What comes to mind when you picture a shoulder holster? If you're like a lot of people, it might be the old 1920s gangsters sporting a shoulder gun holster under their suit jacket. But a revolver shoulder holster has origins in the old west. Western holsters for single-action revolvers are where it all started. The shoulder gun holster helped western shooters carry more than one weapon and conceal it when necessary. Western holsters for single-action revolvers evolved over the years to make for a speedier draw. The late 1800s saw the innovation of the clip spring, shoulder gun holster. Moving west created a variety of different needs for guns, and western holsters for single-action revolvers became a product that artisans custom designed.

By the early twentieth century, the cowboy shoulder gun holster was popular. It had a dual purpose. One, to conceal the weapon and two, it was readily available. A cowboy shoulder holster is a design for large-caliber handguns. Both law enforcement and gunfighters used a shoulder gun holster. For one, it meant that you had an extra gun on you. The revolver shoulder holster is a type of shoulder gun holster that allows the firearm to hang under the arm vertically. Of course, there are several configurations when it comes to western holsters for single-action revolvers.

If you wanted a fast draw, then you likely chose a skeleton or clip spring to improve your speed.

Holstory is the history of the innovation of the cowboy shoulder gun holster and more. Renowned craftsman Red Nichols and holster guru John Witty teamed up to create this coffee-table volume in the American history of gun leather. It's packed with full-color photography from Witty's collection. You'll learn about the revolver shoulder holster and find an in-depth review of holsters, catalogs, and advertisements from the most significant cowboy, revolver shoulder holster makers of the twentieth century.

Holstory is a gorgeous coffee table book containing 360 color images along with footnotes to support the history of western holsters for single-action revolvers. It highlights how a shoulder gun holster can mean a better draw because they fit a specific weapon. Red Nichols knows more than anyone on the planet when it comes to gun leather. He apprenticed with world-renowned John Bianchi in 1970. Nichols made a reputation for himself in gun leather, producing many a revolver shoulder holster before his retirement.

His western holsters for single-action revolvers set new benchmarks in gun leather performance and construction for holster companies such as Aker, DeSantis, Galco, Shooting Systems, and many more. If you want to find out more about old west holsters, check out our blog. We offer lots of information about everything from your favorite revolver shoulder holster to history on cowboy gun leather. You can also purchase Holstory online.