of outfits. back in the saddle again.
Yes, it's my go-to place also. Thanks for watching.
I did not know that pocket holsters were a thing. I thought they had the guns in the pocket without any holster, but this makes more sense now then I know about them.
I learned a good bit, too.
How interesting. I love this stuff Santee. It's amazing info and so historical. Thanks again Amigo.
My pleasure, Ralph!
Great one! Hardins method of barrel up pocket carry sounds intriguing, in the dumbest and most amazing of ways. I figure it comes down to training and practice, and living long enough to get that far.
I practiced it and found it to work fine (albeit weird). However, the guns kept shifting around while I moved, putting them out of position. Hmmm....
I'm guessing it's to keep the hammer spurs from catching.
@@762M80 Perhaps!
It's always great to learn more about gun types in the Old West. Thanks!
You're welcome.
I wear "Wyoming Traders" CCW vests and coats. Fair value, good quality, comfortable, secure, adaptable, no print carry. I never go out alone.
Good vests!
Hi Santee! Good Video as always! Could you do one about automatic pistols in the old west?
Yes
I'm a simple man. I see a S&W in the thumbnail I hit like.
HAHA! Aw c'mon, you're a sucker for the T-Rex!
Thank you Santee for taking me Along on another wonderful trip into the past ! I own a .44 caliber percussion derringer and now I’ve got ideas for my western impression . As always , thank you for keeping the Old West alive !
Rock on!
This channel deserve much more attention! ❤
Glad you think so!
Howdy Santee! Another excellent episode! Always seems that pocket pistols from that era are always portrayed as just Remington or Sharps style Derringers in the movies, but there was an amazing assortment of calibers and sizes of revolvers to be found! (Funny clip to watch on youtube is "Brett Maverick's Many Hideout Guns"). Thanks again Santee!
Thank you! Yep, did a video on some of them
Great video! Proof that necessity is the mother of invention!
Yes!
That was very interesting and well done Santee. Keep up the great work.
Thank you!
This is perfect timing Santee, thank you! I'm getting ready to work on a pocket holster design for an NAA 22lr revolver. The customer wants an integrated pocket for a little five shot speed loader pod along with the pistol. (I even used it as an excuse to get an NAA for myself! 😁) Richard at S.C.A.R. does some amazing work and I have used him for inspiration as well. I have two of those little .32 top breaks and I've been waiting for his Schofield shoulder rig so I can "borrow" some ideas! Another great video as always, thanks again Santee!
Wow, you got some projects ahead! Good luck with 'em.
Thanks for another great video Santee! What about one on some of the "other" concealed methods for guns? Like the Barnes Boot Pistol, sleeve pistols (on and off mechanical devices), or the suspender (not shoulder holster) mounted pistols? I remember the Barnes and the suspender pistols from one of the Time Life Old West books. I believe they were in the Gunfighters book, but it has been ALOT of years since I've seen my copy so I could be mistaken. Some of these you may have covered before but my recollection on it is a bit foggy at the moment. God Bless!
I , too always wondered about the “sleeve gun” as seen in The Wild, Wild West and the movie Silverado. Is there any basis in fact for this device? I remember reading about a spring clip type of wristband which held a Derringer but haven’t seen anything else.
Maybe some more concealed carry videos are in order...
@@ArizonaGhostriders Yes, please do.
Hey Santee, I remember reading a book years ago, I think it was called "Journal of a Cowboy". The writer I believe was a Texan. He said that Arizona cowboys were known for carrying their pistols in their pockets and shooting them without drawing them, i.e. shooting thru their pants. He said it would set their pants on fire.
Well, now, I have never heard that. Coulda just been one guy, too. You know how Texans like to embellish a story.
Another great episode Santee! Something I meant to bring up, when my wife and I were down in Cochise County for the week of my birthday/Ok Corral Gunfight Anniversary last year, we ate at this amazing German restaurant in Huachuca. It got me thinking, I know you guys did an episode on immigration in the old west, but may a few episodes here and there each on a specific immigrant group would be pretty cool. Delicious schnitzel gets one brain thinking that way.
Hmmm.....I'll think about that. So, it was good eh?
@@ArizonaGhostriders it was soooo good.
Santee, we always learn something(s) new. Thanks for the research, video clips, pics, etc. Your entertaining, informative format is absolutely tops. YIPPEE and YAHOO 🤠👏👏💥
Much appreciated!
Great information on the old little pistols and pocket holsters. I bet a big part of your success is the time you spend answering every comment. Great example for other KZheadrs.
Thank you! Since a lot of them are questions regarding the era, I feel answering them is important.
I didn’t realize pocket holsters were in that big of demand. It makes sense though thank you for the information.
It seems they still are.
Wow duke Frazier and I just found a picture of a colt 22 open top in a pocket holster it was completely enclosed and had a coin purse clip latch
No way! Cool. What year?
@@ArizonaGhostriders the gun was an 1871
Back around the early 1920's my grandfather and a friend went from Marietta, GA to Atlanta, GA on the streetcar, to do some shopping one winter Saturday. His friend bought a pair of dress shoes, and as you had to wear the shoes for a while to break them in, the friend put them on while they walked around Atlanta shopping and whatever else they were doing. Eventually my grandfather's friend said that he had a bunion on his foot and the shoes were really starting to hurt his bunion and he was ready to go back home. So they boarded a streetcar to head back to Marietta, which was around 25 miles north of Atlanta. While still inside the city of Atlanta, the streetcar made a stop and a "rough looking man" (my grandfather's description) got on board and as the car was full, the rough looking man stood in the aisle, but he unfortunately stood on my grandfather's friend's sore foot. The friend told the man to get off his foot, while giving the fellow a small push. The rough looking fellow cursed my grandfather's friend roundly. The friend sternly told the guy, "Don't you curse me!" At that, the rough guy pulled out a knife. My grandfather told me, "I didn't even know he had it in his overcoat pocket, but he didn't even pull it out, he shot that man straight through his coat pocket killing him." My grandfather went on to say the police came and took them both down to the station to question them about what happened. Among the questions they asked the friend was, "How did you know you were going to hit him, shooting through your coat pocket?" The friend replied, "You come at me with a knife and see if I don't shoot you." I asked my grandfather what the police did to his friend. My grandfather's reply, "They hired him." According to my grandfather, true story.
That's an incredible story!
Well done Santee!! "Wardrobe Malfunction" Good one!!
Thanks.
Pocket carry pistol wardrobe malfunction... There’s a mouthful! Add the likely injury description and now I need a beer! Congratulations on your channel’s growth! You sure are getting up there!
Thank you!
Really like that one. Cool ancestor to lcp and the like. I want to make one for my Derringer. Thanks for bringing to us. Keep them rolling. 🤠👍
Much appreciated!
I wonder how much demand there would be for a “how-to” on putting a leather lining inside a sack or frock coat pocket for a pocket or hideout pistol draw.
British Bespoke Tailors still offer a leather lined 'Watch Pocket'. Jackets from companies such as Barbour, have similar internal lined pockets, though larger reffered to as 'Poachers Pockets'. It's amazing what can fit in those and , dosen't show. :-)
Well, for gunfight shows, it might not fly really well. People wanna see the gunbelts and holsters. But, I may buy a coat from Goodwill and have someone do that just to see the result.
I personally know David Grasse’ from where we live, he does carry this very nice pocket holster, know that he is carrying. It was a great way to conceal back in our time period. Hence pocket carry holster. Good job David & Santee for doing video.
Much appreciated! I would guess you're one of that band of gunslingers up there?
@@ArizonaGhostriders yez I am one, sorry ma & pa.
@@KidYuma1880 Awesome!
We’re you at grease wood park when you filmed the intro
No, "Prickly Pear Park"
Dangit, Santee! Another great video as expected. So good that I forgot to drink my coffee after I started the video... This is the first time that I have forgotten to drink my coffee, and have been imbibing that beautiful bean water since 1974.
Wow, thanks!
I like that Lemon Squeezer.(produced from 1887 to 1940 according to Wikipedia) Typically I like grip safeties, but the one I shot needed a death grip in order to release it to fire.
I've never fired one. Good info!
I have been carrying my edc pistol in 9mm in a pocket holster for the past 10 years. My job isn't conducive to wearing an iwb or open carry holster so I carry my 9mm Ruger LC 9S in a pocket holster in my rt side thigh pocket. It's awfully reassuring when going into some seedier parts of town
I'd say! Thank you!
Great video santee👍thanks as usual for educating us in cowboy and old west history
You're welcome.
My wifes relation had been a Ft Smith Deputy Marshal in Arkansas. He got killed about in the same circumstance as Dallas Stoudamire. Anyway my FIL inherited his and another Navy pistols. One was in a holster with no belt loop and as thin as paper. Im sure it was a pocket holster. Dad took the 2 Navys to a gunsmith to see if they could be fired. The gunsmith looked them over and told him that the one in the holster had been used alot as it had different parts # on it while the other had all the same markings. He said that the one that wasnt changed out likely belonged to a soldier that came home and seldom had a use for it, and the one in the holster had been used alot.
Now that is some terrific family history right there.
Excellent video my friend. I found carrying the weapon with the barrel up in the pocket very interesting. Don't know that I would take that chance but he probably practiced a lot more than I would.
I practiced it and found it fine for the action of it, but awkward for the carry part. But we can't argue with him!
Visiting family in Serra Vista last weekend, we made a trip over to tombstone. Had lunch at Big Nose Kate's. Met some of your posse. Bought a couple of hats. All in all, we had a good time. Enjoy your videos. keep up the good work. And maybe we'll see y'all down the trail.
Thanks, Douglas! Glad you had fun.
This was a good video! And now knowing they also got pocket holsters for small pocket guns in the old west, I definitely will be making one for a Webley Bulldog when I get one.
COol!
Another awesome episode. Just never long enough. Lol
Thank you!
Those holsters seem to mire about concealing the shape, closer to a billfold or another kind of case people would have had at the time
Yes, great point.
Hi Santee fun fact when ever I watch someone's video for some reason I always say hello out loud 😅 like you can hear Me. Another amazing video mate.. that was fine looking vintage pistol to..something new Zealand will never be allowed is carrying weapons we can't even carry a pocket knife on our person..in a car is bad enough here.. have an amazing week my friend much love
I heard ya Izeak!
Another great video Santee. I was in Tucson over the weekend of the 20th, but was on business as my brother passed away. Sure was great to be home, even for a short time.
My condolences to your family. Glad you got to see the town again, though.
Good topic Santee, thank you. If I had a pocket holster I figured I would do a Bill. Good to see Rex getting some fresh air.
You bet
I carry a modern 38 revolver in a pocket holster. I need to get a period piece to carry. Thanks for the video and the idea, Santee.
You're welcome, Eric.
Wow John Wesley Hardin carried it Barrel up. that's interesting. I wonder what advantage that gives you. The only thing I could think of. is it would be harder to fall out of your pocket.🤔
I think that was part of it. But I practiced it and it does work. However, walking around shifted the whole thing around in the pocket.
@@ArizonaGhostriders I have to try it as well. Its crazy requiring him to use his fine motor skills in high-stress. But what do I know. he was in allot more gun fights then me. There has to be good reason. I was thinking it maybe to do with some towns not allowing you to carry in the city limits. It might be a way to disguise the fact he has a gun on him. i dont think that would be a good way to disguise it. I dont know but I really want to try it and see if I can figure it out. Thanks Santee
I always carry a small handgun in my back pocket! Holsters dont work when you need it most
I have found it's just easier sometimes to just stick it in a pocket.
Omg the skit in the end is why I love black powder but I'll never pocket the snubby
Thank You!
My little .32 S&W would be sweet in a pocket holster. Thanks for the inspiration!
You bet
I carry a North American arms five shot 22 magnum ever since my mustang was stolen and my 22 Derringer without grips but mounted in a leather wallet with a finger slit disappeared in Vegas.
Sorry!
Thanks again Santee & Co. Here in South Carolina we haven't quite passed carry without a permit yet . Hopefully next season . But we do have open or concealed with permit ,which isn't hard to get . I carry a Kahr K9 in a leather rig inside waistband made by Galco in Phoenix AZ . I open carry my Browning Buckmark in a nylon rig which has a pocket for two ten round magazines . Thanks for the video , Pardner .
You're welcome.
I was surprised that the holding clip for the trigger guard was used all the way back then. I thought the co. using it now had a new idea. I guess it's true there nothing new under the sun.
Right?
Is that a pistol in my pocket?.... or am I just happy to see you upload, the world my never know!!!
LOL!
Santee, the arts of pistol packing were refined further during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s by New York City fashion designers and gadget inventors (similar to "Q" the quartermaster for 007 James Bond) Chic Gaylord and Paris Theodore, holster makers to customers like NYPD Detectives and Federal spook agency operatives. Later followed by many retired cops like Eugene DiSantis. Some of their designs and actual products are still in use just made for modern tupperware high capacity sidearms. It was interesting to see where it all began in your presentation.
Great extra info! Thanks.
Very awesome and very informative video, I really liked and enjoyed it. Great job and well done on the awesomely awesome and informative interesting video. I definitely got a lot of inspiration for the old west inspired novel series I’m writing book 1 for.
Thank you very much!
@@ArizonaGhostriders thanks and your welcome 👍🏼😎🌟
I like that Arizona offers concealed carry without a permit. Free men don’t ask permission to bear arms. All 50 states should do that with concealed AND open carry, in my humble opinion. Great video, Santee! I’m digging all these unique holsters!
Thanks, BJ! I am amazed at some states' gun laws. Er.....restrictions.
@@ArizonaGhostriders I am as well, and not in a good way. That’s not what the Founding Fathers intended.
I wonder if many people carried Derringers in their hats. Nice presentation.
Hollywood has us believe they did, but I've yet to see a hat with a gun-securing...uh...thing.
@@ArizonaGhostriders More of an "up-the-sleeve" weapon then? And thank you all again. I miss living in Pheonix.
Settled on packet carry myself a while back. A LONG while back. I traded my LCP version 1 for a hellcat with ared dot. At about 70, iron sights are no longer friendly to me. Gotta love cargo pants.
Yes!
Good morning Santee, Another excellent video, keep up the awesome work! Thank you for sharing.
You're welcome.
Ot's neat to see, some of the old west technology is still just as useful today!
Yes!
Hey Santee, I am always enjoying my weekend History Shows. Thanks 😊! Got to go, I am sure you have no time to be drawn in a conversation 😉😜🤪. Keep up the great work 👍.
Thank you!
Loved it!!!
You're welcome.
Great info !! Thanks Santee !!
Any time!
cool stuff. thanks for the review
You're welcome.
Hello Arizona Ghost Riders. I'd like to see more historic holsters. You portray interest on the type of holsters that were in existence at that time. Thanks for the video man
Sounds good
Your editing is very well done along with everything else
Much appreciated!
Great little video on an interesting subject. If it was good for Hardin it's probably good for anyone!
Yeah! Unless you get assassinated from behind.
Another fantastic video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very interesting how the different holsters were designed. I have a colt that was my grandfathers but don’t have a holster for it
There are plenty out there, repros and custom ones. All very nice.
Very awesome informative and interesting video, I definitely learned a lot more about fire arms of the old West for my old West inspired novel series I’m writing. When I’m writing book 1 of my old West inspired novel series, I’ll be adding in the weapons of the old west into the story.
Cool
@@ArizonaGhostriders thanks👍🏼😎🌟 I’ll be making my books world a little more of a wilderness/old west frontier type world with some supernatural astral and etheric realms and dimensions as well as a false reality/simulation
Thank you for this information
You're welcome.
Thank you! That was quite informative!
You're welcome.
Terrific. Great information.
Thank you!
Santee, excellent episode. Those holsters are very interesting. Thanks!
You're welcome.
Great topic to cover. Well done sir. Stay safe out there, and take it easy man. 😎
Thank you!
Hi santee my friend sorry I’m late but I’m so busy at our family restaurant which gets so busy there’s some amazing gun very interesting santee really enjoyed watching and in full not one person mentioned my son in the video who helped me put this dish together so it proves that people just skip my videos what’s the point of in all this have a nice day buddy 👍
Not all people skip around, John. But it happens here, too. My average video watch is 3 minutes.
Another hit! Entertaining and I learned something new... Thank YOU! 🤠
You bet!
Very informative Santee!
Thank you!
Love this channel 🤠
Thank you!
Very informative. I thoroughly enjoyed it
Thank you!
Interesting and fun. Thanks.
You're welcome.
Thank you for another great and informative episode. 👍👍
Our pleasure!
Very cool! At first glance it looks like a pocket walat, but with a holster attach! Pretty neat!
Much appreciated!
@@ArizonaGhostriders 🇺🇦
I love your vids!
Thank you! Much appreciated!
Hey Sante, love your videos i was thinking, in you gun videos you talk about carving and engraving, do you think you can make one on how their made?
Sure!
Love Richards channel and yours
Thank you!
I have a little 32 cal Harrington & Richardson top but since it was meant to fire after more then 100 years so I took care of that :) I only paid a little over $300., so many were built.
Neat!!! Keep it always.
@@ArizonaGhostriders ammo is a little scares for it but a fun little popper ;)
@@jeffreysnethen9586 It gets the job done.
@@ArizonaGhostriders true;)
Very nice revolver an holster i love it.
Much appreciated!
Really enjoyed the video. Thanks
Glad to hear it!
Such a Great Show !
🤠🤠