Old gun holsters

[isabella1]

Anyone know about these things. I have one that's alligator skin. I believe it holds a revolver. The other one has a belt also looks like it holds pretty long revolver. The one with the belt has the name Hunter on it. I don't know a single thing about this.

 

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[drbecker]

Hunter is a low priced maker of holsters still in business

Holsters & Accessories by Hunter Company

The other gator holster looks homemade hard to say vintage.

 

[woodstock]

My humble opinion they both look to be vintage and when you check the Hunter Company see how long they've been around or when they where established . Send them better pictures of the Holster you have with Hunter on it . I say this because you didn't say it said " Hunter Co " or have other information so it might be one of the first one made , is the Buckle Nickle or Silver ? Is it permanent or removable ?
And although my eyes are old I believe the Gator Holster is vintage because I see old leather and the fact that it must have been awhile back cause for many years it was against the law to have ANYTHING made from Gator ... is it still ?? But out of the two the Gator one is very collectible and the are both for longer barrel revolvers ... nice stuff there ! IMHO , Woodstock

 

[Frank1960]

Hmm I don't suppose any of them holds a .357? Been looking for a belt with cartridge holder for .38/.357 rounds I have a hunter holster. Have you looked closely where it says hunter to see if there is a number or look at under the tongue of the belt if it says "Ahhhh" drop it and run LOL

 

[surf]

And although my eyes are old I believe the Gator Holster is vintage because I see old leather and the fact that it must have been awhile back cause for many years it was against the law to have ANYTHING made from Gator ... is it still ??

Hello woodstock,

I'm not sure what you're disremembering here, but I'm unaware of any prohibition against Alligator skins, past or present.

There's a current television show on the History Channel that celebrates their harvesting.

 

[austin]

You didn't say what you paid, but they are worth some bucks. The gator holster was designed to hold a 7 1/2 colt single action army. I have seen them before. Great finds. Really great...

 

[isabella1]

They were in a box with some old tool belts, paid $15 for the box. I figured the holsters were worth the $. Any idea what they may be worth? I will have to check the hunter one better tomorrow for more markings. I don't think there is any markings on the gator one. Thank you al for your help!

 

[arapahoscout]

Those are very nice. I don't know about value, but I do know it takes a long time to age leather. That buckle is really cool too. What is it made of?

 

[isabella1]

It's not sterling. Now really sure. Nickle maybe

 

[isabella1]

It's not sterling. Now really sure. Nickle maybe

*not

 

[woodstock]

By Carl Sommers
Published: January 20, 1991

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Here Ya go Surf ... I haven't dis-remembered zip , I just couldn't remember everything and I was told this years ago from a business owner .
Even though this attachment isn't super old I remember there was a import issue with apparel made from Gators .. and that was in the 70's or early 80's . It might have been because they were manufactured in a factory for commercial sales , I can't say .

Alligator and Crocodile Skins
Q. How can one find out if it is O.K. to bring goods made of crocodile or alligator into the United States from abroad? -- Randall-Scott Ross, New York, N.Y.
A. Under the Endangered Species Act it is illegal to bring into the United States many products made from the skin of alligators, crocodiles or related reptiles called caimans. If brought into the United States, watchbands, shoes, purses, belts and other goods made from endangered species can be confiscated with no recompense to the owner. It is quite difficult to determine on your own which species an item is made of, and buyers must rely on the word of merchants that their goods may legally be brought back home.
Items made of American alligator -- generally exported from this country and then processed and often sold abroad -- are not endangered and may be brought into the United States, so long as they are for personal, not commercial, use. The skins of most crocodile species are prohibited. Of three species of caiman, which live in Central and South America, two are banned. One of these, Caiman crocodilus yacare, is often passed off as the common caiman, the species that is legal. Only an expert to tell the skins apart, a spokesman for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service said. Lizard-skin products originally from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela and India, Nepal and Pakistan are banned, as are snakeskin products originating in Latin America and some Asian countries, including India, and all sea turtle products.

When a traveler arrives in the United States with an item made of reptile skin (or any other possibly endangered species like coral), Customs agents inspect the goods. Any questionable items are then inspected by a Fish and Wildlife agent, who may take the goods away either permanently or until it can be further examined by experts. Generally, forfeiture is the penalty for bringing in banned products, though repeat offenders, especially those trying to smuggle quantities of such goods, can be fined up to $25,000.

And I didn't just crawl out from under a rock and I watch Swamp People ... "Shoot 'Em~Shoot 'Em !" and I realize the purpose for the harvest and their meat is sold to restaurants . Can you tell me who buys the hides and were to buy Gator apparel ? HH , Woodstock

 

[austin]

They were in a box with some old tool belts, paid $15 for the box. I figured the holsters were worth the $. Any idea what they may be worth? I will have to check the hunter one better tomorrow for more markings. I don't think there is any markings on the gator one. Thank you al for your help!

Used to be partners in an antique store, but am not an expert. I have sold stuff like this easily because they are rare and popular. Worth from $100+. Don't know where you are, but the SASS folks(dress old west and play cowboy) will pay big money for old holsters. You seem to have a great eye for things. Congratulations... By the way, a 5 1/2 inch barrel single action colt will work great in that gator holster too. For an idea, go to a grocery store or bookstore and check out a magazine called "Guns of the Old West". Be sitting down when you check the holster ads.

 

[diggummup]

I always buy holsters when they are cheap. I've been able to sell everyone I listed. Nice finds.

I never seen to find the guns that go with them though.