John Bianchi’s first holster

[AK2]

I actually work for John, as a personal assistant and at his shop, Frontier Gunleather. He brought this in to work the other day, he thinks he made it about 1959, in his garage. He was a Monrovia policeman at the time, and just didn’t care for the duty holsters available at the time. So he made this one, wore it to work, and started getting requests from the other officers to make holsters for them, too. That turned into a full-time career, with millions of holsters sold. But it all started with this one-

 

[rperyam]

I guess I never knew he was left-handed. It looks like an old pro made it, not a first effort. Very nice, thanks for sharing.

 

[AK2]

I guess I never knew he was left-handed. It looks like an old pro made it, not a first effort. Very nice, thanks for sharing.

I should have clarified, this was his first duty holster that he made, by hand. He’d been making leather belts and cowboy holsters since he was a kid.

 

[rperyam]

Is that logo with the horseshoe still used? I don’t recognize it from my Bianchi holsters that I own.

 

[Roverguy]

Well, that right there is pretty cool. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[AK2]

Is that logo with the horseshoe still used? I don’t recognize it from my Bianchi holsters that I own.

No, John had no company or logo at this point in his career. Just his initials in a horseshoe.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

Very cool. He has the horseshoe upside down though. All the luck runs out that way.

 

[Jimfern]

Very cool. He has the horseshoe upside down though. All the luck runs out that way.

His boot must have caught the luck because it looks like his life turned out alright.

 

[Electrod47]

Thanks for sharing. I'm a long time fan. Almost took a job with him when he first moved to Temecula, But I was bound for Arizona.

 

[.38 Special]

Thank you for the interesting contribution.

How does the holster differ from the Jordan Trooper of the same era?

 

[earlthegoat2]

He was a Monrovia policeman at the time, and just didn’t care for the duty holsters available at the time.

I kind of wonder if he just didnt care for the LH options. They were probably somewhat lacking back then. Still, necessity was the mother.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Thank you for sharing the story with us.
Posts like yours are why I enjoy this site so much.

A big Bianchi fan here.

JT

 

[dieselchief]

if i recall correctly he did all his adds personally. knife in one hand, gun in other...

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

John Bianchi and Sam Meyers are leather work Legends in our sport.
Thanks for posting the picture and story.

 

[bannockburn]

AK2

That right there is something very cool to learn about! My first holsters were both Bianchi's: a # 6 clip-on IWB and a #9 upside-down shoulder holster for a Charter Arms Undercover.

 

[ilgac]

I like Bianchi holsters as well and have several.

A few years ago I bought several used holsters and this one was included. I believe it is for a small frame single action revolver.

The only markings are BIANCHI over the number 1 which I assume indicates a size however I cannot find it in any of the Bianchi application charts.

It is well made and still serviceable. I’ll find a revolver for it one day.

 

[Gordon]

I have a Tio Sam Meyers 4" K frame holster almost Identical to his first, with patent #s on back and made 1950 as far as I can tell . It is in great shape and now houses my Nickle 32-20 S&W1905 4th change from 1936 . It is one fast rig , low and off set ! I take a photo today.
BTW thanks for sharing this!

 

[Gordon]

John Bianchi and Sam Meyers are leather work Legends in our sport.
Thanks for posting the picture and story.

 

[Whiskeyhotel2020]

Found this while going through some of dad's stuff. I believe he got it at the '92 NRA convention while we we stationed in Texas. Bianchi #50 Chapman Hi Ride were his and my favorite holster. I'll cover that in another post.